New Penny, I really liked your idea, so when I came across this big Christmas ball I couldn't resist! My picture is not too great because of the reflections, but I actually found some very small pottery to plant in it too. It has Irish moss, creeping Jenny, blue lobelia, and wolly thyme in the pot. This was a lot of fun, and I'll be giving some for Christmas this year~thanks for sharing your great idea! Trudi :0)

Mo, I just vacuum the whole business up before I start to take down anything. I don't even try to save any from year to year. Maybe I should consider the cotton batting that Jamie suggested. I've always used the snow because I've found it covers up a multitude of sins. Hi Kathleen, Thanks for the vocabulary lesson! My mother is turning over in her grave because I didn't bother to look it up myself BEFORE I posted. Thank goodness I used the right spelling in the title (pure luck though). Now, weed out the cwap and get things set up. OA

I would add a few items to the list -- (for Rusty) The berries on the centerpieces are NOT edible -- no amount of chewing will make those painted styrofoam pieces into REAL berries (which you don't like anyway). (for Ginger) See rule #10. You may NOT bite Santa, even if he's wearing a hat. I know you hate hats on men, but you may not bite Santa. Read that list to them?? I will hand them the list and expect they read it themselves -- pffft... a dog that can't read??

Yeah grouting around each bulb was a treat. I had them wrapped up with the blue tape, but still got some grout on them. And drilling the holes for the wire to go through - well, I broke 3 bits. My DH warned me they were very thin and fragile. In fact, one bit has become one with the tree - still stuck inside the wood. Three out of the four trees will be gifts. The last one I do will be for me. Cutting the leaves has now left both the first 3 fingers on each hand with teensy cuts all over each. Was ouchy for a day, but the work must go on!