Fresh takes

The $9.99 wreath at Trader Joe’s may be the best deal in your neighborhood, but creative alternatives are out there for anyone willing to spend more. The Balsam Peace Wreath from Gardener’s Supply Co. is made on a rural Vermont farm using fresh-cut fir hand-tied on a metal frame. It’s $34.95 (18 inch) or $44.95 (24 inch) plus shipping; www.gardeners.com. Southern California’s not-so-wintry climate is ideal for an elegant tillandsia wreath. Made-to-order by Cactus Jungle Nursery & Garden in Berkeley, the 14-inch design contains hundreds of tiny living air plants and costs $156 plus shipping; cactusjungle.com. Finally, Wreaths Unlimited makes a green snowflake using fresh shore pine accented with Douglas fir cones. It measures 18 inches and costs $41.95 plus shipping; wreaths-unlimited.com.

-- Debra Prinzing