Today I want to share a simple but striking festive arrangement using a foraged branch and paper decorations – ideal if you need a bit of last-minute Christmas inspiration, or you don’t have much spare time to spend decking the halls.
It was inspired by arrangements created by fellow bloggers Elisabeth Heier and Carla Sofie Molge, and it was incredibly easy to do – I just chopped a nicely shaped section of branch off a tree in the garden, placed it in a glass vase and added some decorations in blush-pink and grey (always one of my favourite colour combinations). I also stood a trio of paper trees on the surface beneath, tucking the hanging strings inside the folds to hide them from view.
The decorations I used actually came from Rose & Grey’s 2017 Christmas collection (you can see how I styled them then here), but they have similar ones this year, too. You can also find a wide selection of paper decorations at Amara and Mon Pote.
If you want to have a go at doing something similar, try to use a heavy-based vase so that it can support the branch; if you don’t have anything sturdy enough, you can always add some pebbles to weigh it down. And of course you don’t have to stick to paper decorations – just bear in mind that anything too heavy is likely to make everything topple over.
I’ve placed my arrangement on the console table in our hallway, as I wanted to create a festive atmosphere to greet guests when they arrive, but it would look fantastic on a mantlepiece or hearth, too. You could even use it as a centrepiece in the middle of your dining table, or have a larger floor-standing version in place of a traditional Christmas tree.
All photography by Abi Dare
Marlene Fao says
Such a beautiful look! The paper decorations are gorgeous, I think I will keep an eye on those when I’ll be on the look for new baubles. Thanks for the links!
Abi says
Thanks Marlene! So glad you liked it, and I hope the links are useful x
Karen Hynds says
Love your Christmas styling. Cheers from Karen, Newcastle, NSW.
Abi says
Thanks so much Karen!
Donna Ford says
I love them and the soft muted shades work so well with the texture. Lovely idea!
Abi says
Thanks Donna! I couldn’t resist the blush pink as it’s festive but a bit different x
Caro | The Twinkle Diaries says
This looks so beautiful Abi — I love the colours!! It’s amazing how these paper decorations are have such a resurgence — it’s lovely to see. They’re certainly a lot more stylish than they were when I was a child, that’s for sure!! 🙂
Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
Abi says
Thanks Caro! They’re definitely having a moment aren’t they, and there are so many beautiful colours around this year!
Mary Middleton | Hello Peagreen says
The light in your photographs is breathtaking. I love this simple and unfussy Christmas arrangement, and the pinky hue is really unexpected. I couldn’t get away with something like this in my house – my 6yo would be sneaking in lego men and his homemade baubles.
Abi says
Thanks Mary! I love the pink as it’s festive but a bit different. I do have to contend with my husband trying to sneak tacky Christmas decorations in when he can – I came home from a weekend away today to find the fairylight quota had increased somewhat while I was gone… 😉