Every year, I adorn the mailbox post out by the road with a swag made of balsam fir (Abies balsamea), Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), pine cones and winterberries (Ilex verticillata), and top it with a pretty bow in hopes that it helps put passersby in a festive mood.
A friend of my son’s made this beautiful ceramic cup, which I used to make a small arrangement for the desk that sits next to our front door. Made of the same ingredients as above, it has little 2″ spruce cones in the center. When there isn’t much space, little vases can do a lot to brighten up a spot.
Many thanks to Cathy at Rambling In the Garden, who hosts a weekly meme to showcase arrangements made from our land and gardens. Wander over to see what gardeners all over the world are arranging this week. Feel free to join in, sharing your own weekly creation with a link to Cathy’s blog.
Happy Solstice everyone!
Eliza Waters 
Well, your festive swag really did put me in a festive mood. 🙂
So glad to hear that, Dor. Thanks! 🙂
Happy Solstice to you, Eliza! Hooray, the days will get longer.
I really like that top swag – the simplicity and the green greens and red reds.
(And thanks for introducing me to the meaning of “swag”. I never knew it was a word for a downward bouquet. I was only aware of the word used as a bunch of free merchandise.)
Now that’s telling of one’s lifestyle. ;-D Country mouse/city mouse!
Yay for lengthening days! Here we come Sun!
That’s the truth, country mouse! I only learned “swag” in the context of Academy Awards and Emmy season parties, which apparently are accompanied by giant baskets of “swag”. Not that I’ve ever been to such an event!
🙂
Oh, so so pretty!! 💖💖💖💖
Thank you, Trini! 🙂
That is a super arrangement that I should think cheers everyone who sees it. Especially the postman. Happy solstice .
Thank you, Dorris. I expect the postman is the only one who can appreciate it up close! Although, we get do a few walkers. 🙂
Your beautiful arrangements certainly put me in the holiday spirit andI really like your winter blog theme! Have a very merry Christmas Eliza! Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents with your readers.
Thank you so much, Stephanie. Glad you liked it. Merry Christmas!
What a great idea to decorate a post. Love the festive feeling of your arrangements.
Many thanks!
Beautiful!
Thank you, Julie. Welcome Yule!
Beautiful! Happy Solstice Eliza!!
Thank you, Mary. The days will lengthen at last! 🙂
I love the idea of a swag – so effective and festive too. And a Happy Solstice to you Eliza.
Thank you, Cathy!
Thank you for the festiveness! So pretty. Love the little vase!
Thank you, Kathy. Happy Solstice!
So festive, so beautiful:)
Thank you!
Love greenery and berries! Like you, I am lucky to live in an area where I can gather my own.
Yes, it is a blessing living in the north woods!
It’s just perfect.
Thank you, Gigi. 🙂
iT would put ME in a festive mood, as would the mug.
Thank you, Lisa. 🙂
Well done. It’s nicely cheering. I love the cup and arrangement. To longer days then!
Yes! Thank you. 🙂
The winter Solstice is an important point in the calendar, I like the idea of your swag to celebrate the occasion.
For we northerners, we are so happy for the turning point back to the sun!
So very pretty!
Thank you, Fi!
Great idea, Eliza! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Anca!
Both are so beautiful and so festive. Merry Solstice, Eliza! 🙂
Thank you, Robin. Yay for the return of the Light!
This meme has certainly shown that we shouldn’t underestimate how attractive a simple collection of greenery can be – yours convey seasonal greetings without uttering a word. Thank you for sharing and best wishes to you and your family
Thank you very much, Cathy. Blessings!
Eliza you have outdone yourself with these..perfect greenery.
Thank you so much, Donna!
Beautiful! It looks so pretty with the little berries. I love your idea decorating your mailbox! I don’t have one of those kinds of mailboxes, just a metal box connected to the wall but I would love to decorate it for the holiday season even if just putting a pretty bow on it. I never thought of that before. It’s red so it’s the perfect color for the holiday and with a bow would look fantastic! Thank you for your inspiration! ❤
Thank you, Kim. The postman might appreciate the effort and every time you check the mail, you’ll be cheered! 🙂
These are beautiful seasonal accents! I’ve never decorated our mailbox – I must remedy that omission. Best wishes for a merry Christmas, Eliza!
Thank you so much, Kris. The best of the season to you!
I love your swag Eliza. Very pretty and festive.
Thank you very much!
happy solstice to you! Beautiful festive swag – how it must cheer your postman!
Indeed, I expect it does. 🙂 Thanks, Ann.
Lovely idea!
Thank you!
Beautiful wintry creations!!!
Thank you, Denise!
I like the idea of small things, such as the vase, to bring a little holiday cheer.
Tucked away in unexpected places! 🙂
Such a cheerful swag and mug. The combination of red and green is hard to beat at this time of year. Season’s Greetings to you Eliza.
Thank you, Anna. 🙂
Sorry for the very late reply, but I love the mailbox swag – I will definitely have to try this next year (or something similar) for ours. It looks so un-festive without anything.
Even better, my sister gave me some ceramic pieces she made a few years ago that don’t really fit anywhere in our house. I never thought of using them as outdoor vases, but this would be a great use for them. So thank you for the great idea!
So glad to be an inspiration, Sarah. Thank you!