With just a snippet from an outdoor evergreen, you’re well on your way to making these miniature wreath ornaments. You can hang them on the tree, use them to decorate the outdoors, add them to gifts, or even use them as napkin rings! No matter how you use them, they are a fun and simple project to bring the outdoors in.
Every year, I make a large fresh wreath to adorn my front door. By the end of creating, I have endless bits and pieces of fresh evergreens covering my feet and work station.
Why let them go to waste when you can create even smaller, miniature wreaths? I’m obsessed with all things mini, and I love how easily you can make these miniature wreath ornaments with some leftover plant trimmings.
Let me show you how I made these!
Adorn your miniature wreath with a pinecone or other dried elements.
DIY Real Miniature Wreath Ornaments
I don’t really know why, but this holiday season I’ve been making everything in miniature. It started with these tabletop Grinch trees, and now miniature evergreen wreaths.
The idea for mine came from finding this floral wire with red berries on the ends. I thought it would be a quick and easy way to make plenty of decorations from garden clippings.
Materials
Make It!
Start with a fairly pliable clipping from an evergreen. Leaves from cedar and false cypress are soft and easy to form.
Bend the clipping around so that the tip overlaps the cut end. Wind floral wire tipped with red berries around the two ends to secure it.
Secure the one end first. Then we’ll wrap the rest.
Continue wrapping wire around the wreath until you have all the little leaves tucked in.
Don’t worry about some small pieces still sticking out.
Trim the wreath with scissors to clean it up and make a nice, round form.
Add decorative elements like seed heads, miniature pinecones, and other things found around the garden with a hot glue gun.
Pinecones are great, as well as dried flowers.
You can also use ribbon to decorate the wreath. This raffia ribbon makes an easy bow as you simply need to tie it in a knot, then unfold the ends of the ribbon.
Add ornament hooks to hang them on the Christmas tree or around the garden.
Or tie them to gift wrapping and add a little outdoors to your presents.
Aren’t these miniature wreaths just adorable? In my experience, they also dry well and can be stored again for the next holiday season once fully dried. Happy crafting!
More Miniature Christmas Crafts
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
SALISBURY – Locals seeking festive fun need look no further than the second annual Festival of Wreaths at the Salisbury Beach Carousel starting Nov. 22.
The Festival of Wreaths will feature a number of hand decorated wreaths adorning the roundhouse around the Salisbury Beach Carousel that will be raffled off.
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This gorgeous bleached pinecone wreath has rustic charm with a contemporary twist. There is nothing like natural decor to bring the beauty of the outdoors in, but it can be hard to come up with creative ways to display the same natural elements year after year. That’s why I love the look of bleached pinecones, which are simultaneously classic and modern. With just a few easy steps, you can create your own bleached pinecone wreath to enjoy throughout the colder seasons.
Bleached pinecones are all the rage! While pinecones have always been a staple of autumn and winter décor, bleaching them gives them a softer, brighter, more contemporary look than untreated pinecones. The light colour also creates a contrast and makes the interesting shapes of the cones really stand out.
The difference in colour between a regular and bleached pinecone.
We have seen single bleached pinecones displayed in glass terrariums, groups of them piled into decorative baskets, bleached pinecone garlands, bleached pinecone ornaments with ribbon hangers, and this gorgeous bleached pinecone door swag. But this bleached pinecone wreath project really captured my heart here at Garden Therapy (you know how much I love wreaths).
This wreath is the perfect way to adorn your entrance this fall and winter. It has a rustic farmhouse look, but the surprising white colour of the pinecones gives it a modern, minimalist feel. And the best part? It is super easy to make!
Here’s how to make one for yourself…
The finished wreath will also store well for years to come.
How to Make a Bleached Pinecone Wreath
Begin by walking through a park, wood, or tree-lined street and picking up a bunch of pinecones. Follow the instructions for bleaching the pinecones here, and then you are ready to begin your wreath.
Materials
This project will require a significant amount of hot glue, so make sure you have plenty of sticks on hand.
Make It!
Divide the pinecones into different-sized groupings so that you can choose between medium and small ones for each layer.
I have a green foam ring, but a white one is fine, too. The entire thing will get covered.
Lay out medium pinecones around the wreath form, with the base touching the wreath. Use professional-strength glue to attach the first pinecone to the base. Add glue to the base of the second pinecone and knit the second one into the first one as you attach the base to the wreath form.
A little bit of space between each is fine, but ideally you want them as close together as possible.
Continue to glue the base of the pinecones onto the outer ring of the wreath form while knitting them tightly together to fill up the spaces.
You may have to try a couple to find the perfect last fit.
Lay out the inside ring of smallest pinecones. Attach those to the inner ring as you did to the outer ring.
Arrange the inner layer, then glue it the same way you did the outer layer.
Add a third layer of medium sized pinecones alternating between the first ring. Nestle these in as close to the other pinecones as you can, while gluing the base to the wreath form.
Add fourth and fifth rings to fill in the gaps between the layers and fill in all the spaces.
I thought this wreath looked pretty great on the white door!
But it’s also at home in the garden. Which do you like better?
FAQ About Bleached Pinecones
Do you bake pinecones before bleaching?
Baking pinecones is a great way to help get rid of pests and mildew on pinecones. It will also dry them out, forcing them to open up.
However, you don’t need to do that for bleached pinecones. The bleach sterilizes and rehydrates the pinecones, which must be left to dry again once they’ve been bleached.
What happens when you soak pinecones in vinegar?
Vinegar is one way to disinfect the pinecones and help clean any dirt. However, it won’t give you the bleached effect.
What kind of pinecones should I use to bleach them?
You can try this out on any kind of pinecones. Try a few different kinds until you find some that you love. I find that bleaching works best on older, dry pinecones as opposed to fresh and still tight ones.
Hanging a lavender wreath around the garden could be just the aromatherapy needed to help decompress after a long day, or perhaps it will just make you smile. Regardless, this lavender wreath is a quick weekend project that will leave you calm enough for an afternoon read or a good night’s sleep.
In order to keep your lavender plants neat and tidy, it’s important to prune them. Two prunes per season works best—once at the beginning of summer and then once again in August.
The great thing about pruning back your lavender plants is that you can harvest lavender to use in a myriad of ways! One of my faves is to make it into pretty, fragrant wreaths. The fresh flowers dry on the wreath, and it looks so decorative.
This year, I made a miniature 6″ wreath using “Thumbelina Leigh” English Lavender plants, which are planted in my kitchen garden. The plants are quite small, but they produce more than enough flowers to keep me in lavender all summer long (and then some).
Here’s what you need to know about making your own dried lavender wreath!
One mature lavender plant should be enough to make one small 6-inch wreath.
Harvesting Lavender for Your Wreath
When harvesting lavender, it’s best to pick it at the budding stage, after the flower bugs turn purple but before they open into flowers. The stems will hold the colour for the longest if they are harvested in the bud.
The image below shows the three stages of lavender flowers: budding, flowering, and after flowering. In reality, I try and cut the flowers when they are budding, but in practice, I usually get a mixture of buds and flowers, and a few early bloomers that are starting to die back.
It’s hard to perfect the timing, but it’s even harder to take all that lovely lavender away from the bees! I like to let my lavender flower a bit for the bees to enjoy and then add it to a wreath when it has some buds and some open flowers.
It looks lovely and gives me (and the pollinators) more time to relish it in the garden. The open flowers will eventually fall off, but what’s left behind is still attractive and aromatic.
If you are crafting with lavender at home for personal use, don’t worry too much. Leave that to the lavender farms. No matter when you harvest it, it will make a lovely wreath with a heavenly perfume.
The lavender on the left is at budding stage, the middle blooming, and the right is after blooming.
How to Make a Lavender Wreath
The process for making this lavender wreath is very similar to my other wreaths. Perhaps even simpler because it’s entirely one kind of flower!
Materials
I used a grapevine wreath base, but you can also use a wire or straw base as well.
Make It!
Gather lavender into small bunches and snip the ends to get a nice, neat edge.
I left the leaves on, but you can strip them for a neater look.
Wrap your wire or twine around the stems of one bunch several times tightly.
Secure your bundles individually before attaching them to the wreath form.
Secure the bunch to the form by winding the twine or wire around it a few times and pulling tight (or tying a knot if you’re using twine).
Pro tip: I personally prefer to use wire rather than twine, as it is easier to tighten it later once the lavender bunches have dried and shrunk down a bit. To tighten a dried wreath made with wire, use needle-nose pliers to twist knots in the wire at the back of the wreath and hold the stems in snugly.
Keep your wire on the roll as you attach your bundles to the wreath form.
Leaving the wire on the roll, wind each new bunch onto the form as they are added. Continue adding bunches until you complete the circle.
Alternate which directions your bundles face to get a fuller-looking wreath.
Tuck a final bunch under the first bunch, then cut and secure the wire. Hang the wreath up and enjoy!
While it’s drying, flowers will fall off but NOT the buds.
I’ve also made a dried lavender wreath using this same basic technique on a wire coat hanger bent into a circle for the wreath form.
Make your own wire wreath form out of an old wire coat hanger.
Here is how that looks with dried buds after many years! It will hold its colour for quite a while. As you can see, this one has seen a few seasons and still looks beautiful.
FAQ About Lavender Wreaths
What is the most fragrant lavender?
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is typically revered for its scent, as well as hybrids.
What is the best way to dry lavender?
For this lavender wreath, I recommend using fresh lavender and letting it dry directly on the wreath form. When you work with dried lavender, it will be more brittle and you’re more likely to lose buds while you make the wreath.
The smell of your dried lavender wreath should last you for a few months. If you squeeze the buds, you should release the oils that contain the fragrance.
Commercially grown lavender is dried upside down in large bunches.
Worried your taking too many medicines? A presentation on Wednesday may help you advocate for yourself and keep medications in check throughout the aging process.
The Rockport Council on Aging will host Donna Bartlett, author of âMedStrong,â at a special luncheon presentation Wednesday, Feb. 21, at noon.
The lunch and presentation topic âShed Your Medsâ is free thanks to sponsorship from Addison Gilbert Hospital and the Friends of the Rockport Council on Aging. The event will take place at the Rockport Community House, 58 Broadway, where seats are limited and advance reservations are required.
A board-certified geriatric pharmacist based in Worcester, Bartlett is engaged in community outreach programming specializing in older adult medication needs, affordability and prescription coverage. Bartlett has seen first-hand the effects of staying on medication longer than necessary and the impact of âover medication.â
Those in attendance can expect to come away with a better understanding of âde-prescribingâ from an expert who has been practicing, teaching and speaking on the subject for more than 15 years. Copies of Bartlettâs book âMedStrongâ will be available for purchase at the event.
Seats may be reserved by contacting the Rockport Council on Aging at 978-546-2573.
Career Day
The DECA chapter at Rockport High School is sponsoring Career Day on Wednesday, April 3, at the school, 24 Jerden’s Lane, from 8 to 10:30 a.m., and the chapter is seeking for volunteers for presentations. Rockport High alumni are encouraged to present. Anyone interested in participating should email DECA advisor Scott Larsen at slarsen@rpk12.org.
Each December, a few of my dear friends from the neighbourhood get together and make our Christmas wreaths together. That time means more to me than any gift I could get from them. Today I want to share some of the best DIY Christmas wreath ideas I’ve made over the years for you to craft with your loved ones this holiday season.
My favourite thing about the holidays is celebrating traditions with friends and family. When those holiday traditions also include fresh air, plants, crafting, and Prosecco, it becomes a party that I look forward to all year. The annual Christmas wreath-making day is one of the best of the year!
It all started in 2009 when one of my neighbours (a gardener by trade) invited me and some of the women from the block over for “bubbly” and wreath-making. We laughed and chatted and crafted up these enormous wreaths from all the clippings she had collected from winter clean up in her clients’ gardens. The afternoon quickly became an annual event of bonding and garden therapy.
Since 2009 was also the year that I started blogging, I have a photo journal of my wreaths of Christmas past, and today I’m sharing them with you. Soon, you’ll have your very own outdoor real Christmas wreath to call your own!
In this post, we will cover:
17 DIY Christmas Wreath Ideas
Not all real Christmas wreaths are the same! There are many different ways to style a wreath, for indoors and outdoors, and for various styles. Here are a few of mine to spark some inspiration.
1. Pacific Rainforest Christmas Wreath
This wreath celebrates at least 13 different plant varieties that were cut from within a 1 km radius of my home. I used cedar, pine, blue spruce, heather, English ivy, holly, Nandina, Sarcococca, and more to add a ton of texture and colour to the wreath.
This seems to be my go-to style, as you will see, it’s pretty similar to the wreaths from a few of the previous years. You will also notice that I have become a better wreath maker over the years, as this one has a dense and even form with a clear hole in the middle. Both of these characteristics help to make the wreath look intentional and refined. I made sure to have a few sprigs popping out here and there so it still has that homegrown/homemade look that I love.
2. Giant Pink Hydrangea Wreath
One year, I decided to “Go Big or Go Home” with an enormous wreath that rivals those at a 5-star hotel with an opulent entryway.
That being said, I don’t live in a 5-star hotel, and my entryway is pretty average-sized. I hung the wreath (it held!) but it was pretty hard to get past it to get in the house. See how that looked here. The holly snagged everyone that came to visit, oy!
This DIY Christmas wreath can be displayed indoors and last forever. I went for a rustic, neutral wreath made entirely from pinecones. Bleached pinecones, to be exact.
I love how the soft, weathered look of the pinecones pairs with the natural ribbon that I used to attach it to the wall. The whole thing came together to look cozy and festive while remaining simple and clean.
I’m lucky to live by so many magnolia trees. They have the most gorgeous copper brown undersides that contrast with the dark green, shiny leaves.
For this wreath, I used Magnolia Grandiflora leaves and was sure to show off both sides. This created a beautiful contrast that the eye just can’t ignore. I also added incense cedar for fragrance and a little bit of texture variety.
The best part is that this wreath will last for months, taking you through most of fall and winter.
The year I made this wreath, it was unusually cold and snowy. For 7 weeks, it hovered around freezing, so there was a thick layer of ice on the roads and sidewalks. I got Yaktraxs ice cleats to put on my shoes so I could still get around outdoors and enjoy the snow!
I love that when there’s snow on the ground, it makes everything green stand out all the more. This wreath was inspired by all of the gorgeous, varied green hues of the winter season. Snippets of bright green cedar, blue-green spruce, and everything in between come together to celebrate the season.
When I made this DIY Christmas wreath, I couldn’t quite decide on a theme, so I decided to make it with a little bit of everything, and boy am I glad I did! It turned out beautifully, didn’t it?
It contained a lot of traditional holiday elements like holly and pinecones, but the hydrangea flowers added an unexpected yet equally festive vibe.
Here’s a modern Christmas wreath idea to last you beyond the holiday season, I love this aromatherapy wreath. I think it would look gorgeous any time of the year.
In this design, I used incense cedar and eucalyptus to create not only a gorgeous look, but one that is scented and full of therapeutic benefits. It can be hung inside or out, providing a light scent to everyone passing by.
After I started adding hydrangeas to my wreath, I thought, why not make a whole wreath out of just hydrangea blooms?
Every year, I make an effort to dry my hydrangea flowers because I adore their weathered yet vibrant vintage colouring. As long as you handle the wreath with care, the dried flowers will last for as long as you like them. You could use this wreath year after year, inside or out.
Don’t be scared to do all but one kind of foliage. I went for a traditional holly and laurel wreath. Holly really is such a stunning plant, and it grows like crazy here in the Pacific Northwest, so it seemed like a good idea to showcase it in all its glory.
10. Evergreen Wreath
One of the cool things about evergreens is that they’re not all green. They come in lots of different colours and varied textures, making them look great all pulled together in one wreath.
Lots of colour in this wreath comes from the red foliage of new Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica) growth and holly berries (of course).
If you don’t have a ton of evergreen garden clippings, perhaps you have a prolific herb garden! I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing a wreath like this smells inside the home.
You can use it as an outdoor Christmas wreath, but I think it looks just as good indoors any time of the year. The herbs will dry on the wreath and look beautiful, but also allow you to harvest and use the herbs whenever you’re cooking.
12. Red and Green Outdoor Christmas Wreath
Using glossy green leaves like laurel, holly, English ivy, and magnolia made for a long-lasting real Christmas wreath that won’t drop so many needles. I love the ivy flowers just before they are about to form berries.
Ripping out big handfuls will also prevent this invasive plant from spreading, and it does make a long-lasting wreath green. This year, I also went “crazy” and added a burlap bow to the wreath (I think I was probably just filling in a bare spot, but don’t tell anyone that!).
If working with fresh greens doesn’t tickle your fancy, or you’re looking for something long-lasting for the indoors, try this snowball wreath.
It’s a creative spin on the wreath, using a plain grapevine wreath as the frame for a simple winter wonderland inside. Inside, you can decorate with anything you like, such as tiny fake trees, dollhouse items, fairy garden pieces, and other small decorative objects.
14. Blue Hydrangea and Hawthorne Berries
I made this wreath for the first Christmas in my new home. I moved from the street my wreath-making sisters live on to a house 7 blocks away.
It was sad to leave my close friends, but it’s not like I went that far. Even so, it did change things. There have been fewer impromptu drop-bys and garden visits since then.
It’s adorned with hawthorn berries harvested from the tree in front of my old house. The blue hydrangea blooms, Aucuba, and Skimmia came from that street as well.
15. Oval Christmas Wreath
In an effort to make a wreath from scratch, I made my own wreath form from grapevines. I wanted a bit of a different shape, so I made an oval. Many of the greens I’ve used each year can be seen, but you may also notice some Sedum Autumn Joy flowers.
Some years, they look quite good at wreath-making time. It depends on how much rain we get in the fall. The red garage door of my old house was painted to match the Japanese maple I planted in front of the garage.
Let’s take things mini. These mini wreaths are made with real cedar clippings. The best part is you really don’t need much, taking a single bough to make an entire wreath.
I used these wreaths as ornaments and to decorate my presents with. They’re small, versatile, and easy to make.
17. The Wreath That Started It All
My very first homemade wreath! As you can see, it was made up of snippets of all sorts of greenery, which looked festive on the red front door.
I included a teeny bit of red here and there with some holly berries, but you can see that this year, I was feeling pretty green. It’s a bit messier and has some curly willow twigs added for interest. I love the wreath that started it all, and I hope that you do, too.
Basics of Wreathmaking + FAQs
How to make a Christmas wreath
Once you make your own Christmas wreath, you won’t ever go back to buying them during the mad holiday rush. Gather the foliage for your wreath by foraging through your neighbourhood or the woods or purchasing greens from a store or online. Look for a contrast of shapes, colours, and sizes.
Next, find a form for the base of your wreath. You can make your own (like this grapevine wreath or purchase one.
Start bunching your greens. Use one sturdy stem as a base and add a couple of other small branches to it. Wrap the base of the bunch in wire or twine and secure it to your wreath.
Repeat this process until you’ve gone all the way around the wreath. Overlap each bunch over the one before it to make it appear lush and full.
Snip off any branches you dislike and add final touches, such as additional decorations. Hang from a wreath hanger. For more detailed instructions, check out this post with step-by-step instructions and a video tutorial.
How do you add things to a real Christmas wreath?
After you have your wreath made of bunched greens, you can go ahead and add in some extra decorative pieces if you wish. Items can either be wrapped in, poked in, or glued in if necessary. Some great additions include: – Pinecones – Lights (battery operated) – Feathers (natural or coloured) – Sparkly elements (such as ornaments) – Living plants (air plants are a great one) – Gourds (good for a Thanksgiving theme) – Dried berries – Dried flowers – Ribbon or bow
What do you need for a DIY Christmas wreath?
The first item you’ll need for your wreath is the base. I like to use grapevine wreaths or wire wreath forms, depending on the type of wreath I’m creating.
For greens, holly, cotoneaster, pine, cedar, yew, pieris, laurel, fir, boxwood, camellia, magnolia, and cypress will all last long on your wreath. You can also add herbs such as lavender, rosemary, and sage.
To attach your greens to the form, opt for twine (natural) or wire (good for beginners). You may also want to buy a wreath hanger if you plan on hanging it on a door.
How can I make an eco-friendly Christmas wreath?
The more organic materials you use, the better! You can make your own grapevine (or other woods such as willow) wreath as a base and use twine rather than wire for wrapping your greenery around.
Avoid the use of floral foam as it is not compostable. Alternatively, you can use a sturdy wire frame you reuse every Christmas. You can fill wire frames with straw or moss as a base.
Of course, fill the wreath with as many fresh or dried greens as possible and avoid the use of any plastics or non-natural materials that can’t be composted. Ideally, you should be able to chuck the whole wreath in the compost bin at the end of the season if you want to!
Where can you hang a Christmas wreath?
Most often, you’ll find wreaths hanging on a front or back door. You will want to make a wreath the right size for your door length and width. You can also hang them on doors inside, but remember that wreaths don’t last as long inside as they do in the cool air outside.
Other popular places outside include over top of windows and on garden gates. Inside, you can place it over the fireplace mantle, on kitchen cabinets, in the entranceway, or lay it flat as a table centrepiece with candles or other decor in the center.
Which of these DIY Christmas wreath ideas was your favourite? Let me know in the comments!
Making a fresh wreath has quickly become one of my absolute favourite holiday traditions. Using greenery in your garden and neighbourhood, you can create a beautiful and local wreath to decorate your front door with. Here’s how to make a Christmas wreath for your home.
Every year we like to hang a different Christmas wreath on our front door during the holidays. We’ve amassed a collection of wreaths to match the holiday season trends of red berries, Christmas ornaments, peacock feathers, and square-shaped boxwood, but my favourites are most certainly natural, fresh wreaths.
A fresh wreath makes for an individual work of art that smells as good as it looks. Florists and garden centers are wonderful places to find one to suit any style, but if you are feeling adventurous, a homemade wreath made with garden clippings or purchased greens can be most gratifying.
Given the current popularity of lateral space gardening, supplies are available for all sorts of wreath plantings. Evergreen, succulent, moss, and flower wreaths are beautiful micro gardens that will suit almost any style or climate. Care will vary depending on what type of planting you decide on, but many will last for months, if not years, with a couple of weekly squirts of a spray bottle.
Let’s dive into how to make a Christmas wreath, shall we?
I like to use lots of different foliage for tons of texture.
Watch the Wreath Making Video!
Follow along with me as I make one of my fresh wreaths from scratch.
How to Make a Christmas Wreath
My go-to style is wild and local. I forage for all kinds of greenery beyond the traditional holly and pine (though I like those too!) and incorporate lots of colour in my wreath. The best part about learning how to make a Christmas wreath is that you can truly design it in your own style.
Materials
Make It!
Step 1: Gather a variety of foliage, berries, twigs, pinecones, ribbons, and anything else you want to add to your wreath. Some of the evergreen cuttings that work very well are holly, cedar, cotoneaster, pine, pieris, boxwood, laurel, camellia, fir, cypress, and magnolia.
I like to contrast needles with broad leaves and vary the colour, but a wreath made entirely of one type of foliage can be incredibly dramatic. Also, think about tucking in herbs like rosemary, sage, and lavender into the foliage to add another delightful aroma.
The size of your grapevine wreath will determine the size of your finished wreath.
Step 2: Using a grapevine wreath as your base (you can buy one or make your own), start by choosing a firm branch with a stem that is thick enough that it will not bend easily. Add other cuttings of different foliage on top and gather the bunch in your hand. Snip off any long stems.
Save time by making all your small clippings ahead of time.
Step 3: Using the twine, wrap around the bunch and the grapevine wreath together a few times until secured. For the first bunch, tie a knot in the twine to hold it in place, but do not cut the end of the twine.
Wrap around the bunch a few times first, then wrap the bunch to the grapevine wreath.
Step 4: Gather a second bunch of foliage. Lay this bunch, overlapping the twine of the first, securing the first bunch to the wreath. Wrap twine around the base of the new bunch a few times and set it down.
Overlap in different directions for a more natural look.
Continue adding foliage to the wreath by overlapping the previous bunch and securing it with twine until there are no more gaps to fill.
Use different foliage in different bunches to mix things up.
Step 5: Secure the final bunch by gently lifting the foliage from the first bunch and tucking the stems underneath it. Secure with twine and tie off the final bunch with a few knots.
Use your first bunch to hide the twine of your last bunch.
Step 6: Now, take a last look at the wreath. You can tuck in a few more greens to even out the design or add a few embellishments such as pinecones (using florist wire to attach them), berries, ribbons, or even ornaments. Feel free to prune unruly parts as well.
You can always add more and prune afterward.
Step 7: Hang and enjoy!
Your wreath is ready to welcome guests!
FAQ About Making a Christmas Wreath
How long will a fresh wreath last?
I make my wreath in November, and it lasts until March. I live in Vancouver, so it’s pretty rainy and moist outside to keep the wreath hydrated.
Is there anything you can do to make a fresh wreath last longer?
I don’t do anything extra for my wreath, but if you live in a warm and dry climate, you can try misting your wreath daily with water. Before making your wreath, let your clippings sit in water for a few hours to get hydrated before you trim them.
There are also spray preservatives you can use to help keep your wreath hydrated.
Can I keep a fresh wreath indoors?
It will dry out more quickly indoors with the heat, but you can certainly keep it indoors.
Can you make a fresh wreath using yew?
Yew is toxic and can lose its needles really fast. It’s one of the few I recommend skipping in this post.
Can I use wire instead of twine to make a fresh wreath?
I like twine (it’s compostable!), but wire should also work fine. Use whatever you have on hand.
The final word on making a perfect wreath: just have fun with it. Experimenting with different foliage will allow the wreath to become traditional or modern, contained or wild, themed or every day.
A special thanks to the wonderful neighbourhood gals who provided all the foliage, wine, and treats that go along with the annual wreath-making afternoon.
More Ideas for Christmas Decor
How to Make a Christmas Wreath
Make a fresh wreath using greenery from your own garden and neighbourhood.
Gather all of your clippings and separate them into groups. Holly, cedar, pine, fir, cypress, laurel, magnolia, boxwood, camellia, and pieris are all good options.
Choose a firm branch with a thick stem for the base, and add a couple more different foliage on top. Snip any long stems.
Wrap around the base of the bundle a couple of times with the twine before securing it to the grapevine wreath and wrapping the twine around the wreath. Tie a knot to hold it in place. Do not cut the twine.
Repeat the last step, overlapping bundles all the way around the wreath.
Secure the final bunch by gently lifting the first bunch and tucking the stems underneath it. Secure it with the twine and tie it before cutting it.
Hang the wreath and prune any unruly parts. Add decorations if you want or leave it as is.
The prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door! Without a doubt, holly is one of the most popular evergreen wreaths and fresh decor used around the holidays. If you want to make a classic and timeless holly wreath for your home, keep reading.
A fresh holly wreath dotted with bright red berries is a traditional way to decorate for Christmas. While I love to play with all sorts of different greens (as well as whites, golds, yellows, blues, and reds) for my holiday decorations, the 20ft tall holly tree that adorns the entrance of my urban garden explodes with berries that beg to be used in festive arrangements.
The leaves may be a bit prickly, but they are worth a few bandages for the final result of this easy-to-make fresh holly wreath.
When you think of holly, you undoubtedly will associate it with Christmas. If you have one on your property, you may also think, “Ouch!” and “Ugh!” the two sentiments I utter when a) getting stabbed by the leaves and b) when I have to clean up the leaves that just won’t compost and pluck out all the volunteers around the garden.
Despite how you feel about the prickles, it’s hard not to appreciate the beauty of the glossy green leaves and perfect red berries.
Here’s what we’ll be covering today.
The bright red and green are a great contrast against a light-coloured door.
Where to Find Holly for Your Wreath
To make this wreath, I took some clippings from the large tree that borders my new garden and the neighbouring laurels. I’m lucky enough to find lots of holly in my area and can also forage for other materials for evergreen wreaths.
Before you get started cutting evergreens from your garden, please have a quick read of my pruning basics article. While I’m all for decorating with fresh cuttings from the garden, it is important to care for the health of your trees and shrubs’ health.
If you can’t find holly, you can feature other striking berries instead. Here are a few of my favourites:
You can also buy holly from a florist or even a local grocery store. Many florists will readily have these supplies available and would be happy to sell you the greenery to make your wreath.
Holly is commonly found in woodland areas.
How to Make a Fresh Holly Wreath
Using the holly, laurel leaves, and a grapevine wreath form, this traditional striking wreath can be made in under 30 minutes. But with minimal materials, it makes a big impact hanging on your front door!
Materials
You can use any wreath base, but I like a natural-looking vine wreath.
Make It!
Organize your clippings ahead of time by trimming them down in advance.
Start your wreath by gathering a bunch of laurel branches. Add one holly branch with lots of berries to the top and trim the bottom of the bunch.
To save time, don’t cut your twine. Just keep wrapping with the bundle.
Wind twine around the base of the bunch and then around the grapevine wreath. Secure the bunch by tying the twine in a knot, but do not cut the end.
Continue by making more bunches like the first one and winding them onto the grapevine wreath with twine.
Alternate the directions of your bundles for a more full and natural-looking wreath.
When you come to the end of the holly wreath, tuck the last bunch under the tops of the leaves of the first bunch, then wrestle with the twine and the pointy leaves until you have that last bunch secured. Tie it in a few knots to ensure that everything stays in place.
Now, have a quick look at the wreath. Are there any unruly bits? Use your pruners to shape the wreath and tame down some wild branches.
Hang it and prune some more to get a better look at what needs extra trimming.
Hang your wreath and have a good look at it. Is there more trimming to be done? Are there more berries needed, or is there a bare spot? Taking time to make these adjustments will make the most refined wreath.
Finally, hang your holly wreath where you are sure to enjoy it most or to create a festive welcome for your guests.
You can add more decorations or leave it as is.
Decorating Ideas for Your Holly Wreath
For my holly wreath, I left it free from decorations as I let the berries take centre stage. That being said, there are lots of ways you can decorate your wreath!
Pinecones always look good on any wreath. You can use floral wire to wrap around the base layer of the pinecones and then secure it in the wreath. Bleached pinecones have a specially unique and festive look.
For something a little different than pinecones, try a magnolia seed head.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holly Wreaths
How do you keep a holly wreath fresh?
If you hang your holly wreath outdoors, it shouldn’t need supplemental water to stay fresh. The cold air is usually enough to keep it looking good.
If you want to hang it inside or live in a warm and dry climate, you can spritz the wreath daily with water. You can also try using a finishing spray after making your wreath, which helps to keep fresh greenery hydrated for longer.
How long will a holly wreath last?
A holly wreath should last at least two weeks indoors and much longer outdoors. I usually compost my evergreen wreaths after Christmas because they’re no longer in season, even though they still look fresh!
How do you make a holly wreath without getting stabbed?
Holly can be very prickly, so making a holly wreath can be a little painful if you get poked. The classic types of holly, like English (Ilex aquifolium) or American (Ilex opaca), can be pretty prickly. You can find less prickly varieties like winterberry (Ilex verticillate) or Burford (Ilex cornuta). Otherwise, wear thick gardening gloves and long sleeves, and you shouldn’t get any painful pokes.
The holly wreath uses fresh laurel leaves and holly berries for a quintessentially Christmas decor piece.
Gather a handful of laurel branches. Add one holly branch with berries to the top.
Wind twine around the base of the bunch, and then secure the bunch to the wreath by wrapping the twine around the grapevine wreath. Secure twine by tying a knot, but do not cut it.
Continue making more bunches and layering them onto the grapevine wreath using the same twine.
At the end, tuck the last bunch under the top leaves of the first bunch. Secure with the twine and tie a few more knots before cutting.
Trim back any unruly parts of the holly wreath with the pruners.
It’s time to deck the halls and turn your home into a cozy winter wonderland. Rather than pull out the dusty, plastic garland that sheds or shell out the big bucks for a custom-made garland, try making your own cedar garland. Here’s how to make a cedar Christmas garland using minimal materials.
From Christmas trees to wreaths, it’s no wonder we love to decorate our homes with fresh greens during the holidays. In the darkest days of winter, we like to be reminded of the lush greenery of spring and summer. Luckily, we have evergreens to keep us company in the winter!
Fresh garden greens aren’t just for wreaths. An evergreen garland, or swag, can instantly cheer up a porch, banister, or fireplace. Garland can be made from many types of evergreen boughs. Generally, anything you can use for outdoor wreaths can be used for outdoor garlands.
But some greenery is better than others.
If you plan to bring your garland inside, the conditions are much drier, and watering will be difficult. I like cedar because it holds its leaves when dry and doesn’t turn brown for a very long time. I also love the look of the draping cedar leaves as they flop over the edges of a banister or fireplace.
If you want to make your own whimsical and natural cedar garland, keep reading!
Here’s what we’ll be covering today…
First, a Note on Accessibility
I have a bone to pick when it comes to garlands. For a long time, I’ve avoided posting a Christmas garland because I didn’t want to encourage people to block off railings for those who might need them.
Hand railings are essential for accessibility. People with mobility issues rely on them to get up stairs and avoid slips and falls. There are many invisible disabilities, so never assume your space is exempt from the rule.
Whether it’s the postman delivering your holiday packages or Christmas carolers who come to brighten your day, you never know you may be visiting your space and using the railing. Plus, you always want them something to grab in an emergency, like slipping on ice.
So please, if you’re making a Christmas garland with cedar, do not use it to decorate and block railings.
Add garland to railings outside that won’t be used, draped over windows, or lining the porch.
How to Make a Cedar Christmas Garland
You don’t need many materials to create this cedar Christmas garland. You can keep it as simple as you like, using cedar alone or adding in other greenery and decor for texture. And if you have a cedar tree in your yard, this is the perfect opportunity to prune it back and make something out of its branches.
Materials
A thick wire can also act as a base, helping to hold the garland shape if you’re winding it around something.
Make It!
Start by cutting the jute or rope to the length of the garland that you want to create. If you plan on hanging your garland, add extra length on either end to make loops for hanging.
It helps to tie my rope to something sturdy while making my cedar garland, allowing me to pull the rope tight.
Wrap your floral wire a few times around the base of the bunch until it feels secure.
Gather a nice handful of cedar and align the stems. If you’re adding more greenery than just cedar, alternate your types of greenery for a more natural look.
Secure this first bunch to the top end of the rope by wrapping it with floral wire. With one hand, hold your bunch and the rope tight while you wrap the base of the bunch with floral wire with the other hand.
Green floral wire gets hidden under the leaves.
Then, you’ll continue snipping cedar branches and securing bunches to the rope. As you layer them, overlapping and hiding the wire of the previous bunch. Alternate the direction that the bunches face for a more natural look.
When you get to the end of the garland, tie a few smaller cedar branches pointing the opposite direction of the other branches. Tie with floral wire to disguise the stems of the end branches.
It’s easy to tuck in the last bunch and hide the end of the rope.
Add Décor to Your Christmas Garland
This garland has a casual form and makes a wonderful backdrop to display holiday décor: natural elements, such as oversized sugar pinecones, mixed with unexpected items, such as sparkly, vintage mason jars lit with a string of fairy lights, create an eclectic-natural look.
You can make pinecone spheres to add to the cedar garland by gluing the bases of many mini pinecones onto a Styrofoam ball with a hot glue gun. Be sure to dry the pinecones first, so they are fully open.
Pinecone spheres are best made with small pinecones.
Garland Not Kindling
Take caution if you decorate your fireplace with soon-to-be-dry plant material (AKA kindling). Do not build a fire if there is any spark danger at all.
In my home, the gas fire is completely behind glass. Even still, the fireplace is kept on a low setting and is never left unattended. Safety comes first and beauty second.
Yes, fresh greenery is flammable still! So be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Cedar Garland
Why you should use a real cedar garland?
Christmas garlands with cedar are quite simple to make. You can even forage for the clippings, making it an affordable option. The best reason to opt for a real cedar garland instead of a faux one is to avoid plastic. Faux Christmas greenery doesn’t usually have as long a lifespan as we might think; most faux Christmas trees are only used for six years.
After the season, you can compost the leaves and even the twine, saving the floral wire for another project or next year’s Christmas garland.
How long will a cedar garland last?
Cedar garlands should last about two weeks indoors if they’re kept away from heat sources. Cedar keeps fairly well compared to other evergreens. If you place your garland outside, it will last much longer, upwards of a month.
How do I keep my garland alive?
The key to making your cedar Christmas garland last is to keep it from drying out. Avoid placing it by any heat registers or fire. So yes, while it may look good above the fireplace, it’s probably not the best spot for the garland if you intend on having a fire. It’s also a major safety concern.
To keep your cedar garland hydrated, you can spritz it daily with a spray bottle on a misting setting. If possible, aim for the base of the plant.
What’s the best way to add lights to a cedar garland?
You’ll want to add lights (and other décor) once you’ve made the garland rather than wrapping it in the garland itself.
Start at one end of the garland and start zigzagging the lights across the garland. Tuck in some lights to be nestled in the greens and have others sitting on top.
Embrace the warmth of the season with an ensemble of handcrafted, designer décor bows featuring popular burlap, plaid and metallic sparkles
Press Release –
Oct 10, 2016
Margate, FL, October 10, 2016 (Newswire.com)
– Darling Chic Design is launching its newest line of hand-made holiday tree toppers, wreaths, and gift bows on October 18th.
Darling Chic Design was founded by Karisa Cloutier in 2013. Her bow-making story began with making simple gift baskets for her friends and family. Now, Darling Chic Design is raising the bar in home décor by creating one-of-a-kind bows for a truly unique home designing experience. While only in business for 3 years, Karisa has now become known for her trend setting, and much anticipated bow creations. Here’s what some of Darling Chic Design’s customers had to say:
Darling Chic Design is raising the bar in home décor by creating one of a kind bows for a truly unique home designing experience.
Darling Chic Design
“Even though I make my own crafts, when I saw this bow I just had to have it. It is much prettier in person. I can’t wait to make the wreath for my door. This will definitely be the focal point of the wreath. Turnaround time was excellent.” –Anita K.
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The Holiday Allure Collection
The inviting line will include exclusive designer pieces created with burlap, metallics and plaids; and also includes Darling Chic Design’s best-selling holiday item, The Country Christmas Set. This dazzling array of bows includes one large tree topper bow, along with 12 matching smaller tree ornament bows created with gorgeous gold trimmed tartan plaid ribbon. This set, as with others in the collection, can have multi-functional uses in the home as tree toppers, mantel decorations, gift bows, and more! Other pieces in the Holiday Allure Collection include:
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