Tag Archives: wreaths

Unplanned Blessings Begin the Holiday Season…

Full Moon

Photo – Jamie Cross

There was a beautiful full moon over Crestline Village last week. Perhaps it had something to do with a perfect storm of events that caused shipment delays of some of our wreaths and greenery, including the ever popular boxwood wreaths.

Jamie called me the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving. I knew something was going on since it wasn’t the usual  text. “Hey, what’s up?” I asked. She paused, then gave me the bad news. “The boxwood wreath supplier says they never got your orders.”  I sank into the nearest chair. “Whaaat??!?? That can’t be!!”  I’d left work earlier that day confident Derek would be making the trip to the airport to pick up the first of two orders I’d placed in July,  one scheduled to arrive that day and the second a week after.

Bunches of Magnolia...

Bunches of Magnolia…

At that moment the pressure of the holiday retail season suddenly hit me, and  I was as close to coming apart as I’ve ever been in my 24 years in this crazy business. Though we had plenty of other wreaths, including fir and beautiful wreaths made out of southern greenery, garland, and bunches of magnolia for people to get their decorating started, I felt the weight of not having an item that customers might want that weekend and could possibly find elsewhere.

Southern Greenery Wreath...

Southern Greenery Wreath…

“We can ship your first order Monday, and the second a day or so after,” I was told. Well that was far better than I thought I’d be hearing, but the relief was tempered, knowing that I was responsible for a mixup that shouldn’t have happened, and an entire weekend would go by before the shipment would arrive.

Just breathe, I told myself. It will be alright. Monday is only the 30th of November after all! But I know the rush to decorate and the overall craziness this time of year meant some people would not be happy, and that’s what I dreaded  more than anything. Just last week I was telling everyone to try to relax and enjoy the season, and yet here I was, near tears and so upset I was practically hyperventilating. It was time to take my own advice.

Southern Greenery - Wreaths...

Southern Greenery – Wreaths…

Prior to this news, I’d been trying to find out the location of another greenery shipment  that had shipped but still hadn’t arrived. I’d found out earlier in the day that, because of weather and trucking company issues, it had been delayed by weather in Colorado, and wouldn’t come in until Monday, again, after the weekend.

The funny thing? Just a week or so earlier a customer had told me she really wished I could talk to my suppliers so the wreaths and greenery wouldn’t come in so early. I’m tempted to call her and let her know the boxwood wreaths she’d like me to pull will probably come in the very day she wants them.

Fraser Fir Wreaths in All Sizes...

Fraser Fir Wreaths in All Sizes…

So begins another December.  It will surely end on a better note than it has begun, and I know our customers will understand we’re doing the best we can, and that some days are definitely better than others.

The good news is that since the weather has been so warm it’s probably just as well we didn’t have the boxwood wreaths and greenery so early. Unplanned blessings, indeed!

And thankfully, the  boxwood wreaths are here now, along with lots of greenery bunches, mantle pieces and berry stems, and at just the right time. In fact, there are so many boxes we’re still working on unpacking it all!

Here’s hoping all of you enjoy this holiday season no matter what curveballs get thrown your way. In the end, we all need to remember the most important things in our lives are family and good friends, happiness and health, peace, and good will to all…

By Kris Blevons

Christmas Trees, Wreaths, And Greens – Fragrant And Beautiful!

 

 

 

The trees have arrived!

The trees have arrived!

The day before Thanksgiving is the official start of the holiday season at Oak Street Garden Shop. Early in the morning the first of two flatbed semis arrive, bearing Fraser fir Christmas trees of all sizes, from the smallest tabletop trees for youngsters (and those young at heart!) to towering beauties for the grandest foyer.

Christmas trees fill the nursery....

Christmas trees fill the nursery….

wreath from the west coast...

wreath from the west coast…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These trees (and the Fraser fir wreaths and garland that arrive from another favored supplier) come from the high elevations of the North Carolina mountains and make their way here to grace your homes through the holidays. Other greens – mixed wreaths, berries and branches – come from Oregon, beautiful mixtures of evergreens not found in the South.

 

'Red Star' chamaecyparis southern wreath...

‘Red Star’ chamaecyparis southern wreath…

 

classic magnolia...

classic magnolia…

 

Still more come from right here in Alabama – our own homegrown evergreens – chamaecyparis, cedar and magnolia. Truly there is an amazing abundance for your decorating needs!

mailbox decorations, displayed at the front of the shop...

mailbox decorations, displayed at the front of the shop…

southern greens...

southern greens…

Mailbox decorations are made to order, each one designed with two pieces of caged oasis so the material stays as fresh as possible. Using a base of Fraser fir (It smells so good!), we add as many different greens as are available, inserting berries, pine cones, and a pretty bow  to complete the decoration. Pictured here are two of them from last Christmas on display at the front of the shop. Or, if you’d rather make your own, we have the oasis available for you and ribbon galore!