Find the steps to create a flower arrangement and table centerpiece for the holidays, along with floral longevity tips. You’ll also find festive Christmas table and floral inspiration from my Monday Morning Blooms’ friends.

Merry December!
It’s one of my favorite days of the month when I join my
Monday Morning Blooms’ friends to share some flower therapy.

You can find my flower friends’ links at the bottom of this post.
This post contains affiliate links. For more information see my disclosure policy. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase anything through an affiliate link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

We’re celebrating the Christmas holiday season for our December edition of Monday Morning Blooms!
🎄 🎄 🎄

For a container for my floral arrangement, I used a favorite compote
with a Santa and bunny from Fitz and Floyd’s Woodland Santa Collection.
It was a Christmas gift, along with a few matching pieces, circa 1991- 92.
Fun fact: It still has a Belk’s sticker on the bottom of it. ;) Our local Belk store used to have the most beautiful selection of Fitz and Floyd back in the 90s.
To make my floral arrangement, I used a Pillow Floral Cage Arranger.
It works like chicken wire, without the sharp edges, so it won’t scratch the ceramic / painted
interior of the bowl. It’s also made of plastic, so it doesn’t rust.
My floral cage is 6 inches wide, but it’s also available in a 4 inch size.
I used waterproof floral tape to secure the floral cage to the compote.
The tape will be concealed by the floral material.

To make my floral centerpiece, I started with some cedar, free-for-the-clipping.
The fresh greenery adds a little fragrance and provides some wispy texture
to soften the arrangement, and also support for the flowers.
Alstroemeria and hydrangeas from the supermarket were added for some traditional red and white blooms,
along with pinecone and ribbon picks saved from previous centerpieces.

I placed the centerpiece on a tree slice charger to add a woodland note.

Flower longevity tips:
🎄 Always use the flower food packets that come with your flowers to give them their longest vase life.
Flower food / floral preservative provides nutrients for your flowers and controls
the pH for optimal water uptake, while also reducing bacteria in your vase water.
🎄 Two products I swear by for long-lasting flowers are Floralife Flower Food,
available in individual packets, a 10 oz. container, or liquid for easy mixing.
and Crowning Glory Solution Floral Spray.

If you’re not familiar with Crowning Glory, it’s an antitranspirant spray
that dries clear, sealing in moisture.
It’s safe to use on all flower types and is especially beneficial
for flowers that are prone to wilting due to moisture loss, like hydrangeas.
I’ve had flowers that lasted for two weeks that were sprayed with Crowning Glory.

A pair of bunnies hopped to the table to join Santa on a tartan throw,
that’s serving as a tablecloth for warm and cozy dining.

Join me at the table by twinkling lights of the tree! 🎄

A wreath with a bow adorn the neck of Fitz and Floyd Woodland Santa Collection Bunnies.

I always like to add some greenery to the table as sprigs of fresh boxwood, cedar,
cypress and magnolia leaves, provide an organic touch and fragrance at the holidays.

Pinecones are sprinkled among the greenery, along with red mercury glass votives and
some beaded garland from my Christmas stash, used to decorate the tree in previous years.

Salad plates with a bunny and a deer with Cardinal add to the ‘Woodland Santa’ theme . . .

They’re wreathed with tartan plaid plates, white chargers and
red beaded placemats for a little holiday sparkle.

A red paisley print napkin is married with a white holly and berry pattern . . .
the more patterns, the merrier!

And two different napkin rings, a pinecone design, is paired with
a beaded wreath napkin ring, with an accent of plaid ribbon.

Table Details:
Bunnies and Compote / Woodland Santa Collection by Fitz & Floyd, 1991-92
Salad Plates / Better Homes & Gardens Heritage Dinnerware, Walmart, several years ago
Plaid Plates / Pottery Barn, several years ago
Red Beaded Placemat / Kohl’s, several years ago
Napkin Rings / HomeGoods & Pier1, several years ago
Napkins / Pottery Barn & HomeGoods, several years ago
Red Goblets / Mikasa French Countryside
Wallace Corsica Gold-Accent Flatware

More tips help extend the life of your flowers in your arrangement:
🎄 Cut your flower stems at a 45 degree angle for maximum water uptake and remove any leaves below the water line.
🎄 Always add the floral preservative packets to your vase water that come with your flowers from the store.
🎄 Check your water level daily, topping off as needed, especially if using thirsty flowers like hydrangeas. If possible, change your vase water every other day.
🎄 Remove any wilting and fading flowers as they produce ethylene gas, which can hasten the decline of neighboring flowers.
🎄 Keep your flower arrangement away from heat or direct sunlight.

Visit my flower friends to see their holiday floral inspiration:

Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse

.Pam at Everyday Living

Thank you for your visit!
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This is beautiful, Mary! I love the colors and the textures. That container and those bunnies are absolutely precious!! Great tip about the floral cage too! I need to get one. Thank you for the beautiful inspiration!! 🎄💗
I’d give you first place if this was a contest! So beautiful. I love the bunnies that joined the party.
Gorgeous, Mary! The F&F Woodland bunnies are adorable with your WM plates. That new plastic flower frog is perfect for the ceramics. I love the Santa compote too. I am amazed at your collection of ceramics that seem to be in pristine condition, no chips! Your floral arrangement is beautiful with the added greens and picks and ribbons you’ve saved over time.
I’m happy to say I managed to get my tree decorated yesterday! Feeling accomplished, it puts me in the Christmas spirit, and so does your Monday Morning Blooms post!
Thanks Mary and a Happy December to you. Certainly having some cold weather here in central N.C.
Your tables settings and beautiful arrangements reminded me to put a pretty Christmas bow on my large rabbit in my entry way so she can join the festivities.
Just sitting here with my cup of coffee thinking of how I will decorate for Christmas now that I have stripped the house of autumn decor. Whatever I do it will be will be simple using lots of items from nature ,little white lights and seasonal plants like Amaryllis and Paperwhites. This year I crave a calm uncluttered Christmas!
Merry Monday, dear Mary. I love the Santa and bunny compote. I agree the 90’s Fitz and Floyd pieces are rich in detail. Your arrangement is stunning with the vibrant reds and whites. Bunnies are a sweet addition on top of the cozy tartan throw. The salad plates with a bunny and a deer are perfect for a woodland theme. I agree the more patterns, the merrier. Tartan and florals are an ideal pairing and mixing the paisley is perfect. Your tree is a beautiful backdrop for the stunning table. It is always a treat to join you for flower therapy, especially on a cold morning!
Happy December ❤️🎄
Good Monday Morning, happy second day of December…only 23 days till Christmas, what a wonderful way to welcome the day with tartan and bunnies
Such a pretty Woodland Santa table! Love the tartan plates and your F & F Santa with the BH&G bunny plates. Seeing your compote reminded me that I have a wonderful pair of large F&F reindeer that I bought at a yard sale years ago. They have such lovely details. I’ll have to go on an archeological expedition in my attic and see if I can unearth them! Happy December!
Mary, Fitz and Floyd pieces are a favorite of mine! Belk stores were a great place to shop back in the 90’s! I still find pieces on eBay from time to time.
The Santa compote flower arrangement is so pretty and I appreciate the steps to put together! You make it look achievable even for me!
Love this woodland bunny theme!
Mary, I wish you a most Merry Merry Monday Morning Blooms! I am madly in love with your F&F compote!!!! My Belks seem to carry more Fitz & Floyd lately. As always, your table is beautifully curated. Love every detail and oh how I miss Pier 1. Love love the napkin rings!! Must say I miss blooming with you all!!! I wish you a most Merry Day! Hugs to the girls!!
Oh Shirley, we miss you! Merry December!🎄❤️
Mary, as usual, you did an amazing job. If I had to pick one thing, I love the red goblets. .My Walmart never seems to put out the Christmas plates. One year, I found one plate stuck in the middle of other plates.
Mary, Your F&F items are gorgeous! F&F is a favorite and the 90’s saw beautiful, colorful pieces. I remember going into Dillard’s or Macy’s home section to ooh and aah over all F&F pieces. Your Christmas collection is really pretty. I love the compote bouquet. The plastic flower frog comes in handy and protects your pretty ceramic pieces. Happy December! Clara ❤️
Your flower arrangements are just gorgeous! I don’t feel confident in making flower arrangements and consequently hate to spend money on flowers that I may end up ruining. Your collection of Fitz and Floyd is mind-boggling. I love it so much! I also thought it was absolute genius to use two napkin rings instead of one. I’m going to keep that in mind
So pretty Mary, the F&F compote with flowers is magical! I love the holiday woodland theme and the bunnies are adorable. Love the warmth from the tartan throw and the Merry mix of patterns. Such a fun idea with the napkin rings! The twinkling lights of your Christmas tree adds to the holiday ambience, so beautiful!
Jenna
I’m crazy about bunnies, so I love this post. I’m swooning over the plates and the F & F bunnies. Thank you for sharing with us.
Oh Mary, I don’t know where to start. I absolutely LOVE anything F and F!!!! Their pieces are always exquisite. I have the same salad plates from Walmart, when they came out with them I bought 2 of every pattern!!! LOL. Your arrangement is beautiful, I never have seen one of those cages. Wishing you the MOST merry December. I am SOOOOO happy that I am done decorating. Started the day after Halloween! Today I am now off to our clubhouse to decorate it!!
Your beautiful posts bring such joy! Enjoy this lovely season to the fullest!❤️
You have certainly gathered together the prime pieces to set the perfect Christmas table on a base of tartan plaid…and what a floral centerpiece !
Color and arrangement-perfection.
That compote is perfect for your stunning arrangement, Mary, and the Christmas bunnies are the sweetest! I miss Fitz and Floyd as their designs were so cheery. Your whole table is merry and the twinkling tree adds to the magic. ❤️ 🎄 ❤️
Hi Mary ~~ Very pretty arrangement , you always have an eye for details !! December comes and goes so quickly .. so enjoy each day of this wonderful season !
Take Care !
Paula
In.
Mary, your F&F pieces are charming! You and Pam were wise to add these in the 90s. Of course the woodland theme captures my imagination every time. In recent years I’ve put up a small woodland animal theme tabletop tree. It may be my theme for my Christmas table. I had planned to host my dinner group again this season, but had to reevaluate my plans. I’ll still set a table for an imaginary dinner party. I appreciate the way you share your tricks and clever ideas for making your gorgeous arrangements. The elevated look within the pedestal compote is stunning.
I hosted a baby shower her last Saturday with a safari animal theme. I hope to post some photos soon. Saturday was a beautiful day to be in the garden, and fit the theme perfectly.
Looking forward to your table in tomorrow’s hop. I had to bow out this round. Life is pulling me in many directions, thus a few things had to fall off the calendar. Happy Holidays, Mary!
Mary, your table is gorgeous from the F&F compote filled with pretty flowers to the charming bunnies. You are excellent at arranging flowers. A magical table that looks so festive for the holidays. The tartan throw looks fabulous with your plate stack. I also have those sweet deer plates. Love the napkins and napkin rings. Everything looks so merry and bright, especially with the twinkling tree. Happy holidays.🎄
Beautiful Mary! You are so creative . Merry Christmas!
You are the master Mary! The most gorgeous over the top Christmas Table scape and Flower vessel!!! Happiest of Holidays to you and your family!