Creating your own Christmas wreath with fresh foliage is a fun, creative way to deck your halls for the holidays. Plus, the lovely smells of pine, spruce, and cedar are a perfect seasonal touch! Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to making your own wreath that will impress your guests and spread holiday cheer. You’ll need….
Fresh greenery: Pine, fir, cedar, holly, eucalyptus, etc.
Wreath frame: You can buy a wire or wooden frame, or make one from flexible twigs.
Florist wire or garden wire
Floral pins (optional)
Scissors or garden shears
Hot glue gun (for any extra decorations)
Decorative elements: Ornaments, ribbons, dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, pine cones, etc.
Step 1: Gather Your Foliage
Head to your favourite local florist to gather a variety of fresh greenery. Look for a mix of textures—think sprigs of fir, branches of holly, sprigs of eucalyptus, and maybe a few pine cones for extra holiday flair. Aim for around 10-15 bunches, depending on the size of your wreath.
Step 2: Prep Your Frame
If you're using a wire wreath frame, wrap a thin layer of wire around it to create a base. You can also use a grapevine wreath frame for a more rustic look. Make sure the frame is secure and easy to work with.
Step 3: Start Layering the Greenery
Take a piece of your fresh greenery, and trim it to a manageable length (around 6-8 inches). Lay it across the wreath frame, with the stems pointing outward. Use florist wire to attach the greenery to the frame—wrap the wire tightly around the stem and the frame to hold it in place.
Continue layering in a circular motion, overlapping the stems as you go to create a full, lush wreath. Be sure to alternate your foliage types for texture and depth.
Step 4: Secure and Shape the Wreath
Once you've covered the entire wreath frame, check for any gaps or loose bits of greenery. Fill in those spaces by layering smaller branches or sprigs to make your wreath more symmetrical. If needed, trim any excess to shape the wreath evenly.
Step 5: Add Your Decorative Touches
Now for the fun part—adding festive decorations! You can hot glue small pine cones, berries, dried orange slices, or cinnamon sticks to give your wreath that extra pop. Add a big, beautiful ribbon bow at the top to complete the look.
If you like a more rustic vibe, you could also wrap a string of fairy lights around the wreath to give it a magical glow.
Step 6: Hang Your Wreath
Once everything is secure, find the perfect spot to display your wreath. Use a simple ribbon to hang it on your door, or secure it to a hook inside for a festive centerpiece. Voilà! You've got a homemade, fresh foliage wreath that’s ready to spread Christmas cheer!
Keep your wreath hydrated by misting it with water every few days, especially if you're using delicate foliage like eucalyptus. For longer-lasting greenery, keep the wreath out of direct sunlight and avoid heat sources.
Enjoy your festive creation and happy holidays! And if that all seems like a bit much to take on this hectic holiday season, you can click here to order a beautiful bespoke wreath created especially for you by the Lillipollen team. 🎄
