Small flower arrangements are lovely accents

Welcome guests with a festive and fragrant bouquet on a door knob to their room or on the inside of the front door.

These cone-shaped floral arrangements can also be hung on a bedpost or draped over the back of dining chairs. It takes just minutes to make an elegant door hanger with greenery from your yard or leftovers from tree- and wreath-decorating efforts. For a more elaborate look, add flowers to the arrangement.

Preparation

For this arrangement, I selected juniper, holly with red berries, baby's breath and red carnations to fill a red-and-green-plaid cone with gold accents. Here's how to create the display:

Form a small nosegay with the juniper and holly on the outside and the carnations, more holly and baby's breath on the inside.

Tie the nosegay with wire twist or rubber band, and cut the ends so they are even.

Line the cone with a plastic bag. Wet the stems of the nosegay well before you put them in the cone. Fluff the flowers and greens around the edge so the plastic doesn't show.

If the arrangement is going to be used longer than a day, place wet florist form in the plastic and build the arrangement by placing the flowers and greens in the form.

When finished, tie the ornament to a door knob with a silk, velvet or grosgrain ribbon.

Tips

You can use a store-bought cone or a homemade one. If making the cone, use heavy construction paper and staple in a cone shape. Cover with holiday wrap or fabric and attach a small cord handle.

If the cone is large and strong enough, you can place a small plastic bottle (like the ones for prescriptions) in the cone to hold water.

You might also use water tubes for the flowers for a longer-lasting bouquet. The greens should stay fresh for several days.

Other flowers and greens that work well in cone arrangements include orchids, tropical flowers, dried hydrangeas, roses, boxwood and fir.

Cost

The red-and-green plaid cone was purchased in an after-Christmas sale last year. Similar cones may be found at craft stores and other retailers. Crate & Barrel is selling a red-and-white striped cone for $3.95 (www.crateandbarrel.com).

The carnations were $3.95 for five, and the baby's breath was $2.95. A large branch of holly cost $1, and the juniper was from my yard.

Budget Bouquets is an occasional feature in digs.