Our guide to making your own stunning Christmas wreath
A first day of advent tradition that’s stood the test of time, making your own Christmas wreath can set the festive tone for December. Creating a beautiful, welcoming entrance to your home that you and your loved ones will enjoy throughout the festive season.
Festive decorations start with a classic wreath
Creating your own Christmas wreath is a wonderful way to celebrate the festive season. More than another annual decoration, as the first thing guests see, it reflects your personal style and creativity.
Our team at Charles Church were lucky enough to attend a wreath-making workshop, and we're sharing key tips in this step-by-step guide. Read on, to learn how to make a wreath that’s not only beautiful, but brimming with yule-tide elegance.
What you’ll need
To make an authentic wreath, combine sustainable foraged materials with your favourite decorations and elements:
- Wreath base: Choose either a sturdy wire frame, a natural grapevine wreath, or a foam ring for a polished foundation
- Greenery: Fresh-cut spruce, eucalyptus, holly or ivy bring texture and fragrance. Walk around your local area for foraged pieces that give an organic touch.
- Decorative elements: Pinecones, dried citrus, clusters of berries, velvet ribbons, and shimmering baubles add visual interest
- Floristry wire: An essential for securing your foliage and decorations
- Pruning shears: Perfect for easy cutting of greenery and final trims of your wreath
Step 1: Prepare your base
Begin by attaching a loop of satin ribbon or wire to chosen top of your wreath base, this will allow for easy hanging at the end – making your wreath ready to display as soon as it’s complete.
If you’re using a wire frame, a layer of moss or straw, fastened with floristry wire, creates a full and natural base. Grapevine and foam bases allow you to start layering foliage immediately for a more seamless look.
Step 2: Add festive greenery
Select a range of foraged foliage for a full, luxurious-looking wreath. You can also layer various shades of green, for example combining soft, aromatic eucalyptus with the rich green of fir branches and vines of ivy or holly to create a beautiful texture for your base.
When adding your pieces, arrange small bundles of greenery, overlapping them slightly for a cohesive flow, and secure each bundle with floristry wire. Be mindful to follow the same direction around the wreath to create a professional finish.
Step 3: Incorporate colour with decorations
If you love a natural theme, adorn your wreath with elements such as pine cones, dried oranges and cinnamon sticks for a timeless look. And for added opulence, include gilded berries, metallic baubles or delicate faux-frosted branches. You can even go on-trend and add Pantone's colour of year: Peach Fuzz.
Use fine wire or a hot glue gun to attach your decorations securely. Keep the design balanced by spacing out larger items and clustering smaller accents for a super luxe wreath.
Step 4: Finishing touches
Adjust any uneven areas or sparse sections with any decorations or foliage you have left. Make sure the thickness is the same around the whole of the wreath.
To complete your festive-front-door masterpiece, create a wide velvet-ribbon bow or a cascading satin ribbon at the bottom or top of the wreath - and choose a colour that pops and coordinates with your design.
The season of giving begins...
A symbol of the season, your handcrafted wreath deserves to be pride of place for friends and neighbours to admire.
You can also use it as a table centrepiece with candles for a beautiful festive dining table look. To keep your wreath fresh, spray it lightly with water every few days, especially if you’ve used natural foliage.
Creating a wreath is more than a Christmas activity. It’s an opportunity to slow down, connect with the season and infuse your home with festive sophistication. Let your creativity shine, and revel in the joy of creating something truly unique and luxurious.
Share your Christmas creations
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Charles Church