DIY Christmas Wreath

Make Your Own Wreath for a Seasonal Display

Wreaths are great to make in all seasons - but they're especially nice during Christmas.  Make it with found items and natural accents so it's genuinely yours. If you're big into DIY, a Christmas Wreath with twigs and other finds from nature is a great place to start, especially if you do it with family members or a group of friends. My daughter does this every year with her compadres.

Creating a DIY Christmas wreath is a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor. Here are three ideas for creating your own, with different styles and budgets in mind.

1. The Traditional Christmas Wreath

This classic wreath is made with fresh greenery and natural elements, perfect for a timeless holiday look.

Materials:

Balsam fir branches (about 25, 24-inch branches)

Wreath frame
Pine, cedar, and holly clippings
Floral wire
Pruning shears
Pinecones, berries, and other decorative elements
Ribbon or raffia for a bow

Instructions:

1. Start by creating small bundles of greenery. Combine a few fir branches with some pine, cedar, and holly. Wrap the ends of each bundle tightly with floral wire.

2. Attach the bundles to the wreath frame, overlapping them to create a full look. Continue adding bundles until the entire frame is covered.

3. Use floral wire to attach pinecones, berries, and any other decorative elements you've chosen.

4. Create a bow with your ribbon and attach it to the top or bottom of the wreath.

2. The Modern Hoop Wreath

For a more minimalist and modern take on the Christmas wreath, a hoop wreath is a great option.

Materials:

A metal or wooden hoop (any size)
A variety of fresh or faux greenery (such as eucalyptus, ferns, or pine)
Floral wire or a hot glue gun
Ribbon or twine for hanging
Optional: small ornaments, bells, or other modern decorative elements

Instructions:

1. Arrange your chosen greenery along one side of the hoop, leaving a portion of the hoop exposed for a modern, asymmetrical look.

2. Once you are happy with the arrangement, use floral wire or a hot glue gun to secure the greenery to the hoop.

3. Add any optional decorative elements, such as small ornaments or bells.

4. Tie a ribbon or a piece of twine to the top of the hoop for hanging.

3. The Budget-Friendly Dollar Store Wreath

You can create a beautiful and festive wreath without breaking the bank by using materials from your local dollar store.

Materials:

A foam or wire wreath form
Garland, tinsel, or deco mesh
A variety of shatterproof ornaments
A hot glue gun and glue sticks
Ribbon for a bow
Any other festive embellishments you can find

Instructions:

1. Wrap the wreath form with garland, tinsel, or deco mesh, using hot glue to secure the ends.

2. Arrange the ornaments on the wreath, and once you are happy with the placement, use hot glue to attach them.

3. Create a bow from your ribbon and attach it to the wreath.

4. Add any other embellishments you'd like to complete your wreath.

Wreaths are easy to make, using a coat hanger, a circle of wire, or even out of  twined grapevines or willow canes. See more about how to make a wreath here. Keep an eye open at the thrift store for a base of wire, or even grapevines.

Whatever is already on there can be removed if it's not to your taste.

Wreaths are beautiful accents to display on a wall (especially if it's old and weathered) not necessarily a door. Celebrate the changing of the seasons with customized versions for each different time of year.

Give them as gifts, for friends who may not be as creative.

Think outside the box and decorate it with whatever you can find; pine cones or other seed pods, tiny birds nests and faux birds, little rusty bells or any wildcrafted item.

Those gold colored bells that you get around this time of year that are used as decor, or even on dog harnesses for a seasonal jingle, can be cooked in the fire to give them a more rustic look. I do that with most fake brass accessories, so they have a much more subtle feel, without the annoying brassy bling.

Once the foundation is set, either in some kind of twig, or metal, then the fun begins.  Simple is best. When you feel you're done, take something off, to keep it classic.

To get your DIY in gear, have a party with a few friends to make Christmas wreaths all together. It's a blast, and having others to bounce ideas off is a great way to use the hive mind.

Other ways to get inspiration are to look through magazines with Christmas decor, or even geared towards primitive decorating. They often have wreaths displayed in all kinds of situations.

I hope these ideas inspire you to create a beautiful Christmas wreath for your home