How to DIY a Traditional Christmas Wreath

DIY Christmas Wreath

A traditional Christmas wreath makes a beautiful addition to a home during the holidays. Wreaths are a stylish yet simple way to add to your decor this holiday season. For some households, it’s a required Christmas decor for the front door or above the fireplace.

However, as beautiful as it is, a traditional holiday wreath can be very expensive. So why buy one when you can make your own DIY wreath? Using some items in your own backyard, I’ve put together a quick and easy step by step guide on how to create your own Christmas Wreath. 

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How to DIY Christmas Wreath

Christmas Wreaths are timeless holiday decor. A traditional winter wreath has been known to be made from evergreens such as conifers, boxwood, holly, or eucalyptus, with accents such as red berries or pinecones. This may sound like a lot, but the good news is that wreaths are actually very simple to make for all skill levels. All you’ll need are a few simple materials and greenery to complete your DIY Christmas decorations in under an hour.

Christmas Wreath Supplies and Materials Needed

  • Wreath Ring – The size you choose is up to you. I went with a 14″ wreath ring.
  • Florist Wire 
  • Greenery – I used Conifer Sprigs and heavenly bamboo. But you can also use English Ivy, eucalyptus, or rosemary. 
  • Decorative floral accent pieces – bright colored berries, Holly, dried orange slices, or pine cones will work for this project.
  • Scissors
  • Optional – Ribbons

You can grab most of the craft supplies at the dollar store or local craft stores.

supplies for traditional diy christmas wreath

Step 1 – Gather your greenery. 

Wreath-like plant materials are abundant in the fall or winter time, especially in your backyard. You’d be amazed at what you can find in your backyard. I was able to find traditional evergreen branches like Conifer, heavenly bamboo and berries. So, shop around, go foraging in your yard and see what you can find. 

And if you’re not in an area where you can forage, you can source any of this greenery from a local tree farm, nursery, garden, or park to find what you’re looking for. Mix and match the varying foliage. If you cannot find real greenery locally or in your backyard, you can always buy faux greenery at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. It will look just as pretty. 

greenery for christmas wreath

Step 2 – Cut your greenery. 

Cut individual pieces of greenery about 6-14″ long. Cut them into varying lengths and pieces. Allow for imperfections with your fresh cut greens. Once done, place them in a pile. Keeping similar pieces in a variety of sizes grouped in piles will be helpful once you begin to construct the festive wreath.

Step 3 – Affix the greenery to the wreath ring.

Put together pieces of greenery. I combined Conifer and Heavenly Bamboo. Begin Wrapping the bare wreath ring a few times with the florist wire. This will give the florist wire a firm position on the wreath ring to begin making your homemade wreaths. Attach the greenery bunch to the base of the wreath ring using the florist wire.

Then overlap the next piece of greenery, and lay it over the existing greenery while covering more ground of the wreath ring. Secure the base of foliage again with wire. Continue to do this with additional foliage until the whole wreath ring is covered with greenery and securely attached with floral wire. When you get to the last piece of greenery, lift the first set of greenery back, tucking the ends of your last bunch underneath. Then, wrap the wreath a couple more times with the wire to secure it and cut the end of the wire.

greenery with florist wire

Step 4 – Add your decorative accent pieces to the natural wreath.

Now it’s time to add accent pieces like berries to decorate the natural Christmas wreath. Take a small piece of wire and wrap it around the decorative foliage’s stem. Push the wired piece of foliage into the wreath, then turn it over and wire it carefully onto the existing wreath’s wire. Continue to do this with each piece of accent foliage. Make sure each style of foliage is evenly spaced around the wreath, so it looks natural and streamlined. Continue with adding more until you are happy with the look.

berries for christmas wreath

Step 5 – Step back and inspect your creative wreath.

Please take a look at the wreath to ensure it looks the way you want it to. If some of the branches are tucking out, use more florist wire to pull them in. You can also use scissors to cut off any excess pieces that are sticking out or are too long. This is your opportunity to add your finishing touches.

Step 6 – Hang the wreath.

I used a dollar store hook to hook to hang it over the front door. However, you can wrap a piece of ribbon through the wreath and make a loop. This will create the hook to be able to hang the wreath.

DIY Christmas Wreath

How long will the wreath last?

Since this is a live greenery, this simple wreath will last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks – well beyond the holidays. Ultimately it will all depend on the weather, how you take care of it, and where it is hung (inside versus outside). If the live greens are displayed indoors, then you will need to make sure that you are bringing a light mist to the wreath every couple of days to prevent it from drying out. To prolong the life of any greenery, spritz it with water regularly and display it in a cool place.

I hope you enjoyed this simple project. Now that you have experienced just how easy it is to make your own DIY Christmas Wreath, I’m sure this will become a new holiday tradition and staple next year.

Need more DIY project inspiration for Christmas? Check out How to make a Christmas Pillow and DIY Secret Santa gift basket ideas.

Feel free also to follow me on my social media pages – Pinterest and Instagram or subscribe to my mailing list for other design inspiration and home decor ideas.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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