By Mary Carol Garrity

Tribune News Service

As a kid growing up in Atchison, Kan., my playground was the campus of nearby Benedictine College. Talk about an awesome yard to play in. Especially on winter days when the snow-covered hills were crying out for sledding. We’d bundle up and sled until our fingers and toes were numb.

Maybe that’s why I was so drawn to this nostalgic door treatment, one of several fabulous looks created by Bev, our floral designer, to inspire you as you dress your door for Christmas.

To build this sensational display, Bev started with a decorative wooden sled, then picked out some winter floral picks to create a simple swag descending down one side of the sled. She wired in some tree ornaments and finished off with twists of plaid ribbon.

Embellished wreath

If you are pressed for time, hanging a simple wreath on your door is a great option. But if you have a few extra minutes, embellish the wreath just a bit to up its impact. Bev started this cheerful treatment with a sweet wreath that twists together bright red berries and an assortment of greens. To give it even more pizzazz, she wired in one of the rustic metal bells we’re crazy about this year. The ribbon flourish looks fancy, but is really easy to pull together. All you need is two one-yard sections of wired holiday ribbon. We carry the kind that looks sensational on both sides so when you twist it, there is no “wrong” side showing. Bev created a loop with both ribbons then secured them with a zip tie. It’s a great cheater move for those of us who cannot tie a pretty bow to save our life.

Magnolia wreath

This magnolia leaf wreath is so lush and lovely, it could also stand on its own. But look how sensational it is with a few added touches. Bev grabbed a pile of plastic zip ties and got to work, popping in a few red and green tree ornaments, some red berry picks and, at the top, a cardinal and her nest. The final flourish — velvet green ribbon — takes the wreath to a new level.

A simple look

I adore this sweet, simple look — it’s perfect for a farm house or a home with an informal entrance. The show-stealer is this cluster of inexpensive metal bells. They are fairly lightweight and jingle when they are moved, so every time the door opens and closes, it puts you in the holiday mood.

Bev clustered the bells with some red berry picks, ribbons and a Merry Christmas tree ornament. I need something unbreakable like this on my door because anything I put up there gets knocked off about three or four times by Dan and Lyric, coming in and out for their morning walks.

Elegant wreath

Holiday decorations don’t have to be traditional red and green to be festive. Bev started with a wonderful juniper berry wreath. She zip-tied in a few tree ornaments, twists of lush ribbon and picks of gold frosted berries and leaves.

The wonderful thing about all these treatments is they are beautiful and achievable. You just need the right tools — an interesting base (like a wreath or something fun like the sled), some ribbon, winter floral picks and Christmas tree ornaments. Oh, and a pile of plastic zip ties. Can’t wait to see what you put on your door this year!