With Christmas just around the corner (I know, where has 2022 gone!?), it’s about this time we start thinking about what to give the loved ones in our lives. I find that, more often than not, people are more thrilled to receive a gorgeous floral arrangement than an expensive gift they may or may not use. The best thing about this is, gift bag floral arrangements are some of the easiest arrangements to put together!

 

A gift bag arrangement doesn’t even have to be in a bag – you could use baskets, reused jars, glasses and tins, and they can be as big or small as you like. All you need to create this unique gift is a few beautiful ingredients and some basic know-how.

 

Ingredients

 

• 2 x bunches Hybrid Tea Rose (use 2 different colours if you’d like) 
• 5 x stems Hydrangea 
• 1 x bunch Rhododendron Foliage 
• 3 x stems Berries or Grapes

 

Tools

 

• Basics Tool Pack (snips, apron, gloves)
• A gift bag of your choice (approximate size for this posy arrangement is 15cm × 15cm)
• Glass jar or plastic container (to place in bag or vessel)
• Clear plastic to line bag, e.g. a used shopping bag (only necessary if you are transporting your arrangement) 

Design Steps

 

• Line the gift bag with a plastic bag, ideally a used one.
• Add a half-filled jar with water to the base of the bag. The container/jar should not be taller than the bag’s height.
• Trim the plastic to the edge of the container so it is not visible.
• Prepare the flowers by removing all leaves below the junction point – this is the area where all the stems will meet in your hand when you hold them in the webbing between your thumb and first finger. You will need to leave approx 15-20cm of stem above the junction point with flowers and foliage, so anything below that can be stripped. 
• Once all leaves have been stripped, flowers should be laid out on the bench in their groups for you to commence creating your bouquet.
• Choose 4 stems of rhododendron foliage. Insert 1 stem into the centre of your junction point until it has a height similar to the height of the container you’re using. Then place 3 stems evenly around the central one at 45° angles with a height less than that of your first placement to create a domed appearance.
• Imagine a triangle placed over the foliage base, Place 1 stem of hydrangea at each point of the triangle. Place each stem on a slight angle facing out from the centre of your base.
• Place 1 hydrangea in the centre, you should be able to see the dome shape now.
• Now place the straightest and largest rose head in the centre of the central hydrangea.
• The bloom should just rest on top of the hydrangea. If the straightest rose does not have the largest bloom, choose straightness over the size of the bloom.
• Place a rose in the central part of each of the remaining 3 hydrangeas. Each rose should sit slightly lower than the central one and be inserted at a slight outward angle.
• Place 3 blooms of your second rose colour (if applicable) on an opposing triangle to the roses you’ve already placed. 
• Place another 3 blooms of your second rose on an opposing triangle to the other 3 roses of the same colour, but this time lower them slightly and insert at a 45° angle.
• Place the remaining roses on either side of the central rose.
• Add the berries by evenly dispersing them throughout the arrangement.
• You will have formed an evenly rounded dome shape. Now it is time to tie the bouquet with twine.
• Cut the stems short and add them to the jar/container within the gift bag.

Tips:

• Remember to top up the container daily with fresh water.
• Use pre-used gift bags rather than buying new ones. Mix and match gift bags to go with your chosen flowers to suit the theme.

I can’t wait to see all the Christmas arrangements you put together! Make sure to tag @bloomcollege on Instagram and Facebook so we don’t miss seeing your work.

Pssst! If you loved this super simple how-to, you can check out more in our new e-book, Beyond The Basics. Right now you can grab the whole book for just $17.50!