ARE you feeling creative this Christmas? It seems the residents of Ulverston have been getting their craft hats on as the festive season gets under way to fashion their very own Christmas wreaths.

Young Ulverston florist Lauren Hart, 25, whose shop Bluebell & Ivy opened earlier this year in White Hart Yard, collaborated with Virginia House hotel to offer the perfect Christmassy events this December.

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Lauren, who is inundated with orders for her bespoke Christmas wreaths, said: "I wanted to offer something a bit different that people could do for a little evening out.

"We had loads of bookings from groups of friends who all came together and from mums and daughters too. It was lovely to work with Louise and Craig who own Virginia House. They made the most scrumptious shortbread and mulled wine and the whole place had an amazing festive feel."

The wreath making workshops took place on Sunday and Monday and will go ahead again this Sunday and Monday. The visitors were equipped with all the materials and encouraged to get as creative as possible, putting their own stamp and arty flair on the finished product.

Lauren said: "The first dates were selling out so fast we decided to add another couple of dates. There seems to be a real demand for winter events.

"Everyone found something different to personalise their wreath with. There were a lot of people who went with very traditional designs but also some really unique colour combinations which were more daring.

"I have noticed that a bit of a different twist on metallics is very popular this year. Rose golds and coppers are massive and, when it comes to ribbons, everyone seemed very taken with our hessian bows."

Lauren, who lives in Dane Avenue in Barrow, runs the shop on her own but enlisted the help of her mum Sally, auntie Jenny and grandmother Elizabeth for the wreath workshops.

She said: "I really enjoy working so closely with my family. It was actually my grandmother, Elizabeth Saunders, who got me interested in flowers as a young child.

"I have wanted to open my own florist for over 10 years now, after working as an appentice in Deborah's Florist in Barrow as a Saturday girl. I did my qualifications in London but it all stemmed from my grandmother. She used to give cooking and flower arranging demos to women in Barrow when I was a little girl and I always went along to watch and she is still a devoted member of Barrow Flower Club."

Lauren and her small family team certainly had their hands full with a full house of ladies but, with a roaring fire and plenty of snacks, an enjoyable evening was had by all. The main materials included fir branches, baubles, ribbons, pie cones and berries.

Celebrate the most traditional Christmas plant

So you have your festive wreath and your tree. What about a festive plant? Well, it has to be the bright red poinsettia and these are the top tips to keep yours looking pristine this December:

1. Make sure you buy a healthy plant, the roots of which are not spilling out through the base of the pot. Unwrap it as soon as you get them home.

2. Place it in a light spot, but not in direct sunlight. If direct sunlight hits the plant, reposition it. Poinsettias should be kept warm, ideally between 13-22C.

3. The most common cause of failure is over-watering. Let the upper half of the compost become dry before watering thoroughly.

4. Mist the leaves frequently as poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima), which are native to Mexico and Central America, need moist air.

5. If your poinsettia starts to wilt and is as dry as a bone, soak the rootball in warm water, which may revive it.

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