By Mary Carol Garrity

Tribune News Service

Depending upon my schedule and energy level, some holiday seasons I am all about creating a huge holiday statement on my front door. Other years, not so much. If you’re pinched for time this year, or would just rather spend your decorating energy making magic with your indoor decor, call on the power of the wreath to give your front door a festive air in a flash. Wreaths have come of age. No matter what your bliss, you’ll find a wreath that helps you express your style this holiday season. Here are a few of my favorite looks:

Berry happy

For years, traditional holiday red and green were passe. Not now. This unbeatable Christmas duo is showing as strong as ever this season. And cheerful red-berry-festooned green wreaths are a standing ovation to these longstanding stars of Christmas.

If you want more color and pattern on your wreath, pick a playful combination of ribbons. My favorite place to tie the ribbon is somewhere between the 1 and 3 o’clock positions.

Geometric gems

You love cedar shrubs in your landscaping. Now spotlight cedar — or your greens of choice — or your door. A dense and delicious bright green wreath will pop on just about any door. And, this geometric gem is neutral enough to work for any style of home, from traditional to contemporary.

When you pick a wreath with a solid or narrow color palette, it’s like a “little black dress” — the perfect backdrop for any accessories. Your ribbons are like the scarf or jewelry you put with the dress to give it sizzle and style. We paired a red and white candy cane ribbon combo with a little sprig of holiday greenery. Sweet!

Wreaths don’t have to be round. In fact, I’m crazy about all the rectangle and square wreaths available today. We jazzed up a beauty with a cute-as-a-button Christmas look just by looping together three contrasting ribbons, a little Santa ornament and a fun sign, hung so it fills the center of the wreath, almost like a picture in a frame.

Pine cones

This unique look is a bit more masculine. The rich, natural colors and textures of the pine cones make a nice contrast to the industrial look of the metal cage they fill. The pinecones on the inside of the wire structure is an interesting “inside-out” approach you don’t see too often.

Morning frost

When I buy holiday decor every year, I’m always drawn to the greenery that looks like it’s misted in frost. It conjures the feeling of the first true snap of winter, when everything is kissed by ice. This beautiful ivy wreath is lush and rich, a perfect backdrop for a killer display of ribbons. We pulled together a riot of black and white patterns, polka dot, Greek key, black velvet and stripes.

Winter forest

Nature gives us so many intriguing shades of greens to work with. And don’t even get me started on all the different kinds of greens and berries and sticks and everything else we can work into one beautiful masterpiece of a wreath.