Madeline Yanni is an instructor of Botanical Crafts in NYBG’s Continuing Education program.

With autumn and the holidays at hand, it’s an inspiring time to bring the outdoors inside by creating botanical centerpieces, topiaries, wreaths, gifts, and more. Handmade items can save you money and even time—I like to make crafts that, with some interchangeable elements such as candles or ribbons, can be used in more than one season.

The Continuing Education program offers a number of hands-on craft courses to help you decorate your home with your own creations throughout the year, including this Saturday’s Holiday Crafts all-day program.
Even if you’ve never done this before, don’t be inhibited. No experience is necessary. Come take a class or two.

I want to draw out your creativity and whet your appetite for this fun way to decorate with a step-by-step guide to creating a simple, inexpensive, wreath for your table. It can be changed from season to season and can also be used on your wall. It is made from a grapevine wreath adorned with parchment roses, seeded Eucalyptus, other botanicals, and pillar candles—materials available at a crafts store. Feel free to improvise and use other types of botanicals.

As with any crafts project, first read the instructions and collect the necessary materials.
Are you ready? Let’s begin!