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Hanging baskets usually lead empty lives in the winter. Why not give them a makeover and add a new dimension to your Christmas decorations? They can take any form your imagination leads you, indoors or out. It's not difficult.
Get a clean basket and a good supply of seasonal greenery - connifer twigs, ivy, holly - whatever looks good for the festive season. I used Leylandii and variegated ivy.
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Weave the greenery into the frame of the basket, taking everything in the same direction. it looks better that way.
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Make sure the bottom is well covered too.
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Add something of a contrasting colour or texture to give it a bit more interest. I used variegated ivy.
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Line the interior cavity with plastic and fill it with whatever takes your fancy. I piled it high with baubles and gold-painted cones for indoor use (twirl tinsel round the chains too for a real glitzy look!). Seasonal house plants (Poinsettia?) would also look good.
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Alternatively, if you have somewhere outdoors to hang it ( a porch perhaps) decorate it with Christmassy bits and pieces, fill it with sand and put a few candles in the sand. I used gold sprayed fir cones as mine will be hung outside on a bracket. It can be hung inside as well if you have a strong beam or similar from which to hang it with clear space above so that the candles will not be a fire hazzard. The sand makes it heavy so whatever it is hung on (and with) will need to be strong. You can use less sand if the interior is raised a bit first with something light like folded cardboard but have enough sand to keep a fire proof base for the candles. Alternatively, if lighted candles are a concern, use battery powered imitations.
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Over to you! Why not post your own creations to the website so that we can all get inspiration.
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