Step-by-Step Holiday Flower Arrangements

The Materials: Coleus foliage + bush ivy + artichokes + pomegranates + red spray roses + hellebores

The Vase: An earthy dough bowl

Staying Power: Three days

Nestle a shallow bowl within a larger horizontal-shaped vessel. It doesn't need to fit perfectly but should be stable.

Arrange coleus and bush ivy around the base of the interior container. Secure their stems into florist foam. Create movement by tucking in one or two longer branches to extend out of the display.

Cluster artichokes and pomegranates in odd-numbered groups of three or more. Place most of the weighty stems low within the arrangement. Fill in holes with spray roses and hellebores.

The Materials: Bush ivy + buckthorn berry branches + variegated pittosporum + ivy

The Vase: A vintage pedestal Champagne bucket

Staying Power: Five to seven days

Ball up chicken wire, and wedge it in the bottom of the bucket. A more eco-friendly choice than typical florist foam, it will help anchor the branches as you insert them.

Add bush ivy to the bucket, placing more on the left side for an interesting organic aesthetic.

Cluster three stems of buckthorn berries on the right and two toward the back. Then add the variegated pittosporum and place trailing ivy on one side for a modern, asymmetrical look.

The Materials: Amaryllis + rose foliage + carnations + tea roses + anemones + ranunculus

The Vase: A classic Revere bowl

Staying Power: Three days

Anchor the arrangement with amaryllis or another large flower that will act as a focal point. Select blooms in a range of reds to give dimension to this monochromatic look.

For the Middle Ground, add rose foliage and then tuck in affordable fillers such as carnations and tea roses, placed low in the arrangement.

Add some bolder flowers (such as anemones and ranunculus) above and in the center for depth. Allow their graceful stems to remain long, trimming them slightly only if necessary for balance.

The Materials: Pine + incense cedar + eucalyptus pods + ranunculus + carnations

The Vase: A footed brass vase

Staying Power: Five days

Incorporate the season's greenery to serve as a backdrop for delicate flowers.

Cluster the eucalyptus pods toward the back of the arrangement, and add more to drape over the front of the container.

Add ranunculus stems, mimicking the way flowers grow in nature by inserting some down low and placing some on top to create varying levels. Then tuck in a few carnations to fill in holes.

The Flowers: Astilbes + andromedas + hellebores + tea roses

The Vase: A quintet of mercury glass vases

Staying Power: Keep this collection lively by clipping stems and replacing water each day.

Start with an odd number of petite vases in various sizes. Here, five vessels were used to give the display breadth.

Stick to a single flower type in each vase to create a more professional look.

Place the displays on surfaces with varying heights for an added element of interest.