1. Designing Centerpieces and Holiday Arrangements

2. Next Generation Science / Common Core Standards Addressed!  CCSS.ELA Literacy. RST.11 ‐ 12.3 Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks; analyze the specific results based on explanations in the text.  CCSS.ELA Literacy.RST.11 ‐ 12.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain ‐ specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 11–12 texts and topics.  Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain ‐ specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades11–12 texts and topics.

3. Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource Standards Addressed  PS.04.02. Create designs using plants.  PS.04.02.01.a. Research and summarize the principles and elements of design for use in plant systems.  PS.04.02.01.b. Apply principles and elements of design that form the basis of artistic impression.

4. Bell Work / Student Objectives  1. Identify the types of centerpieces.  2. Learn how to take a centerpiece order.  3. Describe floral arrangements for holidays.

5. Vocabulary  Candle holder  Conical centerpieces  Cornucopia  Novelty designs  Paddle wire  Plush animal  Raffia  Votive candles

6. Interest Approach Look at these examples of centerpieces which are found at weddings. Discuss the characteristics of these pieces (height, color, style, etc.)

7. What Are Some Types of Centerpieces?  Centerpieces have been around since the 18th century.  They should be attractive and colorful since they are viewed on all sides.  Traditional pieces are low so that conversation at the table is uninterrupted.  Contemporary pieces, such as topiaries, add a bit of color and design above eye level.  Buffet centerpieces may be one-sided and coordinate with the dining room pieces.

8. Types of Centerpieces:  Bud vases are small arrangements suitable for placing on long rectangular tables at intervals.  Have one to three flowers.  Inexpensive to create.  Small vase arrangements are designed in vases in proportions of 1 to 1 so that they do not obstruct vision.  More colorful and emphasize flowers.  Can be symmetrical or asymmetrical based on the theme.

9.  Round centerpieces are suited for round or square tables.  May be made of one type of flower or a mixture of several varieties and colors.  Container should also be round and low.  Contour may be round or triangular.  Oval centerpieces are similar to round ones but are more suitable for oval or rectangular tables.  Containers can be rectangular, oval or circular with a low rim.  Contour may be round or triangular.

10. Designing a Round Centerpiece  1. Select a low container with a large diameter.  2. Position a moistened piece of floral foam in the center and secure.  Trim the foam edges  Secure with tape  3. Add greens in a circular pattern.  4. Primary flower placements will establish the height and the width.  5. Secondary placements will fill in space between the primary placements.  6. Add additional flowers to fill in the empty gaps.  7. Add filler flowers if desired.  8. Insert accent material if desired.

11. Centerpiece Styles Continued  Conical centerpieces are cone-shaped or three dimensional isosceles triangles.  A centerpiece that looks like a Christmas tree would be conical.

12.  Accessories can be added to create a certain atmosphere or interest  Should be in harmony with the design and properly placed  Candles are often used and can be stabilized using a candle holder - round at the top to secure the candle and pronged at the other end to fit in foam  Place at least 1” apart if using more than one  Ribbon, fruit, cones, etc. Can also be used

13. What Information Is Needed When Taking a Centerpiece Order?  Gathering information is extremely important in order to make decisions about the design of a centerpiece for a particular event.  The following is a suggested checklist.  1. When is the event, date, time and how much time is needed to set up?  2. Where is the location and what is the size of the room?  3. What is the style of the room?

14.  4. What are the room colors, and what are the colors associated with the event or event sponsor?  5. What is the preferred style of the event (formal, informal, casual, contemporary, elegant)?  6. How many tables will need centerpieces and what are the shapes and sizes of the tables?  7. How many additional floral designs will be needed?  8. What is the budget for flowers?

15.  A florist should visit the site and become familiar with the surroundings prior to creating the floral work  Sometimes the banquet hall or hotel will have mirrors or candles that may be used, but they have to be reserved in advance.

16. What Are Some Primary Holiday Centerpieces?  Flowers play a large part in many holiday celebrations  A variety of designs might be offered by a florist; Sample designs are listed below  Valentine’s day:  A dozen roses with baby’ breath arranged in a vase  Red carnations and white mums with a plush animal or chocolates  A plush animal is a stuffed figurine or animal

17.  St. Patrick’s day:  Green tinted carnations  Pots of oxalis (shamrocks)  Easter:  Novelty designs, which resemble kittens, or ice cream, for example are popular  Use pastel or bright colors where appropriate  Easter lilies also popular

18.  Mother’s day:  Spring flower arrangements and corsages  Novelty containers emphasizing the season are popular  Halloween:  Arrangements in fall colors, hollowed out pumpkins or cornucopia are ideal  Thanksgiving:  Centerpieces are the major arrangements  Use of analogous colors - red, orange, yellow

19.  Thanksgiving, cont:  Often a cornucopia (a cone or horn shaped container of flowers, fruits and vegetables) is used  Raffia, a fibrous material made from palm trees, offers natural ribbon to fall arrangements  Christmas:  Busy season for holiday design work in both artificial and real flowers

20.  Christmas cont:  Wreaths made by wholesaler or florist and then decorated  Centerpieces often accented with votive candles (short, stocky candles placed in holders in the arrangement)

21. Steps to Wreath Design  Use a pre-made wire frame and paddle wire, a piece of wood with wire wrapped around it  Prepare small bunches of greenery and lay them on the wire frame  Wrap the bundles and the frame with wire a few times to secure  Continue adding bunches, wrapping each one until a complete circle is made

22. Summary  What did the traditional centerpieces look like?  Identify at least three types of centerpieces and describe their design.  Name some accessories that can be added to centerpieces to accent them.  What are some questions that need to be asked when placing a centerpiece order?  What kind of design can be used for valentine’s day?  Easter? Thanksgiving? Christmas?  How do you create a wreath?

23. The End!