The Holly and the Ivy

A holy or kissing bough was placed at the entrance of every house and blessed by the local priest. Bad feeling that may have built up over the year would be hugged out beneath it.

Oakwell Hall near Birstall

We took our inspiration from Oakwell Hall near Birstall but we went for a more spherical design from a contemporary description.

First we took willow from a tree in the park (jumping up and down around a tree in the early morning waving scissors attracted a little attention but that's a matter for our alternative blog).

Our stairwell bough

We twisted the willow into a hoop. A second hoop (making an 'x' at the top) made the frame for the sphere.

Our smaller version

 It was then simple to twist and drape holly and ivy around the frame and add sprigs of mistletoe to the middle.






A couple of red bows top and bottom tied the whole thing together. We made one to hang from the staircase at the side entrance and one to hang from the light fitting just inside the visitors' entrance (just for fun try walking round a heritage house with a hammer saying "Just need to knock a couple of nails in.")

We were lucky enough to have an abundant supply of mistletoe but the same effect can be achieved easily with much more accessible materials. Or you could grow your own mistletoe if you're very patient.

Try:

www.gardenorganic.org.uk

www.buy.mistletoe.org.uk

Using the willow was historically accurate but a little droopy in the long term. If you don't mind compromising authenticity you could stick a bit of wire in so your sphere doesn't sag to an ovoid.