I spent yesterday touring the garden centres of Holland, looking for Christmas inspiration. I found it in spades, from delicious Oliebollen (literally oil-balls, rather like a spherical doughnut spiked with raisins), to magnificent displays of poinsettia, orchids and Christmas trees. What was especially lovely was the range of natural materials for sale – holly berries, conifer branches, pine cones and moss, presented here in crates of assorted varieties. Compared to the UK the prices were exceptionally low, making me wish I could transport some of these goodies home to satisfy my own creativity.
