Outdoor holiday decorating

[mtakac]

I'm very excited b/c we bought our first house in July and I get to decorate it for Christmas! I was looking at decorations the other day and overhead a woman say that wreaths and garland with the artificial berries aren't good for outside. The berries swell and burst and you're left with exposed white foam. Before overhearing this, I was leaning towards the berry wreath and garland -now I'm torn. Is there something I could spray them with, like a clear acrylic paint, that would prevent this from happening? Thanks! Micki

 

[LittleBlue22]

I don't know about the bursting part, but b/c of outdoor elements your berries would be affected by the weather. The only thing I can think of is to get the wreath/garlands you like and then every couple years or so, replace the berry sprays.

 

[golfgal]

If they are foam berries, yes, the color will chip off. I have some that I use indoors and I have that problem. Find some all plastic ones for outside and you will be fine.

 

[LittleBlue22]

Came up with another bizaar suggestion. If you were up to it, you could repaint the the berries (if plastic) with nail polish. Very tedious, but the acrylic nail polish would definately stick.

 

[mtakac]

Came up with another bizaar suggestion. If you were up to it, you could repaint the the berries (if plastic) with nail polish. Very tedious, but the acrylic nail polish would definately stick.

Funny you should mention that. I thought along those lines with some garland I bought with gold berries. The leaves are green but I figured I could just spray paint the entire things gold next year if the berries pop. I checked out Pat Catan's Craft Store (I think I'm on my 6th store), and their berries are more oval shaped than round and they are hard. They might hold up better. Also, their wreaths are a lot less expensive than Michael's so I wouldn't mind replacing them every year.

Thanks for the suggestions!