Christmas gatherings are special, even without any holiday decorations. A certain Cindy Loo Who schooled the Grinch on that! But oh how special a gathering feels when you’re surrounded by festive lights, and some fresh greenery to liven things up. It truly does make a dinner or party more magical.
While there are folks who can’t wait to unleash the holiday spirit and begin decorating, it may seem a little too overwhelming for some. We’re here to help, no matter which camp you’re in!
If decorating comes easy to you, stop by Eising Greenhouses when you’re ready for fresh greenery, planters and some new decor.
If the thought of decorating is daunting, here are five simple steps to make it easier - for Christmas, or any special holiday!
5 Simple Steps for Easy Christmas Decorating
1 - Where to decorate. Even if it seems like it’s too early, pour yourself a cup of tea, crack open a notepad and let your imagination begin to percolate. Think about the area(s) you would like to “spruce” up! Front entrance? Living room? Dining room? Think about things like where in the house your party will take place, and whether or not you want a theme or a specific colour palette. Pinterest can help if you need inspiration and we have some Holiday Home Decor Ideas You Can Make Yourself to inspire you as well.
2 - Plan early. Look at your ‘Where To Decorate’ ideas and begin to create a wish list. What will you need to decorate the space(s) you’re imagining? Garland? Wreaths? Centrepieces? A tree? Once you have a wish list, make a plan for what to buy, and what to make.
3 - Schedule it. One of our family’s mottos is that if it’s not scheduled and on the calendar, it never happens. If you find that’s the case for you, use the plan you’ve made and begin to schedule dates to pick up the things you will need, and when you will make or decorate. Next, invite family and friends to join in. Why do this alone? Decorating can be a big part of holiday fun. For example, have everything ready to make or decorate while you watch your favourite holiday movies with friends or family.
4 - Declutter. Now that you have a plan and dates are set, reducing what is in the space will make decorating easier when that day comes. Move, or pack away anything that will limit space or detract from the new holiday decor you’re planning. Editing and clearing out what you have will really draw attention to the Christmas items you’re about to add!
5 - Incorporate natural elements. The holidays are the best time of year to incorporate natural decorations. It’s the only time of year we bring evergreens to the front porch and into our living room. If you’ve never used them, here is our How to Decorate with Fresh Greenery for Christmas guide.
Then, come see us at Eising Greenhouses, and pick out your fresh greenery, wreaths and decorations. You can also select from holiday plants like Amaryllis, Paperwhites and Christmas Cactus, and our arranged-for-you planters, urns and centrepieces. We can even create a custom arrangement in one of your favourite vases, urns, or that big Grinch-themed gravy boat from Aunt Martha if you leave it with us!
We hope these five tips and our holiday decorations help to make your Yule celebrations brighter, so you can sit back and enjoy the beauty of the holiday season!
If dull days have you feeling a little down, a fresh, green, tropical plant might just be the tonic to inject some life into your living space and brighten things up.
Go Green
Spring flowers are beautiful, but the hero of Spring is the abundance of green. As everything comes back to life, it’s the colour that begins to envelop us, and it just makes the world look so much better again.
Adding greenery to your home can have that same overall effect! If you’re new to houseplants, there’s really something for everyone. There are tropical plants that can be very easy to grow and require very little attention. Plant care (how often they need water) and conditions (how much light they need) are two main factors to think about when choosing the best indoor plants for you.
Here are four beautiful houseplants to consider:
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata or Snake Plant is a very hardy indoor plant, some say nearly indestructible. It will grow in almost any amount of light - dark to bright, so it can be placed virtually anywhere in your home. These tough plants require very little water - only water them if the soil feels dry. Overwatering may lead to root rot, so save your love and attention for something else, your Snake Plant just needs a little sip now and then.
ZZ Plant
Wondering why the strange name? Technically its name is Zamioculcas zamiifolia…so let’s stick with ZZ! This is another easy to care for house plant. It likes bright, indirect light and some water every couple of weeks. Basically, a drink whenever the soil dries out. Not bad for a plant that looks like its shiny leaves have had a spa day.
Spider Plant
Spider Plants are predominantly known for their graceful arching foliage, but they do send out a stem of small, star-shaped flowers fairly regularly on mature plants adding to the beauty of this popular house plant. Bright indirect light is where it thrives, and it does enjoy regular watering. Humidity can also help the Spider Plant stay healthy which makes it a great candidate for a bathroom with a shower or tub in it.
String of Pearls
Tiny, pea shaped leaves that look like pearls on a string make this a very unique houseplant. Unique may be a code word for: this one needs a little more attention. It’s best grown in a plant hanger or on a shelf where its trailing lengths of pearls are undisturbed. Morning light is best, not full light in the heat of the afternoon. During its growing season in Spring and Summer, keep the soil moist. It can be watered less in the winter. This is a plant that you can talk to each day while you give it a little drink, and it may become a very loyal friend. String of Hearts or other succulent, trailing vines are also plants to consider when you come in to shop and you’re liking the sound of this one.
When you do come into the store to see us, we can help with any other questions that you may have, like whether or not fertilizer is recommended and when to repot. Or, read this article on Tropical Plant Care.
When you pick out your new tropicals, we also have a great selection of decorative pots to place your new plants in to enhance your decor.
Eising Exotics
If you’re looking for a really special feature plant, or maybe to make your garden or pool area feel like you’ve been transported to a southern paradise, it’s time to pre-order larger palms and tropical plants! Shopping for these tropicals will surely make you feel like warm Summer breezes are just around the corner. Visit the Eising Exotics page now to view what’s available and place your pre-order.
Now that everything in the garden has been put to bed for the winter, our thoughts are on the holidays - decorating, parties, and that seemingly never-ending list of gifts. At Eising Garden Centre we have solutions to help bring joy to your holiday season.
Your Gift Giving Problem Solver
We know that finding the perfect gift for someone can be a challenge. There’s always that one person that has everything and it’s impossible to buy for them! The good news is that we have plenty to offer at Eising Garden Centre so that you can cross even the most perplexing person off your list.
For Fashion Lovers
You’ve probably heard it before - accessorizing is the key to making any outfit sing. At the Sassyfras Boutique you’ll find beautiful, casual clothing as well as hats, mitts, winter scarves, plus socks for men and women. They also have jewelry and handbags that are sure to add flair to any ensemble.
For The Wanderer
If you have friends or family members that love to travel, new sunglasses, beach towels, a fashionable scarf, a roomy handbag, or new pajamas from Sassyfras are sure to be a hit.
Your Just Retired Husband Or Wife
If they no longer have to go into the office every day and don’t know what to do, give them a challenge!
Pick up some seed packets to get them started on planning and maybe even planting for Spring.
Growing indoor flower bulbs can be a fun project to brighten winter days too. You’ll be amazed by the dainty blooms of Paperwhites versus the massive blooms of an Amaryllis!
Or how about a Sprouting Kit to grow tasty, organic greens all winter long? Let’s face it, we all know that healthy eating will be on the New Year’s Resolutions list!
Deck The Halls, And More
When decorating your home or getting ready to host a holiday party, come see us first.
While supplies last, we have lots of fresh Christmas trees (call us to check availability (519) 428-4607), ornaments and Christmas decor, fresh greenery, garlands, urns, wreaths, hanging baskets, centrepieces, and live plants like Cyclamen, Frosty Ferns and of course, Poinsettias.
Did you know that we also create custom containers? Bring in your own vase or container for centrepieces and urns, and we’ll do the rest. We’ll create an arrangement that will make that vase that 'Aunt Martha' gave you, sparkle with fresh greenery and holiday flair.
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Holiday Parties and Hostess Gifts
Solve the “I have nothing to wear to a party” blues, with a wardrobe “pick me up” from Sassyfras.
While you’re there, check out the selection of lovely locally handmade soaps, and great houseware gift items like dish cloths, scrubbies, and wine or bottle openers. Perfect gifts for your party host.
There’s also a wide variety of potted plants in the garden centre, and beautiful decorations that any host or hostess would love to add to their holiday decor!
For Your Kid’s Teacher
Let your child’s teacher know that you recognize that they’re already looking forward to summer vacation by giving them an Eising gift card. Once May rolls around, they can pick up plants that will bring them joy all summer long!
Great Gifts We Recommend
Eising gift cards go a long way too since they can be used on anything in the shop, including Sassyfras. A gift card is a great way to help someone with their next landscaping project, or even Spring garden clean up. Now that’s something to look forward to!
Not into gift cards? We have a great selection of items you could bundle together into your own custom gift basket! Think of all the things that you would love to get and we think someone on your list will love them too!
Soak Up The Holiday Mood
We know that you love wandering through the greenhouses when they’re full of summer plants, but we also invite you to stop by to visit us in November and December to enjoy the winter paradise we’ve created for your gift giving and decorating inspiration.
Take the pressure off the holidays and join us for Starlight Shopping Night on Thursday, December 8th. On December 8th only, we’ll be open late - from 9am to 7pm! Enjoy the ambiance, the specials, the exciting draws, the extended shopping hours and get all of your gift buying done early!
You’ll find us at 814 Cockshutt Rd, Simcoe, ON Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm until December 23, and 9am to 2pm on December 24th.
After December 24th, we will be closed until Spring, but the greenhouse elves will be working to have everything ready for you in 2023.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Eising Greenhouses & Garden Centre!