How to Make a Christmas Wreath

Hanging a wreath on your front door is an ancient tradition, believed to date back to Roman times. A wreath is the perfect way to welcome visitors to your home this Christmas. Even if we can't have as many visitors this year it's a lovely way to share the festive cheer with your neighbours. Wreaths are usually made from evergreens as a symbol of everlasting life and the circular shape represents continuity, the end of one year and the beginning of a new year. It's a simple and beautiful way to make your home feel festive.

It's easy to make your own wreath. Follow these step-by-step instructions below.

How to Make a wreath

Materials required:
Wreath Base - moss, vine, twig, metal
Florists twine - preferably green or black
Wire cutters (not essential)
Secateurs or scissors
Foliage - evergreens are best and last longest - fir, pine, spruce, laurel, bay leaf, cedar, also use cuttings from the Christmas tree,
Decorations - pine cones, cinnamon sticks, dried fruit, baubles, berries, ribbons etc. Try and source ones with wire attached already or use your florists wire to attach
Twine or ribbon - for hanging

Step 1
Choose your wreath base. There are lots of options: moss, vine, twig, metal. Choose an appropriate size that will fit your door.

Step 2
Next cut your foliage into approx. 20cm lengths. Make sure you have plenty of foliage, you want your wreath to look generous and abundant.

Step 3
Bunch the foliage into clusters of 5 or 6 pieces of foliage. If you are using a mixture of foliage spread the different varieties evenly throughout the bunches. Wrap the wire around the base of the bunch a couple of times.

Step 4
Place your first bunch on the base and wrap the florist wire tightly around the base of the foliage 5 times. Keep the wire reel attached the to the wreath the whole time - do not cut the wire. You want to keep the reel attached to the wire until you have covered the entire base with foliage. 

Step 5
Place your next bunch of foliage on the wreath, making sure to cover the base of the previous bunch to hide the wire from view. Ensure the bunches are all pointing at the same angle in order to keep your wreath symmetrical. Continue this process until the entire wreath base is covered in foliage.

Step 6
Now start to add your decorations. Attach your pine cones, dried fruit etc. If your decorations don't come with wire attached already, simply use your florists wire to attach them. For example wrap wire around the base of pine cones and secure tightly. Insert wire through slices of orange and attach.

Step 7
Finally, decide how you want to hang your wreath. If using a wreath hook you can simply place the wreath onto the hook. Or use twine or ribbon to hang from knocker or hook on your door.