The “Not So Traditional” Christmas Challenge

We are not a land covered in white snow, holly and spruce at Christmas. We are baked in hot summer sun, drinks by the pool and cricket on the beach. So this Christmas, let's stop pretending otherwise. We're calling on floral designers everywhere to create a not so traditional Christmas table arrangement, something that actually reflects our Christmas, not someone else's.

Any flowers, any foliage, any materials, it's entirely up to you. This is about showing what an Aussie Christmas table actually looks like, not sticking to a script.

The Brief

  • Create a Christmas table arrangement, your interpretation, no rules on what it has to look like

  • Use whatever flowers, foliage or materials you like

  • Show us a true Aussie Christmas, however that looks through your eyes

  • Size and scale matter, your design needs to genuinely work as a table decoration, not dwarf the table or disappear on it. Remember that means allowing for conversation over the top or underneath the design.

  • We'll be looking for a strong handle on the elements and principles of design, think balance, proportion, colour, texture and form, not just a pretty photo

Judging

Entries will be judged by the Flowers Magazine editorial team, along with some of our designer friends. Judging is based on creativity, use of the brief, size and scale suitability and demonstrated understanding of the elements and principles of design. The judges' decision is final.

Who Can Enter

Open to floral designers of every level, students through to seasoned professionals. Entries welcome from Australia and around the world.

How to Enter

  1. Fill out the registration form below

  2. Upload 3 to 5 clear photos of your finished design, from a few different angles

  3. Staged or simple, we're judging the design, not the photography

Key Dates

  • Entries open: 15 September

  • Entries close: 9 November

  • Winners announced: Summer issue of Flowers Magazine Australia

The Prize

First prize is a genuine handmade leather florist tool belt from The Flowery Folk, plus a 12 month Flowers Magazine Australia subscription. Total value over $330. Every runner up also walks away with a 12 month subscription.

Terms & Conditions

  • One entry per person

  • Designs must be the entrant's own original work

  • Entrants retain copyright of their submitted images and grant Flowers Magazine Australia, The Flowery Folk and The Posy Crew a license to use them in the magazine, on our websites, for promotional activities and across social media

  • If your photos were taken by a third-party photographer, please confirm you have their permission for this use

  • Entrants must submit 3 to 5 clear photographs showing the finished design in full

  • Photos should be at least 2000 pixels on the longest side (most modern phone cameras will do this automatically), saved as a JPEG or PNG, ideally under 5MB. Natural light works best and please avoid filters or heavy editing so we can see your true colours.

  • The judges' decision is final

This competition is brought to you by Flowers Magazine and The Flowery Folk - www.thefloweryfolk.com.

The Flowery Folk is a place to learn, connect and feel supported as you find your way through the wonderful world of flowers.

Whether you are just beginning, building your floristry skills, growing flowers or already working in the industry, you will find practical education, real conversations and plenty of encouragement here.

Next
Next

A chat with Marion Benz from Marion Like Flowers