May

“MAKING CORSAGES”

Last year the Benton Residence hosted a Mother’s Day Luncheon in May and a Father’s Day Lunch in June. To make the celebrations festive the residents made corsages for their family members on these special days. The fathers and mothers of the residents were delighted when their sons and daughters presented them with the corsages. When making corsages pick lighter colors for women and darker colors for men. You may make a corsage for any special occasion by using fresh or artificial flowers. Fresh flowers will last about a week. Artificial flowers can be used as a keepsake of a special occasion. It costs about twenty dollars to make twelve corsages. Each corsage can be made in about fifteen minutes. The flowers can be purchased at your local florist, and the other supplies at the local arts and craft store.

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Gather all materials at the table before starting.

Protect your table by placing old newspaper on the table before starting.

You may use a square or round piece of felt. The felt should be one foot square or 12 inches round. If using the round felt, fold the felt in half and cut into two pieces of the same size. If using a square piece of felt, fold corner to corner making a triangle. Cut the felt in half making two triangles. Lay the felt on the table, corner side pointing down for square piece, and circle cut down for circle piece. Cut the felt in half making 2 triangles.

Take about five flowers on the stems. Place the flowers so the flowers are just above the felt the stems will be over the felt. Cut the stems so they just reach the bottom of the felt.

Take a pipe cleaner. Cut the pipe cleaner in half. Wrap the pipe cleaner tightly around the stem of the flowers to hold them together.

Next select the color ribbon desired. You may wish to select a coordinating color to go with the felt. For example purple ribbon with pink felt for Mother’s Day. Using a ruler measure six inches of ribbon. Cut the ribbon. Place the ribbon under the felt about halfway up from the bottom.

Fold over the felt on each side to the middle over the stems. Tie the ribbon around the felt to secure the felt. Make a bow. You can curl the ribbon with the scissors (you may wish to ask for assistance, since you could cut yourself doing this step).

Additional Suggestions and Helpful Hints:
If you are using real flowers you may place the corsage in the refrigerator to keep the flowers fresh. It is best to do this the day before you wish to give the corsage.

When making a large quantity of corsages it may be best to use artificial flowers, this way they can be made several days or even weeks in advance. You can store them in a small plastic bag to keep them clean.

Corsages can be made for many occasions such as birthdays, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. They can also have a theme, by changing the ribbon color, (green for St. Patrick’s Day, pink or blue for a new baby) and perhaps a small decoration tucked in the flowers or on the ribbon (may be a piece of candy for a Sweet 16 birthday party).

When giving corsages to a group, you can place the corsages in a large container or basket, using them as a centerpiece until all the guests arrive.