When we’re bored with the usual holiday decorations, flowers come to the rescue. There are so many delightful ways these can be used throughout the house.

Let’s start with one that is not obvious. Candles are pretty much a part of the holidays as much as snowmen and Santa Claus. You can decorate candles with dried flowers very easily. Start with a large pillar candle. First, rub the outer edge of the candle with some glue. Now, sprinkle a nice layer of dried flower petals to the glue. Press the petals securely in place. The easiest way to do this is with a spoon. This gives the candle a lovely, handcrafted look and scent.

There are some beautiful metal flower pockets that would be gorgeous for indoor or outdoor use during the holiday season. These come in a variety of colors and styles. For outdoor use in more exposed situations, I would fill these with holiday greens, berried branches, and other weatherproof plant materials. On porches and covered decks as well as indoor locations, I would recommend using fresh cut or dried materials in flower pockets.

If you have a chandelier, decorate this with fresh or dried florals. Along with your other holiday wreaths, why not include some made with flowers and herbs? I’ve seen some gorgeous ones made entirely of rosemary. For a festive touch, add some dried flowers and a few glass baubles. Christmas bows would also work well with herbs, and fits right in with other holiday décor. After the holidays are over, remove the seasonal touches so you can continue to use the wreath throughout the winter. For convenience, you may wish to buy readymade herbal wreaths. Typically, these are made with dried herbs. But some use fresh herbs as well.

Often, dried flowers are mixed in with a variety of herbs to create everlasting wreaths. Usually, these can be used outdoors in protected areas. I would be concerned about hanging these in exposed areas where they might get wet.

In addition to traditional round wreaths, you can also buy them in any number of holiday-themed shapes, such as bells, Christmas trees, and the like. Ready made swags are also available. Any of these could be decorated with fresh or dried florals of all sorts, including dried chiles and everlastings. For extra touches of color, take a ready-made wreath or swag, and add some of your own dried chiles, whole garlic bulbs, or other herbs.

In some shops, I’ve seen different kinds of decorative balls that could be used for holiday accents. These handcrafted balls are usually made from twigs. Crushed flower petals or herbs are used to embellish the outside of these decorative balls. Sometimes, whole bay leaves and eucalyptus leaves are used as well.

In addition, the cut stems of bay plants can be used to create entire swags. They can also be added to ready-made swags as well. Individual bay leaves, either fresh or dried, are excellent for accenting wreaths.

For wreaths and swags, you can choose from a wide range of floral materials. These include cinnamon sticks, pine cones, and dried flowers.