December is a whirlwind in the flower shop…answering phones between greening vases, grabbing bites of cold lunch when you can, and pushing through until closing time. This year for our Stems and Success series, I wanted to meet you where you are with bite-sized videos you can watch on your own time and come back to easily. But don't worry - I still packed in all the business savvy and design techniques you've come to expect. This month we're featuring four holiday designs that will impress both your customers and your bookkeeper. Each one showcases smart mechanics, efficient workflows, and strategic upselling opportunities that maximize your holiday profits without adding hours to your day. Let's deck some tables and boost those bottom lines!

Design #1: Elongated Arrangement in the ECOssentials™ Rectangle Planter

When designing for my cooler or website, I always envision where my customers will display the arrangement - it helps my creative process and arms me with selling scenarios. This elongated design shines on long dining tables or buffets with exceptional top-view interest. The OASIS®  Black Coated Floral Mesh mechanic not only appeals to eco-conscious customers but also provides sturdy structure while making water levels easy to monitor. Clean groupings and strategic flower placement keep this design modern, efficient, and profitable.

Perfect for: Long dining tables, coffee tables, or buffets

Profitability win: Birch poles and mesh add structure and coverage while keeping fresh material costs in check

Key Design & Sales Tips:

● ECOssentials™ eco-friendly container and OASIS® Black Coated Floral Mesh: Eco-conscious selling point that's easy for customers to maintain and reuse
● Strategic flower placement: Keep cost-effective blooms (dianthus, carnations, berries) low and premium flowers (star of Bethlehem, ranunculus) elevated for maximum impact
● Grouped greens on diagonal insertions create modern, clean lines while using just one stem of each variety
● Added value detail: Thread hypericum berries onto 18-gauge wire for a "garland" effect – a great way to use short laterals
● Container versatility: The ECOssentials™ Rectangle Planter takes Design Master paint beautifully, allowing you to order one case and create multiple looks

Design #2: Poinsettia-Inspired Centerpiece in the ECOssentials™ Designer Dish

Themed designs transform centerpieces into conversation pieces - and that's exactly what this poinsettia-inspired arrangement delivers. The simple addition of a wire flower and ornaments elevates an everyday arrangement into something memorable and Instagram-worthy. Monochromatic designs are visual winners in the cooler and give you flexibility with substitutions as long as you deliver on value. Plus, low lush arrangements are the perfect solution for using those short stems we all accumulate during busy holiday production.

Perfect for: Table centerpieces or gift giving

Profitability win: Themed designs with unexpected elements create conversation and justify higher price points, while monochromatic designs allow for design flexibility

Key Design & Sales Tips:

● DIY wire poinsettia: Use half a roll of OASIS® Metallic Wire in figure-eight loops with millimeter balls at center for themed impact
● Monochromatic red palette allows easy substitutions while maintaining visual appeal
● Low, lush style efficiently uses short stems and broken flowers
● Prep-ahead efficiency: Wire flowers can be created in advance for quick assembly-line production during rush times
● Container choice matters: The ECOssentials™ Designer Dish's deeper water reservoir and attractive finish requires less greening to cover, saving time and material costs

Design #3: Elevated Design in Harbor Pillar Vase with Coordinating OASIS® Design Ring

There's something about a footed vase that instantly reads as elegant and elevated, and the new Harbor Pillar delivers exactly that classical appeal. This design proves that keeping fresh components simple with a tight recipe makes for faster design time without sacrificing impact. The real magic happens when you upsell a coordinating base piece, turning a beautiful arrangement into a complete holiday centerpiece set. Tell your customers the story: stacked together before dinner, then separated for more impact…..now you've created a multi-use piece they'll treasure.

Perfect for: Multi-use holiday centerpieces, parties and high-end upsell opportunities

Profitability win: A two-piece set maximizes holiday profits while using up scraps

Key Design & Sales Tips:

● OASIS® Black Coated Floral Mesh grid mechanic creates full, airy designs without overstuffing (saves on greenery costs)
● Tape layering trick: Base layer of masking/scotch tape under waterproof tape and ribbon makes cleanup easier for customers and prevents scratches
● Radial grouped design is fast and efficient: work from outside edges in, one variety at a time
● Upsell with coordinating base piece: OASIS® Midnight Design Ring uses short/broken stems you're already pulling off, creating a complete "set"

Design #4: Winter Vignette "Terrarium" in Harbor Pillar Vase

Sometimes the most charming designs come from literal scraps - broken stems, random berries, bits of faux stems - arranged intentionally inside a beautiful vessel. This winter vignette approach is perfect for customers wanting something unique for corporate gifts, small spaces or holiday parties. The Harbor Pillar's size creates the perfect canvas for a miniature winter scene that can stand alone or be topped with a design for dramatic impact. Remember: negative space creates drama and value, and that visual interest is free money that sets your work apart.

Perfect for: Corporate gifts, holiday parties, sympathy arrangements, and plant upgrades

Profitability win: Negative space and the “terrarium” look creates drama and value while keeping material costs low

Key Design & Sales Tips:

● Use scraps creatively: Broken stems, random berries, and decorative bits become charming when styled as a winter scene inside the vase
● Layer for interest: OASIS® Midnight Floral Foam or OASIS® Renewal™ Floral Foam base, reindeer moss, fake snow, fresh flowers, and accents (pinecones, bottle brush trees, small plants)
● Poinsettia/amaryllis upgrade: Plant mini varieties in FibreFloral™ Design Media, add fresh flowers for elevated gift alternative
● Top with 9" LOMEY® Dish for dramatic statement piece perfect for corporate events or entryway arrangements
● Sympathy adaptation: Market as a "hurricane," upsell a candle or angel, add OASIS® Midnight Design Ring surround with strategic blooms framing the center

The holidays are your time to shine, and these four designs prove that profitability and creativity go hand in hand. Every design choice should work as hard as you do. Remember to tell the story when you're selling and help your customers envision these arrangements in their homes and celebrations. Use your scraps strategically, prep components ahead of time, and don't be afraid to show what you're capable of. Here's to a profitable December and a holiday season filled with beautiful work that pays you what you're worth.

Watch these holiday designs come to life:

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