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Find free holiday decor in your own backyard

Master Gardeners Patricia Alvarado, left, and Charlie Hindes teach seniors how to decorate for the holidays on a budget. (Photos: Jeannette Warnert)
Master Gardeners Patricia Alvarado, left, and Charlie Hindes teach seniors how to decorate for the holidays on a budget. (Photos: Jeannette Warnert)

Two Master Gardeners taught a group of seniors how they can easily create lovely Christmas ornaments, wreaths and gifts while minimizing their holiday spending.

Charlie Hindes and Patricia Alvarado suggested getting creative with boughs, sprays and berries cut from trees and plants outside the home, and picking up dropped acorns, seed pods and pinecones while walking along a trail or park.

To make a wreath for the front door, Hindes twisted still-green grapevines into a circle and let them dry. He later used hot glue to artfully attach the greenery and plant matter he collected along with rose hips and store-bought moss, nuts and cinnamon sticks.
To make a wreath for the front door, Hindes twisted still-green grapevines into a circle and let them dry. He later used hot glue to artfully attach the greenery and plant matter he collected along with rose hips and store-bought moss, nuts and cinnamon sticks.
 
 
A popular plant in Fresno gardens, succulents can be used in many holiday projects. Hindes displayed a Christmas tree he made with succulent clippings hot glued onto a Styrofoam form. “The hot glue doesn't hurt the succulents,” he said. “You can mist them occasionally to refresh. After the holidays, take it apart, plant the succulents back in the ground, tray or pot, and use them again next year.” Hinde's tree featured jade plant, blue spruce groundcover, echeveria, aeonium, elephant plant and
Hindes displayed a Christmas tree he made with succulent clippings hot glued onto a Styrofoam form. “The hot glue doesn’t hurt the succulents,” he said. “You can mist them occasionally to refresh. After the holidays, take it apart, plant the succulents back in the ground, tray or pot, and use them again next year.” Hinde’s tree featured jade plant, blue spruce groundcover, echeveria, aeonium, elephant plant and other succulents, plus dried lemon slices, mini pinecones and acorns.
  
 
Avarado winds fresh oregano sprigs from the garden into a small wreath, then lets it dry. She adds a red bow to create a pretty and fragrant ornament.
Avarado wound fresh oregano sprigs from the garden into a small wreath, then let it dry. She added a red bow to create a pretty and fragrant ornament.

 

Avarado created potpourri by drying last summer's flower petals and placing them inside an inexpensive organza bag. She added a dried rose, a small ribbon and a few drops of fragrant essential oil to make a thoughtful hostess gift.
Avarado created potpourri by drying last summer’s flower petals and placing them inside an inexpensive organza bag. She added a dried rose, a small ribbon and a few drops of fragrant essential oil to make a thoughtful hostess gift.

The event was part of a series of frugal living classes held at the Clovis Senior Center. Instructor Carol Lawson-Swezy created the series to teach participants how to find ways to save money in many areas of their lives. The next session runs from Jan. 10 to March 13, 2024, and will include sessions on such topics as low-cost disaster planning, car buying, end-of-life issues and cooking. Hindes will be joined by another Master Gardener, Richard Hardwick, to present a class on small-space gardening on a budget Feb. 21, 2024. To register, visit http://www.clovisseniors.org.