One of the best ways to add a unique touch to the holidays is to make your own Christmas decorations. However, if you don't have a lot of time, working on craft projects may seem impossible.

There is one type of decoration, however, that is very simple to make and creates a personalized look for your holiday tree.

They are nosegays, or bunches made of natural or artificial elements. These will add color, style, and a designer touch. These can be made as large or small as you wish in a wide range of materials.

Formal decorations can be made in a variety of glittery twigs, silver leaves, glass ornaments, or silk flowers. More casual or rustic decorating can be accomplished by choosing leaf twigs, wheat, raffia, pine cones, and other natural elements.

Construction is simple -- take a sturdy base (twigs, leaves, etc.), add a decoration (dried or silk flowers or leaves) and a "garnish" of berries, picks, or ornaments. Secure all items with hot glue or wire. Finish with a decorative cord, a knot of raffia, or a beautiful bow. Youll need at least two dozen nosegays for a large tree, but they are quick to put together once the materials are lined up.

Here are some of our favorites, but a trip through the woods or a craft store will inspire you to come up with your own interesting combinations...

Rustic Leaves - Gather these items from your yard or from a woodland walk. Here we've used a stem of oak leaves, dried fern fronds, wheat, and a knot of raffia.

Silk Flowers - Buy silk flower stems. White flowers add a snowy touch to a tree while red flowers add lots of pretty color. If the stems are large they can be cut up with wire cutters into smaller sprigs. To each silk flower sprig add sparkle with glittered twigs, tiny glass ornaments on wires, or a floral pick of silver or gold berries. Secure with a few twists of wire and decorate with a bow that matches the flowers.

Bird Nests - Here we've used a base of sturdy twigs and a sprig or two of preserved cedar. On top we've hot glued moss and a tiny bird. Finally, some pepperberries were glued on for a bit of added color and texture. Keep these from year to year, stored carefully in a box between layers of tissue. Set bird nests on open branches in any "holes" in your tree.

Glittering Twigs - Purchase painted and glittered twigs from a craft or floral supply store. Cut them up into sections 8 to 12" long. Top each twig with a small branch of sparkling dried flowers and a small branch of silver silk leaves. Secure with floral wire and/or tie with a shiny metallic ribbon.

Glass Ornaments - Craft and floral stores will have a good selection of holiday ornaments that come attached to floral wires. Gather an odd number of these balls into groupings. Surround with some artificial leaves, sparkling twigs, or a sprig of shiny berries. Wire all together and add a ribbon for more color and to hide the wires.

Twig Wreaths - Craft stores offer twig wreaths and twig bird nests in lots of tiny sizes. Pick up a couple o dozen in your favorites sizes. Use a glue gun to attach preserved cedar, wheat, leaves, berries, artificial birds, and ribbons. Hang on the tree or lay on open branches for a rustic, natural look.

Flags - Show your patriotism by using small flags or flag themed ribbon to make nosegays. Decorate each with shiny red, white, and blue wired garland or glass balls.