Say “Merry Christmas” loud and clear this year.

Use showy poinsettia blooms as cut flowers to enliven

all your holiday decorations.

Simply

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It's amazing the statement a single flower can make—and nothing is easier to display. Just trim

off a poinsettia and lay it on the plate,

opposite.

Tie on a name tag to create a place card. To

make the flower last a few days rather than a few hours, slip it into a water-filled vial, available at

crafts stores and florist's shops. Wrap the vial in paper to conceal it, or leave it as is.

Mass Appeal

Why settle for yet another

poinsettia set out in a

foil-covered pot? For a new

look, set wet blocks of florist's

foam on a row of trays. Then

cut poinsettia flowers from

the plant and insert them

to cover the foam entirely,

this photo.

Figure about six

flowers for every 12 inches

of foam.

Best of Christmas Ideas

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