Horticare Nursery: Holiday Decorating

Holiday "Twinklers"

Holiday candles nested in fruits or vegetables are a creative way to light up a room, and an excellent reason to forgo traditional holiday candleholders for a more "natural" alternative. To avoid harmful environmental and health-related problems associated with conventional candles, consider beeswax
or soy oil candles.
(They smell better, too !)

Orange Clove Twinkler

Materials:
Knife, whole cloves, beeswax candle, whole orange

1. Cut the bottom of the orange so it can sit flat.
2. Cut a hole in the center.
3. Scoop out the insides enough to fit a candle.
4. Decorate the rim of hole by pressing cloves into the orange skin.
5. Insert beeswax candle in the center hole.

** Make an artichoke twinkler by cutting out and scooping the center of a choke for a candle.

Bamboo, Cinnamon Stick, or Magnolia Leaf Twinklers

Materials:
Bamboo, cinnamon sticks, magnolia leaves, twine, braided rope, or raffia, or other rustic looking string, glass jar, cranberries or ribbon, glue, rubber band, candle large enough to stick out of the jar

(You can also use these twinklers as vases).

1. Chose a jar that is about 2 inches shorter than your candle, and just the same length as your bamboo, cinnamon, or magnolia leaves.
2. Place rubber band around the middle of your jar.
3. Apply glue along the side of the bamboo, cinnamon stick, or leaf and fit the item inside the rubber band, with glue against the jar. Repeat until the entire jar is covered with bamboo, cinnamon sticks, or leaves.
4. Wrap braided rope over the rubber band and tie it nicely.
5. Tie a festive bow over the knotted rope.
6. Insert candle.