• For a festive and unique centerpiece, create a table-scape with 4-inch plants in matching pots with ribbon, ornaments and/or candles as accent pieces. When guests leave your holiday party, give each a plant as a memento. Or create a table-scape with fresh flowers in coordinated vases.
• For a fun theme, ask your florist to create "snowballs" and "snowmen" using white carnations.
• Ask your florist to fill the pots from your container gardens with poinsettias, cyclamen, amaryllis and ivy.
• If you are invited to a dinner party or open-house, send a floral arrangement or centerpiece to the host or hostess ahead of time or as a thank-you gift after the party. It will make them feel special and appreciated.
• Greet guests at the door with a wreath holding a personal tree ornament for each of them to take home.
• Use fresh flowers on your Christmas tree in water vials. Florists can recommend long-lasting varieties and tell you how to add water to vials. Dried or treated flowers are also a beautiful choice.
• Use wrapped boxes, festive bows and flowers as table decorations. Give wrapped "packages" to your florist in advance and he or she can create floral designs for them. Place your "packages" with flowers under the tree or on the mantle.
• Wrap the pots of poinsettias or other holiday plants in festive paper and ribbons.

For an elegant celebration, take advantage of all places where candles could be displayed:

• Line a walkway with votive candles in luminaries leading up to a door.
• Place garland on the mantle with fresh flowers and candles to beautifully grace your room and make the most of light by enhancing the fire.
• Float candles and flowers in treasured crystal or silver bowls to create a fabulous effect.
• Place scented candles with fresh blossoms in each powder room.

If an open house is on the agenda and many persons will be in a room, it is important to give special attention to the larger display areas such as the front door, foyer, mantle, buffet or serving areas, powder rooms, windows and staircase. This will help you get maximum impact because with many people in a room smaller arrangements placed around will not be seen at all times. Additionally, by focusing on a few focal areas in each room, more space is made for glasses, cups and food plates...and there is less chance of an accident.

As guests leave, have a vase of loose flowers by the door and invite them to take one home as a gift.

Ask your florist about Christmas Decorating and Entertaining Ideas with Flowers.