Cranberry Christmas Tree

By: Kathleen George for STYROFOAM Brand Foam

Present your cranberry Christmas tree at your next family holiday. Wooden bead garland tops of this great piece. It's quick and easy to make and you can preserve it for years to come. The great thing about this cranberry topiary tree is that you can also use this for Valentine's Day, too! Great to have out all winter long, this colorful winter staple is a great decoration to add to your winter collection.

Materials:

(1) 12" STYROFOAM* Brand Foam Cone
24-30 Preserved lemon or magnolia leaves
Acrylic craft paint, red
Wooden bead garland, dark red
Silk cardinal, or other treetop ornament
Sphagnum moss
Floral wire or u-shaped floral pins
Wire cutters
Paintbrush
Low temperature glue gun and glue sticks

Instructions:

Paint cone red; let dry.
If using floral pins, skip to Step 3. If using floral wire, cut wire in 3" - 3-1/2" lengths and bend in a u-shape.
Starting at the bottom, glue garland around cone; insert floral pins or u-shaped floral wire between beads and into cone for extra hold. Continue wrapping garland around cone until it is completely covered.
Glue preserved leaves around bottom of cone. Insert small pieces of sphagnum moss into cracks and gaps between beads. Glue cardinal, or other ornament, to top.