Christmas is a great time to use flowers in floral dispalys, table centres and candle arrangements.

Using floral arrangements instead of or as well as the Christmas tree will add that touch of individuality and does not have to be expensive.

A simple handful of flowers can be transformed into a stunning arrangement by using plenty of different textured greenery which many will have available in their gardens.

One of Chrissies' wonderful designs

Even pieces of old Christmas decoration and ribbon can be very effective for dressing up a plant pot or display.

If you need some inspiration for your designs, we recommend a visit to this rather special website by Chrissi Harten.

There are many pictures of classical and modern flower arrangements with full details of the plant materials and techniques used.

For those who enjoy flower arranging or want to learn to do their own arrangements, the Floral Design Magazine provides a wealth of ideas, tips and information.