Christmas wreath-making photo by Fabien TWB on Unsplash
It’s July, so it may seem like a weird time of year to be writing about Christmas wreaths and garlands, but Christmas in July is an actual thing. It’s at this time of year when the press starts working on their Christmas gift guides and magazine articles, and when brands start promoting their Christmas ranges. It’s also the time when bloggers start sharing our Christmas content over on Pinterest so that when you guys are looking for inspiration in a few months, it’s all already there and waiting for you.
So in this post, I am collaborating with Christmas Trees Direct to get your creative juices flowing and inspire you to make your own Christmas wreaths and garlands to decorate your home this year. I’ve made my own wreath for the last couple of years actually. I normally sign up for a wreath-making workshop at the local church and it’s really fun doing it in a group with others. It’s also easier and cheaper than you might think!
For me, nothing says Christmas quite like a fresh Christmas wreath or garland. Bursting with festive greenery and adorned with Christmas decor, a beautiful Christmas wreath hanging from the front door welcomes family and friends to your home. Adding a coordinating fresh garland inside ties the whole look together and sends a wonderfully Christmassy scent around the house. I do love the smell of Christmas!
How to Make a Live Christmas Wreath or Garland
Christmas wreath photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash
Artificial wreaths and garlands have their place. They are generally inexpensive and last for years, saving time and effort. However, they don’t have the same magic about them as a fresh wreath. Ready-made live wreaths and garlands are also widely available to be hung straight away.
However, neither artificial nor ready-made options compare to a homemade wreath or garland. Not only can you tailor your festive greenery to match your home’s style and colour scheme, but DIY wreaths and garlands are always unique. The most magical wreaths and garlands are those with a personal touch, right?
Wreath and garland making is a great Christmas craft activity, and it’s simple enough that you can get the kids involved too. I haven’t done this with my kids yet but they are probably old enough this year that it could be a fun activity that we do together.
Materials You’ll Need to Make a Wreath
- Gardening gloves: Holly leaves and spruce needles can be very prickly, so it’s always best to protect your hands from being scratched.
- Tools: The main tools you’ll need are for cutting. Scissors and wire cutters are ideal for attaching ornaments to the frame. Hand secateurs or pruners make cutting the small branches a breeze.
- A wreath frame or rope: The easiest way to shape your creation into a wreath form is to use a frame. The wreath frame can be made of wire, twigs or straw, and you can make your own or buy one from a garden centre or craft shop. For garlands, a green rope is perfect to use as a base.
- Greenery: Arguably the most important element of a gorgeous Christmas wreath or garland. Holly, fir, cedar and spruce are traditional festive options. Prune small branches from garden trees (with the owner’s permission, of course) or buy what you need from a florist or garden centre. You might find some Christmas tree stockists will let you have cast-off cuttings for free.
- Decorations: Every Christmas wreath and garland needs decorations. Choose your adornments and have them ready to go before you start.
- Floral wire: Floral wire is ideal for securing decorations to the wreath without the need for glue guns.
The Best DIY Christmas Wreath Decorations
The decorations you choose for your DIY wreath and garland depend on the look you’re aiming for. Consider whether you’d prefer a flashy, glittery look or a more natural, understated appearance.
Creative Ideas for Beautiful Wreaths
Metallic Christmas wreath photo by Vika Fleysher on Unsplash
Metallic
A metallic wreath has an opulent look that oozes sophistication. Opt for Christmas decorations with warm gold and bronze tones, or use silver ornaments for a cool wintry feel. Use baubles and beads or spray paint pine cones and leaves for a different texture.
Traditional
Green and red are quintessential Christmas colours that work well together on a traditional wreath design. Use berries, ribbons, candy canes, baubles, or dried poinsettia flowers to add red accents to the greenery around the wreath form.
Woodland
A woodland inspired Christmas wreath photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash
A natural woodland wreath has a certain charm and is a great idea if you’re making a wreath or garland on a budget. Forage in the woods for pine cones, berries, and additional greenery to add texture and interest.
Food
Just to be clear, we’re not talking about decorating your Christmas wreath with a full turkey dinner! However, certain foods work well on live wreaths and garlands. Dried fruit, nuts, cinnamon sticks and even candy canes are ideal for decorating a DIY wreath.
Fun
The best thing about making your own Christmas wreath is that there are no rules! Let your imagination run wild, adding as much colour and texture as you like. Raid the craft box for bright pom-poms, ribbons, baubles, bells, and whatever else you can find.
How to Put Your Christmas Wreath or Garland Together
Christmas Wreath making workshop photo by Hillary Ungson on Unsplash
Gather all your supplies together and make sure you have everything you need. There are few things more frustrating than trying to hold the floral wire, wreath and decoration at the same time and then realising you’ve forgotten the wire cutters!
Prune the greenery into appropriately sized pieces that are easy to work with. Use floral wire or a glue gun to attach them to the frame or rope. Step back occasionally to ensure the sprigs are even and there are no sparse or extra bushy patches.
Once the frame is completely hidden, it’s time to start adding the decorations. This is the fun part! Lie the wreath flat on the table and put the adornments in place without securing them just yet. Doing this lets you assess how the finished wreath will look before you commit to tying it all together. When you’re happy with the design, go ahead and secure the ornaments using floral wire or a glue gun.
Top Tips for Real Christmas Wreaths and Garlands
- Measure the place your DIY wreath or garland will hang before you start, and make sure it’ll fit.
- Position the branches so they all face in the same direction. Doing this creates a flow to the garland or wreath form.
- Weave a string of battery-powered Christmas lights through the wreath form for some extra sparkle.
- Start with the large decorations and work your way down to the smallest ones.
- Mix and match a variety of materials to add texture and interest.
- Spritz wreaths and garlands with water every week to keep them hydrated and help them stay fresh all season long.
Where to Place Your Finished Christmas Garland or Wreath
Christmas Wreath Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash
When you’ve finished creating your festive masterpiece, you’ll obviously want to show it off. You might already have the perfect spot in mind, but we have some ideas if you need a little inspiration.
Wreaths
The Front Door
The most traditional way to display a Christmas wreath is to hang it from the front door. A fresh Christmas wreath makes a lovely welcome home, and by hanging from the front door, it can be enjoyed by neighbours and passers-by as well.
A Living Room Wall
If you’d rather see more of your DIY wreath than just a fleeting glance as you open the front door, you might consider hanging it in the living room. A chimney wall is perfect for a Christmas wreath, especially when it’s paired with a garland along the mantel. Alternatively, hang the wreath above the television or behind the sofa.
In a Window
Windows are ideal locations for wreaths if your front door isn’t protected from the weather. The wreath can still be appreciated from outside, welcoming family and friends as they walk up the garden path while being sheltered from wind and rain.
A Garage Door
Forgot to measure the front door before making your Christmas wreath? Hang it from the garage door instead. With a bigger surface, you can get away with a much larger wreath and still show it off to friends, neighbours and the couriers delivering your Christmas shopping.
Console Table
Lay the wreath flat on a console table and add some festive candles for a Christmassy focal point in any room. Doing this is an ideal way to ensure the ornaments stay in place if you’re not confident of your tying technique!
Garlands
Christmas garland photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Mantelpiece
Traditionally, garlands are draped across the fireplace mantel. However, fresh greenery can dry out quickly above a heat source, so if you have a working fireplace, you may want to find another spot to display your garland.
Stair Railings
A garland wrapped around a hallway staircase railing looks great and complements the wreath on the front door as people enter your home. Use cable ties or leftover floral wire to secure the garland and prevent it from becoming a trip hazard on the stairs.
Dining Table
Draping a fresh garland down the middle of the dining table creates a unique centrepiece that brings festive cheer to the Christmas dinner setting. Alternatively, hang the garland above the table if you need more space.
Sideboards
Sideboards are great for displaying Christmas garlands. They’re just the right shape to drape the greenery across and are the perfect height for catching the eye.
As you can see, a DIY Christmas wreath or garland isn’t hard to make, and you don’t need a talent for crafting to create something special. Fresh wreaths and garlands are perfect for hanging outside and around the home, and it’s actually pretty difficult to make one NOT look good!
Have you ever made your own Christmas wreath or garland? Let me know how you found it in the comments below. And don’t forget to pin this post for later.
