Gourds and mums for Thanksgiving… Cute, but it’s been
done. Holiday times offer the opportunity to really dress up your table. Think of it as “opera night” for
your place setting.
Besides a candle or two, most people don’t make the effort with centrepieces, leaving them to wedding parties
or big events. A gorgeous centrepiece not only makes your table shine, but you look like a savvy hostess to
boot!
Tips from the Pros
Ridgeway Florist Ltd., located in Waterdown, Ont., is a family-owned business by Klaus and Melitta Mester.
The Ridgeway family established the business in 1960. The Mesters, who worked in Toronto for eight years,
purchased the store in 1988. Ridgeway Florist Ltd. now has three skilled professional designers on staff to
serve Waterdown, Hamilton, Burlington and Ancaster.
• Create a grid over the vase opening with Scotch tape to hold the flowers in place. If you are using a
bowl or other opaque holder, saturate some floral foam in water and then transfer the foam into a clean
container.
• Strip stems of any leaves that fall below the waterline to prevent decaying.
• Avoid filling the vase completely with water. Keep the water level at about midline. If using foam, only
insert the stems in about an inch.
• Use branches and greenery from your own garden or yard to enhance everyday flowers and create a centrepiece
that conveys a sense of your own outdoor space and style.
• Keep your arrangements low and compact for big impact. Or if you need some height, add some taper
candles and branches.
• Repeating a small arrangement down the centre of your table makes a simple and chic statement.
• Group identical flowers within an arrangement for dynamic effect.
• Think outside of “the garden.” Ornaments hung from branches give a playful air to your
centrepiece.•
