By ANNE KAZMIERCZAK
anne@iolaregister.com
Traditional to trendy Christmas decor is everywhere at Duane’s Flower Shop, 5 S. Jefferson Ave. on the Iola square.
“Lime and purple is good this year,” noted Duane McGraw of the latest look in holiday color. One of the many trees at Duane’s is decked out in just that. Large purple and lime balls, tufts of glittery green “ting ting,” fern sprays and sparkly twisted branches poke out at odd angles, making the tree vibrant and alive.
The glitter-covered sprays and sprigs are very popular this year, Duane added, noting all come in silver, copper, gold and red as well as the brilliant green. “It’s all glitz,” he said of the collection.
And glitz is in — big time.
Whole garlands of glitter can be had. “You wrap it around your tree,” Duane said — or banisters or railings or mantels or wreaths. “It’s best you put it on first, before you add your decorations,” he advised.
Also in this year are words. The look that has adorned walls and desks in recent memory has moved onto the holiday tree, he said.
Ornaments proclaiming “Cheer” and “Ho Ho Ho” as well as placards promoting peace now hang from boughs and branches.
Ceramic tile ornaments can be personalized with a ceramic marker or Sharpie, Duane said. They can even be used as place markers in a table setting, making a lovely holiday keepsake.
Even bottles of bubbly get festive this year with stained glass ornaments meant to loop around the bottle top. They work equally well on trees, Duane noted, pointing to a bright red cardinal that would be at home in any woodland scene. At the flower shop, “we use them on bud vases,” he said.
It seems, this year with ornaments, the bigger the better. “Put the larger ornaments on the outside,” Duane suggested, “and tuck in smaller ones,” making a tree look fuller.
On a bird-themed tree, ostrich feathers furl from boughs while little red birds peek out from the core. Pine cones keep it real while sparkly red ting ting adds a needed touch of glitz.
“I think everything needs to tell a story,” Duane said of his themed trees.
In his home, Duane said, the family’s three trees do just that.
“In the sunroom, everything is home made. It’s all things the kids have made. Downstairs, we have an outdoor theme with bears and deer and antlers.” Upstairs, he said, wife Judy’s look is “all cut glass — everything is clear” a timeless, elegant note.
Duane said that at the store, every look is up for grabs.
“Everything’s for sale,” he said. “Even the window displays,” which also can be rented. Too for wreaths and mantel pieces, he said.
“Sometimes a family or organization wants something to dress up a holiday table or party,” he noted, adding he will also make displays on request.
There are even discounted ornaments, at 50 or 75 percent off. Sports fans, too, can find their favorite Kansas team on bulbs and balls for Christmas boughs.
Another trends is outdoor ribbons, Duane said. Bows of mesh withstand wind and weather, he said.
While the store’s wreaths sport traditional red and green and candy cane colors, the fade-proof bows come in all colors of the rainbow, Duane said, perfect for outdoor weddings or receptions.
Duane is careful not to carry the same merchandise as other Iola stores, he said. His collection of snowmen is unique and “We don’t have the same angels.” His might be the only store with purple and pink advent candles, he noted.
And of course, Mylar balloons, pillow-soft plush toys, all occasion cards and funerary ornaments abound.
Duane’s Flower Shop, an authorized FTD florist, can also ship flowers anywhere in the world. Call him at 365-5723.
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