Sarah Veldman

I’m writing an article for Gardening Know How inspired by Victoria and David Beckham’s Christmas tree, which Homes & Gardens recently highlighted as part of the 2026 bow trend. Last year’s tree used golden-yellow bows on traditional greenery rather than a crowded collection of ornaments, and it looked considered and individual without being over the top. The piece will show readers how to create an understated, elegant tree of their own, covering the decorating and the tree itself. Who I’m looking for: Please respond only if you are a professional in one of these fields: Interior designers or home stylists Professional Christmas or holiday decorators Florists or event stylists Christmas tree growers or farm owners Horticulturists or garden centre specialists Responses from outside these areas (for example, general trades, property, finance, or home services businesses) can’t be used, so please don’t send them. I’m looking for expert insight on any or all of the following: What makes a Christmas tree look understated and elegant rather than sparse or unfinished? How do you use bows and ribbon on a tree so it looks intentional? Is there a rule of thumb for size, spacing, and quantity? Which ribbon types, colors, and finishes work best (velvet, satin, grosgrain, gold, neutral), and which should be avoided? How do you mix bows with ornaments and lights without the tree looking cluttered? What are the most common mistakes people make when decorating a tree, and how do you avoid them? For real trees, which varieties hold their shape and needles best, and how should you choose a tree that suits a minimalist look? How do you care for a real tree so it stays fresh through the season, and does the care routine change if it’s heavily decorated? How can someone achieve this look on a small budget or with decorations they already own?

I’m writing an article for Gardening Know How inspired by Kate Hudson’s Christmas tree, which Homes & Gardens recently featured as part of the 2026 bow revival. Last year, Hudson dressed her tree with silver, bronze, and gold bows for a rich, metallic finish, and the look is being picked up again this season. Bows were a familiar feature of 1990s Christmas decorating, and part of their appeal now is that nostalgic quality. The piece will show readers how to create a nostalgic, personal tree of their own, covering both the decorating and the tree itself. Who I’m looking for: Please respond only if you are a professional in one of these fields: Interior designers or home stylists Professional Christmas or holiday decorators Florists or event stylists Christmas tree growers or farm owners Horticulturists or garden centre specialists I can’t use responses from outside these areas (for example, general trades, property, finance, or home services businesses), so please don’t send them. I’m looking for expert insight on any or all of the following: Why are nostalgic decorating styles, and bows in particular, making such a strong comeback for Christmas 2026? How do you create a nostalgic tree that feels personal and warm rather than dated? How do you use metallic bows (silver, bronze, gold) so the tree looks rich and layered rather than flashy? How do you mix old and new decorations, such as heirloom or vintage ornaments alongside new bows and ribbon? What are the most common mistakes people make with ribbon and bows on a tree, and how do you avoid them? Which real tree varieties suit a traditional, nostalgic look, and what should buyers look for when choosing one? How do you care for a real tree so it stays fresh and full through the holidays, especially with heavy ribbon and ornaments on the branches? How can readers refresh their decorations year to year without buying everything new?

I’m writing an article for Gardening Know How inspired by Kristin Davis’s DIY fall pumpkin display, a pumpkin filled with flowers, the largest being sunflowers. She sets a glass jar of water inside the hollowed pumpkin to keep the flowers fresh. It’s a simple, seasonal Thanksgiving centerpiece, and the piece will show readers how to make their own and keep it looking good through the holiday. Who I’m looking for: Please respond only if you are a professional in one of these fields: Florists or floral designers Interior designers, home stylists, or event stylists Professional seasonal or holiday decorators Pumpkin or cut flower growers Horticulturists or garden centre specialists I can’t use responses from outside these areas (for example, general trades, property, finance, or home services businesses), so please don’t send them. I’m looking for expert insight on any or all of the following: What makes a pumpkin-and-flowers centerpiece look polished and designed rather than thrown together? How do you choose a pumpkin for this, including size, shape, color, and stability, and how do you hollow it properly? Why is a glass jar or liner the best way to hold water inside a pumpkin, and how do you size and secure it? How do you condition and arrange sunflowers so they last, given their heavy heads and thick stems? Which flowers and foliage pair best with sunflowers in a fall arrangement, and how do you balance color, texture, and scale? How far ahead can you make a pumpkin centerpiece for Thanksgiving, and how do you keep the pumpkin and flowers fresh? How tall should a Thanksgiving centerpiece be so guests can still see and talk across the table? What are the most common mistakes people make with pumpkin vases, such as leaks, rot, and wilting, and how do you avoid them? Which other seasonal flowers work well, and how can readers get the look on a budget or with flowers from their own garden? What can readers do with the pumpkin and flowers afterward, such as composting or reusing?

I’m writing an article for Gardening Know How inspired by Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey’s Christmas trees. They decorate multiple trees, indoors and outdoors, in a traditional red and green palette with pine cones and red and green ribbons. The piece will show readers how to create the same classic, cohesive look across several trees, including how to decorate and care for the ones outside. Who I’m looking for: Please respond only if you are a professional in one of these fields: Interior designers or home stylists Professional Christmas or holiday decorators Florists or event stylists Christmas tree growers or farm owners Horticulturists, landscapers, or garden centre specialists I can’t use responses from outside these areas (for example, general trades, property, finance, or home services businesses), so please don’t send them. I’m looking for expert insight on any or all of the following: How do you keep a traditional red and green scheme looking rich and elegant rather than dated or overly busy? How do you use pine cones, ribbon, and ornaments together so the tree feels layered and natural? How do you create a cohesive look across multiple trees, so they feel like one scheme without being identical? What should readers know about decorating trees outdoors, including lights, ornaments, and ribbon that can handle rain, wind, and cold? Which trees work best outside, such as potted evergreens or living trees, and how do you choose and place them? How do you care for outdoor potted evergreens through the holidays so they stay healthy, and can they be planted afterward? How do you prepare and attach pine cones so they stay secure and look good indoors and out? What are the most common mistakes people make when decorating several trees or outdoor trees, and how do you avoid them? How do you care for a real indoor tree so it stays fresh, and how does that differ from caring for one outdoors? How can readers get this look on a budget, such as by foraging their own pine cones and greenery?

I’m writing an article for Gardening Know How inspired by Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling’s kitchen island, which Homes & Gardens recently featured for its miniature Christmas trees and seasonal foliage. The mini trees sit alongside the permanent fixtures rather than crowding the worktop. The piece will show readers how to make their own mini trees and festive displays from foliage cut from their own garden, so the look costs very little and uses what they already grow. Who I’m looking for: Please respond only if you are a professional in one of these fields: Florists or floral designers Interior designers, home stylists, or event stylists Professional seasonal or holiday decorators Horticulturists, landscapers, or garden centre specialists Christmas tree growers or nursery owners I can’t use responses from outside these areas (for example, general trades, property, finance, or home services businesses), so please don’t send them. I’m looking for expert insight on any or all of the following: Which garden evergreens and foliage work best for making mini Christmas trees, and why? I’m thinking of conifers, boxwood, rosemary, holly, and similar plants. How do you cut foliage from garden plants without harming them, and when is the best time to harvest? How do you build a mini tree from cuttings, such as with a cone-shaped base, floral foam, wire, or a small pot, so it holds its shape? How do you condition and prepare foliage so it stays fresh and keeps its needles indoors? How long should a display made from cut foliage last, and how do you refresh it through the season? Can readers use small living plants, such as dwarf conifers or rosemary trained into a tree shape? How do you care for them indoors, and can they be planted out afterward? Are there garden plants readers should avoid bringing indoors because they’re toxic to pets or children, such as holly, yew, or mistletoe? How do you style mini trees on a kitchen island or worktop so they look intentional rather than cluttered? What should readers know about using foliage and candles or lights in the kitchen, including keeping displays away from heat and food prep areas? How can readers decorate mini trees simply and cheaply, using pine cones, berries, ribbon, or other garden finds?