How to Make a Wrist Corsage

Weddings and proms aren’t the only events iconic enough for corsages. Big things happen at dinner parties, too. But, these events deserve an alternative to the rose and baby’s breath version. I first designed the chic gardenia wrist corsage for an episode of "The Oprah Show." It was featured at a surprise anniversary party.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hot glue
• Refrigerator, for storing the flowers and corsages
• 2½-inch width, lightweight, silk ribbon
• Fresh gardenias

1. Order fresh gardenias from your florist to arrive the day of or day before you plan to use them.

2. Search for 2½-inch width, lightweight, silk ribbon (satin and wired ribbon don’t work as well; they tend to be too heavy and come untied). Look at craft stores or online (type the keyword “silk ribbon"). Plan to use about 26–28 inches of ribbon per corsage, depending on the ribbon.

3. Store the gardenias in your refrigerator until use.

4. On the day of the dinner party:
   
   Clip the stem of the gardenia so it will lie as flat as possible. Apply hot glue to the ribbon. Be careful not to touch the petals of the flower too much. Gardenia petals are kind of fussy--they will turn brown wherever they are touched.
   
   Store the corsages in the refrigerator or a cool place until just before guest arrival.

5. Display the corsages on a tray with a framed card inviting guests to wear them. Or, enlist the help of a friend to greet guests and help them tie on the corsages.