Holiday entertaining 2014

Tulsa World Supplement, Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Holiday E ntertaining

Tastes of the

Season Christmas Tree Trends Choose the Perfect Setting for Your

Party

Win a Trip of a Lifetime

tulsaworld.com/holidays

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TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT

November 26, 2014

Take care of your holiday shopping, and win your dream vacation!

Each time you visit one of the participating advertisers, you can enter to win the trip of a lifetime.

Look for the entry forms at participating stores Nov. 12 through Dec. 24.

The winner’s name will be drawn in January.

Entries from every store will be gathered together, and one lucky reader will win a $3,000 travel voucher to take the trip of his or her dreams from Tulsa World Media Company.

No purchase is necessary. For complete contest details, visit tulsaworld.com/holidays.

Enter for a chance to win a $3,000 vacation simply for visiting one of these participating retailers: Avon Beauty Center Bahama Sun of Brookside Celebrity Attractions Emy Couture Garbe’s Honda of Tulsa Sportscenter Ida Red

John Daniel’s Footwear Miss Jackson’s Queenie’s Cafe & Bakery Star Jewelers The Market at Walnut Creek Tulsa Symphony

Find more great seasonal ideas in Tulsa World’s Holiday special sections: Holiday Gift Guide — Wednesday, December 3 Holiday Favorites — Sunday, December 7 Holiday Region of Giving — Sunday, December 14

November 26, 2014

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HOLIDAY DECOR

Trimming Your Tree

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f there is one symbol of the holiday decorating season, it is the Christmas tree. And though the tree itself hasn’t changed much over the years, the way we decorate it sure has.

(GSM) — From the early (and dangerous) tradition of stringing trees with wax candles for a couple of hours each night, today’s Christmas trees are layered with decorations and lit up at all hours.

In Bloom

Want a high-end design with a fresh look? Think flowers. Stunning silk flowers scattered throughout your tree will give it a layer of petal perfection sure to garner some extra attention this holiday season.

You can track down silk flowers at your local craft store. Mix up roses, magnolias and hydrangeas to match your overall color scheme for a well-balanced look. Topping the tree with a thick strand of ribbon or tinsel will provide a striking finish.

Glass Ball Ornaments

Are you thinking bright and shiny this year, or modern and muted?

Big, small or somewhere in between? Glass ball ornaments come in a variety of finishes, colors, sizes and shapes to add a designer touch to your tree.

For a traditional look, stick with solid ornaments in the recognizable Christmas colors such as red, white, silver and gold. If you’re feeling more adventurous, many ornaments are designed with graphics and more updated color schemes.

A balanced mix of violet and bronze ornaments, for example, will stand out nicely from the green of your tree.

Go All Natural

Bring nature into your home this holiday season with an allnatural Christmas tree. Elements such as leaves, nuts, pine cones and winterberries will make your tree appear like it would in the middle of a forest.

Add a few metallic finishes or an array of jingle bells to give the natural look a contemporary twist. You can even choose your favorite wild animal to highlight. Specialty stores carry artificial yet beautifully designed birds and snow owls that make for Fotolia the perfect finishing touch.

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November 26, 2014

PARTY VENUES

Tulsa World

The Vista Room at Gilcrease Museum offers a great location for holding a holiday party.

Best Party Places

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By Emily Hulseberg • Special Sections Writer

ocation always sets the mood for any party, so think carefully about where to hold your gathering.

You might go big and hold it at a local hotel’s banquet hall or opt for a quiet and intimate setting for a few friends and family in your home. You also should consider the many historic venues around Tulsa that make an event extra special.

Gilcrease Museum is a Tulsa gem, located north of Tulsa in the Osage Hills. The intimate Vista Room and The Restaurant at Gilcrease offer clients much more than just a space to host their event.

“Gilcrease is the perfect place for a holiday party because it is so much more than a banquet space,” says Gilcrease Event Sales Coordinator Kacy Hughes. Gilcrease is home to a collection of art and artifacts of the American West, and party attendees have the opportunity to access the gallery when they attend events at Gilcrease, giving it a special touch, Hughes says.

Clients can bring in decorations to enhance the already beautiful backdrop

Courtesy

The German-American Society of Tulsa’s center is ready to host your holiday gathering. that Gilcrease offers.

“We have panoramic views of the Osage Hills,” Hughes says, “and the neutral tones of the Vista Room give guests a blank canvas to transform the space into their perfect event.” Whether it’s big glamorous parties or simple elegant evenings, Gilcrease is easily transformed.

The catering that Gilcrease

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PARTY VENUES offers is spectacular. crafts, decorations, Party hosts can choose home furnishings from traditional plated and a lot more. The dinners, buffet-style Market makes it easy fare or just simple to enhance any room and delicious hors and turn your venue d’oeuvres. A catering into exactly what you guide helps organizers want. plan the perfect menu, Kay Worley, who tailored to their specific operates her Pardon needs. Gilcrease also My French booth can customize the at The Market, says menu if there is somean easy decorating thing else the client tip is to hang things has in mind, Hughes from the ceiling if says. it’s allowed at your If you would prefer rented venue. Large to host your holiday ornaments like stars event in a historic and snowflakes location in midtown, can give the room consider what the Gerextra sparkle. She also Tulsa World man-American Society recommends using The Market at Walnut Creek features small wreaths on of Tulsa (GAST) has to offer. The organization dozens of vendors who feature great tables with a vase full is housed in a 1929-era decorations for the holidays. of brightly colored building that features ornaments to give the early English modified gothic elegant sit-down dinner and room a warm, holiday feel. architecture, ornate chande- can be transformed into a fun Simply putting together liers and vaulted ceilings. It party atmosphere, complete a great looking table is all immediately catches the atwith a dance floor. Any sound some venue spaces need. tention of passers-by on 15th equipment must be brought Street, just one block west of in by the client.

Lewis Avenue.

None of this, of course, Office manager Terri should diminish the center’s Bullis says the building can natural beauty. comfortably seat 225 guests.

“People can come with It appeals to party planners minimal decor, and it will still because it’s a space you can be beautiful,” Bullis says. completely make your own.

Whether you’re decorating Anyone renting it can the GAST center for a holiday bring in their own decoraparty or any other site, tions if they choose, and the including your own home, center features a kitchen that you can find plenty of ideas outside caterers can use for and items at The Market at easy setup. The venue has Walnut Creek, 81st Street and tables and chairs available Harvard Avenue. for use as well.

The Market has dozens of The GAST has room for an vendors who each sell arts,

Lynn Bischoffe, who has a booth at The Market called Fortnight, suggests using large candlesticks with ornaments on top to give tables a fun and whimsical look.

Bischoffe says another option is tall cone trees, battery-operated candles and garland to transform a boring, empty table.

Or, Bischoffe says, use ornaments as placeholders or napkin rings and then give them as gifts at the end of the night — a decoration and party favor all in one.

Thinking outside the box and using things you have around the house such as glass bowls, holly trees or vintage ornaments are great ways to take a beautiful venue and make it stunning.

Keep in mind that holiday parties turn into holiday memories, and planning an event will go smoothly if you choose the right venue and add a little creativity.

Prepare to Party (GSM) — Planning and execution are different things when it comes to parties. The key to staying on budget and avoiding stress is all in the preparation.

So once you decide to host a holiday bash this year, the planning has officially begun. Start making your to-do list (and checking it twice) to make sure your party goes off without a hitch.

To-Do List • Choose the location, theme and date.

• Create theme-related invitations.

• Invite friends and family members.

• Plan the food, drinks.

• Send out email or social media reminders.

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HOLIDAY DECOR

Designing With Style

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he best Christmas decorations work together to form a spectacular theme that builds excitement and anticipation for the holiday.

(GSM) — From the tree topper to the tablecloth, your home’s holiday theme should have a consistent color, story and design to help stylishly celebrate the season.

Switch things up this year by doing something different. You are sure to create special moments and lasting memories along the way.

Cozy Country

Flashing lights and singing chipmunk ornaments should be nowhere near your countrythemed Christmas. ‘Tis the season to pare down

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and get back to the basics. That means swapping out your string of chaser lights for a strand of popcorn. Or replacing your standard glass ornaments with natural elements such as pinecones.

Victorian Christmas

A Victorian theme ditches the holiday’s traditional red and green colors for a more soft-hued assortment of purples, blues and greens, accented by silver or gold. It is a throwback to the Victorian era and its lavish, overstated design styles. Layer your Christmas tree in white lights and crystal

ornaments to achieve the Victorian look. Use thick, shiny paper to wrap your gifts under the tree.

Personal Theme

If you choose to put your own spin on your holiday decorating theme this year, what better way than to incorporate some personal touches? You can sprinkle your tree with small framed cutout photos of family members or cover your mantle with heirloom items that hold special meaning.

Be creative and fearless in pairing traditional decorations and homemade ones.

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November 26, 2014

TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT

PARTY VENUES

Themes to Make Your Party Merry

Get Your Houseguests Talking

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and Memorable

(MCC) — Make your party more festive by choosing a theme and asking your guests to dress for it.

By Kevin Armstrong • Special Sections Editor

f you plan on hosting a holiday party in your home, add a little pizzazz to your gathering with a few simple touches in three areas.

Want a great recipe to re-energize your owner Michell Culbreath. holiday event? Add one unique item from each “This is the smartest place of these three categories: food, flowers and to buy spices. They are furnishings. It will provide some great converfresher and less expensive.” sation starters for your guests.

Mecca is able to sell at When it comes to food, reduced prices by you don’t have to think the exTHINK SMALL foregoing too big or expensive. Just pensive packaging The less table add a fresh seasoning you find at a grocery space that your to your menu, dress up store. A jar of basil Courtesy photo vegetables with a healthy holiday decorations that’s priced at $3 FLOWERS: Arrow Flowers and Gifts can create the zest, serve a flavorful dip to $4 at the grocer take up, the more ideal centerpiece with fresh greenery for your table. with crackers or brew an costs only 95 cents room you’ll have amazing cup of coffee. for delicious dishes at Mecca. benefits of extra virgin olive oil.

You can find any of While you are at the store, make sure and festive drinks.

Consider combining cinnamon pear balthese ingredients at you sample the more than 20 flavors samic vinegar and blood orange olive oil to Mecca Coffee Co., which of olive oil and 20-plus varieties of dress up your next salad or vegetable medley. has a midtown location at balsamic vinegar. You might balk at the Don’t forget to pickup some coffee while 41st as well as Peoria and a South Tulsa shop at thought of sipping these liquids, but you will you’re at Mecca. The store sells more than 80 101st and Sheridan. The store offers a whole lot be pleasantly surprised. different blends, either ground or as whole more than its name implies.

These vinegars are infused with pears, apribeans, and you can sample any of it while Mecca, which began in 1921, offers more cots and many more flavors. You just discovyou’re shopping. Browse some more and you’ll than 100 spices and from your basic cinnamon ered a new way to wake up any vegetable. find servingware, drinkware, kitchen utensils, to a Vietnamese variety, from a season salt mix Tuscan or garlic rank among the most popumustards, salsas, spreads and dip mixes. to the more exotic Himalayan salt brick. lar flavors of olive oils, Culbreath says, and she Now that you have your food dressed up in “The spices attract all kinds of people,” says has many customers who swear by the healthy a festive way, consider what you might do with your home decor.

The simplest place to start is the table centerpiece. You have a lot more options than a pre-arranged floral bouquet. This time of year, think fresh greenery, candles, miniature lights, sparkling ornaments and ribbons or garlands.

“There are so many things you can do,” says Patsy Terry, owner of Arrow Flowers and Gifts on Main Street in Broken Arrow. “During the holidays, we do a lot with pinecones, tufts of ribbon and metallic inserts, such as bells.”

She and her staff love to customize arrangements and centerpieces for customers, so it helps to know several things before they start: • Where will the arrangement be displayed?

• What are the dimensions of the table?

• What is the color scheme in the room?

• Are there particular flowers you want used?

• How long do you want it to last?

Having one nice centerpiece may be all you need to complement holiday decorations you already have, but Terry’s staff can do a lot more.

They will come to your house, set up and Tulsa World photo decorate your Christmas tree, arrange wreaths FOOD: Mecca Coffee Co. features more than 100 fresh spices, along with a great and hang swags of greenery on your mantel.

“We have several customers who we do that assortment of olive oils and vinegars that can make your menu something special.

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Christmas Sweater Party

Christmas sweater parties have grown in popularity over the last decade, when revelers have tried to outdo one another with the most outrageous holiday-themed sweater. Give prizes for the most outlandish sweater. Let guests know early on so they can begin their hunt for a holiday sweater that’s so ugly or outrageous you can’t help but love it.

Christmas Costume Party

Costume parties aren’t just for Halloween. This holiday season, consider making your holiday bash a costume party, encouraging guests to dress up as their favorite characters from holiday tales like “Frosty the Snowman,”“A Christmas Carol” or any of the host of beloved holiday legends.

Caribbean Christmas

Tulsa World photo

FURNISHINGS: The Refuge Lifestyle sells handcrafted furniture such as this table and sofa made of natural woods. for each year,” Terry says. his wife, Robin, co-owns the business started One thing they don’t do is outdoor lights. by his father. Some people equate rustic with If you’re in the mood to jazz things up a little western, southwestern, cowboy or lodge styles. more, consider adding “My vision of rustic is coma new piece of furnipletely different than what ture that catches your my dad started with, which ADD SPARKLE guests’ attention. was log furniture,” Clinton Planning a big holiday The Refuge Lifestyle says. “It’s more of a refined bash? The table can be offers an eclectic colrustic that can transition into your greatest playground lection of rustic pieces modern today.” for creativity. Scatter that will add someClinton travels to trade thing special to any shows four times a year to ornaments and glitter room in your home. hand select the products his throughout the middle of Many of the tables in store carries along with the the table to create a the store’s showroom tables, chairs, beds, light fixmagical backdrop. were handcrafted in tures and other items handBixby, using wood from crafted by his father and a few 100-year-old barns. other local woodworkers.

Other pieces are made of juniper wood, found “I go to markets and see what’s new, what’s in Colorado or Utah. niche, what’s unique,” Clinton says. “The “Rustic” has various meanings to different showroom is completely changed every two folks, says Clinton Taylor Jr., who along with months.”

Robin adds, “There’s a story behind every piece of furniture.”

That idea has become quite attractive to customers, who can have furniture built to their specifications as well.

“What sets us apart from the big-box stores is everything here is customizable,” Clinton says. “If you want a particular nightstand and you need it to be 3 inches taller, we can make that happen.”

That kind of service has helped the business grow from its Bixby location on 151st Street just west of Memorial Drive to a second store that recently opened at 71st Street and Highway 169 in south Tulsa.

Clinton says his store is all about rediscovering the natural beauty of the earth and turning that into home furnishings.

“A refuge is a place of peace and comfort,” he says. “That’s what the name of our business means, and that’s what your home should be — a place of peace and comfort.”

The weather this holiday season may be the one thing to put a damper on the festivities. To combat blue feelings from potentially inclement weather, consider a Caribbean theme for your holiday party. Rather than wearing sweaters and long pants, consider beach attire and give the party a touch of the Caribbean. Adorn your home in beach decor and serve food and drinks reminiscent of the Caribbean instead of more traditional holiday fare such as eggnog and gingerbread cookies.

Holiday Film Festival

Holiday movies are another tradition of the season, so why not invite friends and family over for a holiday film marathon? Include classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “A Christmas Story,” and encourage guests to submit their own favorites for consideration.

Christmas Karaoke

For those who love to belt out their favorite holiday tunes, consider throwing a Christmas karaoke party that allows guests to perform their own renditions of their favorite Christmas carols.

Purchase a home karaoke set and ask guests in advance of the party if there are any particular songs they’d like to perform.

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GIFT IDEAS

Santa paws

Proud to be an Okie

Courtesy

The eclectic 1907 shop on Main Street in Broken Arrow features lots of possible holiday gifts that highlight Oklahoma pride, including gift basket items and T-shirts (above). The name of the store is derived from the year that Oklahoma achieved statehood. The store features locally-made products.

Southern Agriculture caters to pets and their owners. Its Tulsa area stores are stocked with lots of gift ideas and stocking stuffers, including a collection of Christmas ornaments for dog and cat lovers. Many of them highlight specific breeds (left).

Tulsa World

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GIFT IDEAS

Share the Stage with Someone You Love Tulsa Ballet will stage “The Nutcracker” (left) the weekends of Dec. 1214 and Dec. 19-21 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Tickets are still available, and they make great holiday gifts.

Tickets also are available for three additional shows during the 201415 season: “The Sleeping Beauty,” Feb. 20-22; “The Three Musketeers,” March 27-29; and “XX (Twenty)”, May 8-10 and May 15-17.

Courtesy

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November 26, 2014

HOLIDAY FLAVORS

Appetizing Appetizers

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o party is complete without assorted appetizers spread throughout the kitchen and dining room.

They keep your guests happy – and full.

Quick and Easy Shrimp

Shrimp can be your best friend when trying to pull off a quick holiday appetizer, as long as it comes ready to be cooked. After steaming, sauteing or boiling your own fresh shrimp, add a squeeze of lemon zest for an extra punch.

Some dipping sauce options include tartar, cocktail, honey mustard or even homemade hot sauce (cook, puree and then strain the juices from about 10 sliced jalapenos, two tablespoons of minced garlic, one tablespoon of olive oil and one cup of white vinegar).

Bite-Sized Tortilla Roll-Ups

Start by spreading a thin layer of cream cheese on a large flour tortilla. Many cream cheese flavors are on the market, so get creative. Top the cream cheese with layers of turkey, ham, chicken, sliced tomato and spinach leaves.

Roll your tortilla tightly and chill them for up to an hour.

Then cut your rolls into slices.

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HOLIDAY FLAVORS

Consider Your Drinks

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ive proper attention to your beverage selection.

Having alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink choices can be the finishing touch for a festive party.

Apple Cider Punch

Looking for a tart, fruity drink for sipping? Stir up about two cups of orange juice and a half cup of lemon juice with six cups of apple cider. Then slowly pour in a bottle of sparkling white grape juice for the final add-in.

For an alcoholic option, use chilled champagne instead of the sparkling grape juice. Taste-test your drink to determine the need for extra ingredients as you see fit and serve it in a large punch bowl.

Hot Chocolate Float

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The float is another summertime favorite that can be translated into a winter wonderland. Heat up a half cup of fudge sauce and another half cup of your favorite stout beer or root beer.

Add two scoops of vanilla ice cream to a glass and pour your fudge-beer mixture over the ice cream. Top it with whipped cream to blow this float out of the water.

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HOLIDAY FLAVORS

Treat Your Guests Well

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hrowing a great holiday party involves creativity and diversity in what you offer your guests to eat. Give them something sweet and something salty.

Trim-the-Tree Cupcakes Makes 4 trees

1 can (16 ounces), plus 1 cup vanilla frosting Green food coloring 4 jumbo cupcakes in green paper liners 4 standard cupcakes in green paper liners 4 mini cupcakes in green paper liners 2 cups (about 16 ounces) colored jelly beans 4 yellow fruit candies 1 cup coconut jelly beans Tint vanilla frosting dark green with food coloring. Spoon some frosting into freezerweight zipper bag or pastry bag fitted with a small star tip. Snip small (1/8-inch) corner from zipper bag.

Trim tops of jumbo and standard cupcakes to make flat.

Spread thin layer of frosting on each cupcake. Pipe green frosting around cupcake edges, always pulling frosting away from center. Pipe second row of frosting inside first, overlapping slightly. Leave center of cupcake open. Cover tops of mini cupcakes completely.

Stack cupcakes to make tree shape with jumbo cupcakes as the base, a standard cupcake in the middle and a mini cupcake on top, pressing each layer to secure.

Jelly Belly

Press green jelly beans randomly over all cupcakes. Cut remaining colored jelly beans in half crosswise. Press cut sides of beans into frosting to show as lights, all over cupcakes.

Using small 1-inch star cookie cutter or scissors, cut yellow fruit candies into star shapes for the tops of trees. Press star candies on top of cupcakes.

Arrange coconut jelly beans all around base of cupcake trees to represent snow.

Brown Sugar Spice Party Mix 6 cups vanilla Chex cereal 1/2 cup whole roasted almonds 1/2 cup whole roasted cashews 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons dark corn syrup 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ cup gluten-free yogurt-covered cranberries or yogurt-covered raisins Measure cereal and nuts into large microwavable bowl; set aside.

In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave butter on high 30 seconds; stir and microwave 30 seconds longer or until butter is melted. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and spices. Heat until boiling, about 30 seconds. Pour over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated.

Microwave uncovered on high about 3 minutes, stirring every minute, until mixture

Chex

is glazed. Cool 5 minutes; stir in cranberries.

Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container.

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TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT

HOLIDAY DECOR

The Christmas Wreath

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oliday decorating enthusiasts know that the days of hanging the store-bought wreath on the outside of your door are gone. This year, personalize it.

(GSM) — The plastic, uninspiring versions just don’t cut it. Today’s wreaths are infused with personality, craftiness and attention to detail. We use color, nature, paper and bows to dress up the decorative pieces that adorn our doors, walls and mantles.

And pulling off a high-end wreath design is a snap. You can create a wreath worthy of a decorating magazine in just a few short steps: • Paint your pinecones: Gluing a few pinecones to your wreath is a great way of adding a natural touch, but • Spray glitter: We could consider painting them first all use a little more glam in a rich, metallic red to really in our holiday decorations, make them pop off the green right? Add a bit of shimmer backdrop of you wreath.

• Add a Christmas card: Affix a Christmas card to the middle of your wreath for a unique touch. The card will scream “home for the holidays” to your guests and provide a paper element to your wreath. Laminate the card or spray it with a coat of sealant to help it stand up to the wintertime weather.

• Curled paper: And speaking of ways to incorporate paper into your wreath, you can use scrapFrom the book paper strips to make a tree topper version that can last forever. to the tablecloth, Choose colorful paper with your home’s holiday various patterns, cut into theme should have strips and curl them into a consistent color, loops by tightly wrapping story and design. them around a pencil. Glue your strips to a foam craft circle, alternating colors for an interesting look.

• Square wreaths: Christmas decorating is all about being creative. What’s more non-traditional than a square wreath? Build your own square-box form out of thin plywood and secure various leaves, berries, glass ornaments and ribbons.

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to your wreath this year with spray glitter. Choose two colors of spray to give your wreath a balanced look.

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