Christmas is a hectic time of the year. You've had grand plans to decorate the house with this and that, order arrangements from the florist, and more, and now, here you are, just a week away from Christmas and your dreams are falling apart.

What to do? If you follow flower arranger Ms. Margaret Miller's advice, you need look no further than your own garden, or even the byways of Bermuda, to come up with beautiful arrangements, guaranteed to give your home a festive touch and draw admiring glances from guests.

Apart from being wonderfully inexpensive, the use of homegrown materials lends a uniquely Bermudian and natural touch to your Christmas decor.

A "Christmas tree,'' for example, is easily created by using an oblong block of wet oasis, set on end and taped into a shallow dish, into which varying lengths of pittisporum are stuck.

"Begin by shaping the top of the oasis block with a knife so that it is roughly conical,'' Ms. Miller advised. "Then, starting at the base of the arrangement, insert pieces of pittisporum all around the base, keeping the stems at an upward angle so that the leaves hang down, rather than being level or pointing upwards. Make sure the bottom layer covers the lip of the container.

"Repeat the process all the way up the oasis, using progressively shorter pieces of pittisporum until the whole surface is evenly covered.

"Top the arrangement with a festive ornament, and insert at random throughout the arrangement whatever takes your fancy -- shiny balls and red ribbons, for example -- as highlights.'' Ms. Miller also suggested spraying some of the leaves with glue and sprinkling them with artificial snow.

Such an arrangement can cost under $5, and will look splendid on a side table, entrance hall, or shelf.

A dining table arrangement uses similar basics: oasis, tape, and a shallow dish. Insert a candle in the centre of the wet, taped oasis, then add a mixture of plant material of assorted textures.

"This arrangement should be a little softer,'' Ms. Miller advised. "Use various small leaves, such as cherry or mock orange.'' Highlight with red Mexican pepper berries and garnish with a festive bow. And remember: dining table arrangements should be kept low.

"A bigger arrangement may look really beautiful, but if your guests have to speak around it, it's not good,'' Ms. Miller noted.

She also advised against "layering'' greenery.

"Mix colours and textures, and keep them light. Always let the butterflies fly through, so to speak.'' If a "kissing ball'' is your fancy, begin with a plastic punnet, such as is used for cherry tomatoes or strawberries at supermarkets. Insert a piece of wet oasis big enough to fit inside. Place florist's tape around the circumference of the punnet to secure the oasis. Insert a piece of covered wire or fishing line right through the top edges of the punnet through and tie in the centre so you have something to hang the ball up with.

Fill all the oasis in a ball shape with pittisporum. Insert ribbon at the bottom to make a bow with tails, and add a loop of ribbons through the wire at the top. Hang by the ribbon in a window or doorway. Again, this ball can be decorated with accessories of your choice.

For candle stick arrangements, buy a special candle stick holder from a florist or hobby shop which fits right into the top of your own candle stick.

Fill its container with soaked oasis and tape it securely. Place container in candle stick, insert a candle in the centre of the oasis, then begin building a variety of leaves and other plant materials symmetrically all around the circle. Try to use some materials which hang down over the lip of the container to give a pleasant, flowing effect. Add decorations of your choice -- balls, ribbon or mini red carnations, for example.

Again, these suggestions cost very little to make, but give handsome results.

As with any project involving plant materials, there are little "tricks of the trade'' which, if followed, help to keep arrangements fresh and attractive for days or even weeks.

Ms. Miller recommends: Picking plant material early in the day or at dusk, except on rainy days.

Putting material into water as soon as possible. (Take a bucket along while picking).

To increase water absorption: 1. Cutting stems on a slant. 2. Slitting tough stems up to one inch from the bottom. 3. Scraping off thick stems or splitting them twice at right angles to form a cross in the base of the stem. 4. Cutting flower stems and more delicate leafy material under water, which also eliminates air pockets.

Removing thorns to facilitate handling.

Removing leaves from the lower end of the stems (which will be under water) to prevent fouling of the water in the container.

Washing dusty foliage well and removing insects.

Avoiding drafts and a dry atmosphere, such as central heating, and fires, which are dehydrating. Use an atomiser to refresh plant material.

To water arrangements such as the "Christmas trees,'' feel oasis regularly to see if it is still wet. When necessary, stand the arrangement in the sink and trickle water down from the top to ensure that the oasis is soaked. If your bows and balls or other ornaments are waterproof, they won't be harmed by the running water.

Lastly, don't forget to keep your equipment clean. "Bacteria cause wilting, so keep your pinholders and containers clean. Wash them with soapy water and sterilise with bleach after each use,'' Ms. Miller said.

And don't try to re-use oasis which has been allowed to dry out. "It won't work,'' the flower arranger cautioned. "Once wet, keep oasis wrapped in cling film or plastic between uses.'' VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF CHRISTMAS -- Ms. Margaret Miller demonstrates three ways to turn garden foliage into attractive festive arrangements. From the left they are: a candle stick arrangement, kissing ball, and wreath (here partially completed).

O CHRISTMAS TREE! -- This conical arrangement, made by a student of Ms.

Miller's flower arranging class, uses the lush, dark green leaves of pittisporum and Christmas ornaments to make a Christmas tree.