How to make a Christmas wreath
26 November 2018 / Lifestyle / Garden /
There are few things more welcoming than a Christmas wreath and there’s something satisfying about a homemade one. Not only can you create your own style, but it’s one-of-a-kind and a great way to make the most of what’s in the garden.
Making your own wreath is a wonderfully festive activity and the perfect way to get stuck into the Christmas spirit. Our deputy head gardener, Natasha Geldenhuys, has shared her beginner’s guide on how to make your own. She previously created The Grove’s wreaths when she worked for McQueen’s Florists, so she knows a thing or two about the art of wreath making!
So put on your jolliest festive tunes, grab yourself a glass of Bailey’s and kick off December with a homemade wreath to proudly hang on your door.
Step one: Gather your materials
You will need:
- One wire wreath ring, to your size preference. This can be bought online or at a craft shop.
- Floristry wire. A 45m roll will be plenty. This can be bought online or at a craft shop.
- Moss. You’ll need enough to cover your wreath ring (see images below). You can buy hanging basket moss from a florist, or collect it when renovating your lawn in the autumn months.
- Approximately five different types of foliage and decorations. This will depend on what you like and what you have in your garden. Examples include ivy, hydrangea heads, herbs, pine cones, twigs and rose hips.
Top tip
Ahead of making your wreath, pre-cut all your foliage to a similar length (between 20cm – 30cm) so that everything is prepared when you get to the assembly stage.
Step two: Attach the moss
This will form the base of your wreath. Attach the floristry wire by looping it around the wreath ring and twisting it until it’s secure. Take handfuls of moss, mould them into sausage shapes and place them on the ring one at a time, winding the wire around it in one direction as you go. Be generous with the moss – your ring should look nice and full by the time you’ve finished.
Once the ring is full, cut the wire and secure it by twisting it around the wreath ring.
Step three: Create a loop to hang the wreath
It’s very important to do this before you add your foliage, otherwise it will be tricky.
Cut a section of wire and use this to create a loop. Attach it by feeding it through the ring and twisting it until it’s secure. You could also choose to use ribbon or string, depending on the look you are going for.
Step four: Add your foliage
Now your base is ready, it’s time to add the detail. Reattach your wire, and begin adding the foliage. Take one piece at a time, and tightly wind the wire around it as you did with the moss. Alternating the foliage, continue to add pieces until you have filled out the whole ring.
Once you reach the end, you will have a section that looks a little bare. You can cover this up by filling it with a bow, pine cones or more foliage.
Top tip
If you are using standout focal items (e.g. pine cones or big flowers), I always suggest doing this in odd numbers to make it look as aesthetically pleasing as possible.
Ta da – and there you have it – your very own, handmade wreath created in your own unique style to compliment your festive decor theme this Christmas. But if you’d rather admire the wreaths here at The Grove, we still have a handful of bedrooms available over Christmas. Click here to find out more.
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