Would you like yoursDecorate your balcony for Christmas? For the upcoming Christmas season, we'll tell you how you can make beautiful Christmas decorations for balcony railings yourself. This winter arrangement of branches, candles and winter greenery is easy to make, costs little and is long-lasting as it can withstand cold and weather. This DIY idea is also ideal for decorating yourWindow sill outside. It is important that it is securely attached to the railing so that it does not tip over and endanger passers-by below.
Christmas decoration for balcony railings made of branches and greenery
All materials can be found in the garden or made from old Christmas decorations. You will need floral foam (approx. 0.50 euros) and a spray can of white paint (approx. 2 euros) to color the branches.
Materials required:
- 10 willow branches at least two meters long, straight and unbranched
- 5-6 curled hazelnut or willow branches, freshly cut, that is, with the bark still green, 80-100 cm long
- Spray paint in white
- Floral foam with its plastic plate
- 3 large pillar candles, preferably at different heights
- Branches of ivy, Arizona cypress, holly, thuja and Elaeagnus shrub
- Jute twine, wide gift ribbon
- Flower tape, plastic spatula or euvy needles 120 mm
- Christmas balls with a diameter of more than 10 cm and florist wire in silver
Tying the branches together
After you have measured your balcony railing, cut the willow branches to the desired length. Around two meters is usually optimal. The branches should be arranged so that each end has both thin and thicker parts. Once the bundle is formed, tie it in the middle with enough string to hold it in place (Photo 1).
Hold the bundle in the center and spray the branches with the white spray paint (Photo 2). Make sure the wind direction is right so that the particles don't reach you. It is best to work in calm air and outdoors, away from flammable materials and from walls or surfaces where “flying” spray particles can stick and leave stains. Twist the bundle to paint it on both sides. Finally, place the bundle on the floor on a sheet of newspaper or on a work surface and color the rest with small, targeted sprays. If you use disposable gloves, do not get your hands dirty. Allow the paint to dry for a few minutes.
The curled hazelnut branches should be freshly cut, as the green bark should stand out strongly from the white branches in color and shape. They should be half the length of the others so that they create a kind of fullness in the middle. Remove the leaves and any thinner branches. Attach them to the white bundle by arranging them one after the other and tie them together with the jute twine (Photo 3).
Fix candles on the floral foam
Now you should attach the three candles to the floral foam. This step is more complex than it may seem and requires attention. To begin, place the soaked foam on the plastic base, a kind of saucer (photo 4), because we need a stable part with which we can attach the floral foam to the balcony railing.
To secure the candles onto the sponge, insert a plastic spatula into the bottom of each candle so that they partially protrude. These should be at least half or a third of the candle height to ensure stability. If they are too long, trim them with scissors. You can also use ivy needles or another type of holder. The candles, which are close together but slightly offset, must now be inserted into the floral foam using the clips (photo 5).
For even more security, additional plastic needles are inserted into the sponge, creating a kind of fence around them (photo 6). The whole thing is then wrapped a few times with adhesive tape and permanently attached to the candles. It is important to pay attention to this step so that the candles do not fall over later due to strong winds.
Create the green waterfall
Now it's time to cover the floral foam with greenery - anything you can find for free in the garden is suitable. We used green ivy, variegated holly and elaeagnus, thuja and Arizona cypress. The slightly bendable branches are perfect for creating a waterfall effect. Start with the cypress branch (photo 7), with the holly next to it. Then move to the sides and make room for the Elaeagnus with its shiny, bright leaves and drooping ivy. Finally, the upper part is filled with the leftovers so that the plastic clips and adhesive tape at the base of the candles are not visible (photo 8). The arrangement should look good both from the front (full and without gaps) and from the side. It should fall harmoniously and naturally, be supported and not heavy (photo 9).
Attach the Christmas decorations to the balcony railing
The first elements to be attached to the balcony railing are the branches. Tie the bundle tightly to the railing using two different strings. First the normal jute twine, which is knotted in the middle (photo 10); then use a wide, green gift ribbon that is not very malleable to attach the branches even more securely. The longer white branches will fan out under the influence of their weight, while the hazelnut or willow branches will not deform.
Now you should make the bundle of Christmas balls. Each ball is attached to a very thin but strong florist's wire. Adjust the length so that the balls are at different heights (Photo 11). When the desired effect is achieved, tie all the threads together so that their position does not change. Then tie the wire bundle to the balcony railing, in a central location in relation to the branch bundle.
Finally, fix the floral foam with the candles (Image 12). Attaching to the handrail with a strap can present varying difficulties depending on the type of railing. The wider the handrail, the better. The candles must stand straight and the whole thing must be secured to the railing as tightly as possible. There should be three anchor points: one in the middle and two about 10cm from the ends. Use the tape, not string, which can cut the sponge with repeated use.
To make your Christmas decorations on the balcony even more beautiful, place lanterns and lanterns on the floor. Never leave burning candles unattended.
You might also be interested in:Decorate your balcony for Christmas: Simple, beautiful & cozy
