
Photo by Laurey W. Glenn
THE INSPIRATION
“I looked to a classic Christmas palette for all the designs. I’m rather an old soul at heart, and tradition always speaks to me, especially during the holidays. For the how-to arrangement, I wanted to create something with a wow factor but low enough to use on a dining room table so as not to compete with the lively conversations that take place during holiday gatherings. It’s also easy to create—trust me.” — Canaan Marshall
CHRISTMAS CENTERPIECE HOW-TO
Canaan Marshall shares step-by-step instructions for creating this lush “you can do it” arrangement for the dining room table.
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Photo by Laurey W. Glenn
MATERIALS: hydrangeas, tulips, red roses, wax flowers, ranunculus, viburnum, dendrobium orchids, red and green cockscomb, tallow berries, seeded eucalyptus, pennycress
1 | Since this is for a dinner party, I chose a low clear-glass container. Create a grid over the top using clear tape. I put a capful of bleach in the water when using clear containers to keep the water clean. I like to work with a lazy Susan for speed, and it makes it easy to check all sides of the arrangement.
2 | Make sure to pull off the lower leaves of the hydrangeas to keep them out of the water. Place several trimmed stems throughout the grid.
3 | Time to tuck the tulips in among the hydrangeas, starting at the four corners in clusters. I add a capful of vodka to the water. It may make us fall down, but it makes tulips stand up! And it keeps them from opening as fast.
4 | I always blow into the center of roses to get them to open more before adding them to an arrangement. Trim and place, making sure to cluster them, and then check for any gaps.
5 | Trim and add the dainty and airy wax flowers. They add height, dimension, and texture. Place them on the top and sides of the arrangement.
6 | Cheerful ranunculus are next. I also blow on the center of these if they seem too closed. They provide movement and texture and help to fill in open spaces.
7 | Add a few blooms of viburnum. Their chartreuse green really pops out in the arrangement. Pick carefully—choose stems that are not too droopy, and check to remove any dead-looking foliage.
8 | When adding fresh orchids to an arrangement, I usually trim off the unopened buds at the top before placing in the arrangement, so the focus is on the blooms.
9 | Cockscombs are so textural and interesting. I use both red and green ones together for more impact, and they are so festive!
10 | Time for the finishing touches. These are the little extras to add in at the last minute if you want to. You can stop at any time during the process if you are happy with your arrangement. I chose tallow berries (I love anything I can clip from the yard), seeded eucalyptus, and pennycress for additional texture and movement.
The finished arrangement!
FRONT DOOR, FOYER & MANTEL DECOR

Photo by Laurey W. Glenn
CLASSIC CHRISTMAS FRONT DOOR
Materials: magnolia foliage, green cedar, blue cedar, green holly, wired red ribbon

Photo by Laurey W. Glenn
ROTUNDA HOLIDAY TABLE DISPLAY
Materials: grapevine reindeer, wired ribbon, glass vases in various shapes and sizes, red roses, viburnum, dendrobium orchids, manzanita branches, pennycress, ornamental millet, seeded eucalyptus, assorted foliage

Photo by Laurey W. Glenn
HOLIDAY MANTEL
Materials: magnolia foliage, cedar, green holly, elaeagnus branches, wax flowers, seeded eucalyptus, two glass vases, wired gold-and-white ribbon
Produced by Alice Welsh Doyle | Photography by Laurey W. Glenn for Flower‘s Nov/Dec 2019 issue