Ho-hum Christmas decorations liven up with fresh evergreens and berries

The use of greenery in Christmas decorations is traditional. A plush fir wreath on the door or a pine garland snaking down a stair rail, threaded with ornaments, berries and fancy ribbons, just says Christmas.

Unfortunately, it’s possible to overdo it. Or get it wrong. Or simply dread the very thought of put ting up even one bough of holly.

Then there are the questions. Real or artificial?

Should it come from the yard, the Christmas-tree farm or the hobby store? How much decoration should be added?

None of this has to be brain surgery, says Jill Helmer, who opines that “Mother Nature gives us some pretty wonderful things to work with” when it comes to Christmas decorations.

Helmer ...