It’s that time of year.The air is...
It’s that time of year.
The air is dry, the leaves are brown, the days are short and Christmas trees will no doubt soon pop up in every department store window.
So before you untangle the string of colored lights and drag out the dust-covered house decorations, check out the South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation’s 20th annual “Holiday in the Garden†for some new ideas about home decor.
This year’s theme is “Home for the Holidays,†featuring floral and garden displays and table settings with a holiday flair.
“We’re trying to make this a festive holiday occasion,†said Norma Cantafio, executive director for the foundation. “It’s a way for people to learn how to set their home up for the holiday season.â€
Although there will be some table settings and decorations that could be used for the Thanksgiving weekend, Cantafio said the main flavor of today’s event is for the end-of-the-year holidays, whether it be Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year’s.
Most of the design table settings will be provided by Las Gabrielinas, a South Bay garden club representing the Costa Verde district of the California Garden Clubs. Single design tables will be provided by other organizations and clubs, including the San Pedro Garden Club, the South Coast Camellia Society and the Riviera Garden Club.
These displays will not be for sale, but are intended to give viewers ideas and suggestions on how they can enhance their home’s decor during the holidays.
However, there will be baked goods, plants and handcrafted gifts such as wreaths for sale, and the Botanic Garden’s gift shop will be open as well.
In addition to the displays and table settings, there will also be a demonstration and lecture at 1 p.m. on how to construct some colorful all-purpose holiday containers.
And between 2 and 4 p.m., the foundation will present its Apple Festival featuring apple lore, apple tastes and apple crafts, such as how to create decorations and ornaments out of dried apples.
Children can experience the Japanese art of origami by creating Christmas ornaments and animals out of folded paper, also between 2 and 4 p.m.
The “Holiday in the Garden†will take place in the Francis Young Auditorium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the South Coast Botanic Garden at 26300 Crenshaw Blvd. on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Admission is $3 for adults, $1.50 for senior citizens and students, 75 cents for children 5 to 12 and free for foundation members. The foundation is a volunteer, nonprofit support organization.
Admission fees will go to the county to help keep the 87-acre garden open.
