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Introduction
If you want to know how to make your own holiday wreath this Christmas, but don't have a clue as to where to start, this page will help you. It covers everything from the types of evergreen you can use to how to decorate your wreath to make a beautiful and festive Christmas decoration. Christmas wreaths are a vibrant symbol of the holiday season. Although evergreen wreaths can be purchased almost anywhere, making your own helps ensure that your wreath is fresh and lasts throughout the season. In addition to evergreens, several other types of greenery can be used - this is where your own taste and creativity can come into play. The same is true for things you can use to decorate your constructed wreath; everything from pine cones from your own yard to nuts, berries, seed pods and bells can be added to your wreath. Christmas wreaths are an easy and inexpensive craft to make. Read on to learn how to make a Christmas wreath. -
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Constructing a Holiday Wreath
This video describes the different types of greens that can be used in making a Christmas wreath. It discusses the specific characteristics of each g ... read moreThis video describes the different types of greens that can be used in making a Christmas wreath. It discusses the specific characteristics of each green, and how they can best be used as part of a wreath. The greens reviewed include evergreens as well as other greens that can be used in making a wreath.
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Equipment
- There are a few tools that you will need to complete your wreath. Including:
- Wire cuttersMarthaStewart.com: Wreaths 101
- Plastic or metal wreath frame (You can use an old wire hanger, but it will not provide you with as much support as a purchased frame.)Make-Stuff: Gift and Craft Projects: How to Make Wreaths for All Occasions
- Pruning shearsMarthaStewart.com: Wreath-Making Kit
- Green floral wireMarthaStewart.com: Wreath-Making Kit
- Gardening glovesMarthaStewart.com: Wreaths 101
- There are a few tools that you will need to complete your wreath. Including:
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Choosing Your Greenery
- You have a lot of options regarding what greenery to use. Evergreen branches are traditionally used for Christmas wreaths. If you can't decide on one type of branch, feel free to use a combination of different types.FamilyFun.com: Make Your Own Classic Holiday Wreath
- Barberry: Broad-leaved evergreen.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- Boxwood: Broad-leaved evergreen that has small leaves with a fine-texture.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens Clemson University: Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery
- Firs: Short, flat needles with a nice scent. Firs are tolerant of indoor conditions.Clemson University: Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery Fraser, balsam and douglas are good choices.Clemson University: Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- Hemlock: Small, flat needles. Avoid using indoors because it drops needles quickly.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- Holly: Comes in both green and variegated colors; Broad-leaved evergreen.Clemson University: Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- Junipers: Short, sticky, green or silver-blue needles with blue berries.Clemson University: Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery Red cedar is a very good choice.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- Magnolia: Glossy, large, dark green leaves.Clemson University: Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery
- Mountain Laurel: Broad-leaved evergreen best used outdoors.Clemson University: Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery
- Oregon Holly-Grape: Broad-leaved evergreen.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- Rhododendron: Broad-leaved evergreen.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- Spruce: Short, sharp needles and stiff branches. Avoid using indoors because it drops needles quickly.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- True Cedars: Short needles with good fragrance. Spray cones with lacquer or acrylic to prevent pollen release.Clemson University: Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery
- Virginia Pine: Short, coarse needles. Virginia Pines are known to last a long time.Clemson University: Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery
- White Pine: Long, soft, bluish-green needles.Clemson University: Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery
Other greenery you can use:Clemson University: Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery MoPlants Garden Guide: Holiday Gifts & Decorating Ideas - You have a lot of options regarding what greenery to use. Evergreen branches are traditionally used for Christmas wreaths. If you can't decide on one type of branch, feel free to use a combination of different types.FamilyFun.com: Make Your Own Classic Holiday Wreath
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Gathering Greenery
- You can purchase your greenery or you can obtain it from your landscape. You can also obtain it from wild sources, providing you obtain permission from the land owner first.MoPlants Garden Guide: Holiday Gifts & Decorating Ideas Here are some tips to harvesting greenery:
- Take care not to damage the plant.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- Prune branches evenly (from each side).Clemson University: Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery
- Know what you are harvesting.MoPlants Garden Guide: Holiday Gifts & Decorating Ideas
- Take only a little from each plant.MoPlants Garden Guide: Holiday Gifts & Decorating Ideas
- You can purchase your greenery or you can obtain it from your landscape. You can also obtain it from wild sources, providing you obtain permission from the land owner first.MoPlants Garden Guide: Holiday Gifts & Decorating Ideas Here are some tips to harvesting greenery:
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Starting Your Wreath
- Wear gloves when handling evergreen to avoid being pricked by the needles.MarthaStewart.com: Wreaths 101
- Cut your greenery so each piece is between 6 to 8 inches long.FamilyFun.com: Make Your Own Classic Holiday Wreath
- Wrap one end of a spool of wire around the crossbar of your frame or attach it to your frame using tape.MarthaStewart.com: Wreaths 101
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Attaching the First Piece
- The first bunch you attach should be slightly larger than the rest.Maine Made Christmas: How to Make Balsam Christmas Wreaths
- Take a small group of three to five pieces of greenery and lay them onto the form.MarthaStewart.com: Wreaths 101 The needles should face upward.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- Wrap the wire tightly around the stems at least three times.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- Do not cut the wire.MarthaStewart.com: Wreaths 101
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Attaching the Second Piece
- Again, collect about three to five pieces of greenery.
- Position the second set so it overlaps the first piece halfway like shingles on a roof.MarthaStewart.com: Wreaths 101 Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens The stems should be facing the same way.Maine Made Christmas: How to Make Balsam Christmas Wreaths
- Wrap the wire around all of the pieces of greenery.Maine Made Christmas: How to Make Balsam Christmas Wreaths
- Make sure the wire is tight.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
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Completing the Wreath
- Repeat steps in the previous section until the frame is completely covered and you reach your starting point.MarthaStewart.com: Wreaths 101 Do not skimp on greens.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- To attach the last piece, hold back the first sprigs and bind the last bundle underneath (to hide the wire).Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- Tie off the wire and cut it.MarthaStewart.com: Wreaths 101
- To hang the wreath, tie a piece of ribbon or wire around the top of the frame and use it to hang the wreath from a nail or hook.FamilyFun.com: Make Your Own Classic Holiday Wreath
- YouTube: Constructing a Holiday Wreath (Time: 5:04)
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Decorating Tips
- If you decide to decorate your wreath, you will want to consider the overall design before choosing the colors and other elements. Then, begin at the base and work your way around the wreath.University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Wreaths for All Occasions
- Items can be added by attaching floral wire to each decoration and then attaching the wire to the frame.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- If using smaller decorations, wire several together before attaching them.University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Wreaths for All Occasions
- If you are using fresh flowers, use water picks to keep them from fading.University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Wreaths for All Occasions
- Add sparkle by spraying the wreath with glitter paint or powdered snow.Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Holiday Greens
- When choosing design objects, scale and proportion are important.University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Wreaths for All Occasions You don't want the elements to overwhelm your wreath.
- If deciding to add a bow, French ribbon is the easiest to control because it has wired edges.University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Wreaths for All Occasions
- You can paint pine cones, leaves and other natural elements if desired.University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Wreaths for All Occasions
- To see some example of completed wreaths, check out:
- Michaels: Festivale Holiday Wreath | Holiday Cheer Wreath | Christmas Present Wreath
- JOANN: Simply Elegant Holiday Wreaths
- HowStuffWorks: How to Make a Christmas Wreath
- YouTube: How to Make a Giant Holiday Wreath (Time: 3:11)
- YouTube: How to Make a Christmas Wreath (Time: 2:25)
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Alternatives
- Use a square frame.Michaels: Square Poinsettia Wreath
- Pack the frame with floral moss before attaching greenery.BBC: Making a Christmas Wreath
- Use a foam or straw frame for your base.Mountain Valley Growers: Wreath Making Some examples of this include:
- Better Homes and Gardens: Huckleberry Wreath
- Mountain Valley Growers: Wreath Making
- Clemson Extension: Making Wreaths
- VideoJug: How To Make A Christmas Wreath (Time: 5:11)
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Conclusion
- Now that you have your wreath, you might enjoy some of the other craft or how to pages located in Mahalo's Christmas section, such as How to Decorate a Christmas Tree or How to Make Christmas Ornaments. You can also find some tasty pages, such as How to Decorate Christmas Cupcakes, How to Bake Christmas Cookies, How to Decorate Christmas Cookies, How to Build a Gingerbread House or How to Make Gingerbread Men. If you haven't done your shopping yet, then you will find How to Make Your Own Gifts, How to Buy Gifts for Co-Workers, How to Buy Gifts on a Budget, How to Buy a Christmas Tree and How to Wrap Presents.
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