Last year during the holidays my most asked question was ‘How do you make a Christmas wreath?”. This year I thought I would add to my wreath making madness and share a tutorial how you can make a Traditional Christmas Wreath. Making your own natural wreath is a great and inexpensive way to add to your outdoor Christmas decorations.
To start you will need to gather a few Christmas wreath supplies
- Wreath ring (the coat hanger is for making a swag, see this tutorial). I can get my rings from a Christmas tree farm, but if you can’t find a basic flat ring, one from Michaels will do.
- Balsam Fir, approx 25- 24″ branches
- Pine, Cedar, holly clippings *optional for embellishment
- Garden pruners
- Floral wire
- Wire snippers
- Decorations/ floral picks
- Floral sticks (cut skewers work too)
- Ribbon (Mine is May Arts Ribbon)
How to make a traditional Christmas Wreath
1.) After you have scoured the woods for the perfect fir brush you are going to need to clip it down to wreath size pieces.
2.) The photo above shows how I would snip the ‘arms’ off, discarding the main branch. You will need to used approximately 25 large branches to complete a 14″ Christmas wreath.
3.) Secure the floral wire to the metal ring.
4.)Make a small bunch of brush about 3-4 pieces. Starting with a large piece in the back, and layer on smaller pieces.
5.) Twist the wire around the cut ends of the brush to secure it to the ring.
6.) Make a another bunch of brush. Lay the second bunch on top of the first, slightly lower.
7.) Wrap with wire 2-3 times around and pull the wire spool tight towards you to secure. The arrows are indicating where I have wrapped with wire.
8.) Repeat these steps, adding bunch by bunch until you reach back where you began the wreath.
9.) Lift up the ends of the first bunch of brush you started with and poke the final bunch in under the tips, wrap with wire to secure.
10.) To complete the Christmas wreath make a loop with the wire for easy hanging, and twist loose end around the wire frame.
11.) Now that your wreath is complete, use the pruners to snip back any pieces on brush that appear too long or out of place.
12.) Decorate your Natural Christmas wreath as desired
Below are a few Christmas wreath decorating ideas
You can use toothpicks or skewers wrapped with a small piece of wire to poke the decorations right into the greenery.
I love making wreaths it is the perfect way to start of the holidays. A fresh wreath will last in the cold weather all winter long! (it will likely last right up to spring, say if you forget about them… not that I would ever do that, just sayin’)
I love experimenting with all kinds of wreath arrangements. Here I added an oversized May Arts Ribbon 4″ Burlap bow, and some plastic deer I glittered from the dollar store.
You may remember this wreath from my Outdoor Christmas JOY sign
Be sure to check out this wreath in MERRY MAG
I hope you enjoy making Christmas wreaths as much as I do.
Swing by and learn how to easily make a Christmas Swag
Looking for more inspiration? Check out my wreath boards on Pinterest
Follow Virginia | Fynes Designs ‘s board Wreaths on Pinterest.
Such a great tutorial Virginia!! I absolutely CAN’T WAIT to make my very own using your tips and tricks! 🙂
Since it’s a natural wreath.. it will stay ”nice” how long?
Beautiful! No need to take a class when I have this great tutorial! Thanks for sharing, Virginia!
I have only ever done swags…I will have to try this. Thanks for the tutorial Virginia!! Pinned:)
THANKS Krista!
This wreath is soooo pretty and would go great with my new linky party starting this Saturday at 8pm called “Found & Foraged” I hope you come to share! Can’t wait to party with you at http://www.houseofhipsters.com
Love it! Wish we had evergreens in Texas like we did in Oregon!
We’re really fortunate that we have so many trees. My house actually is sitting on an old Christmas Tree farm! Thanks for visiting!
Hi there, your wreaths look really lovely, Ive had a go at making some myself but found that the berries especially dont last very long. Do you have any types on how to perserve these natural. And how long do you find yours lasts for? Many thanks (from Wales)
Hi Catherine. The berries typically last throughout the winter here, because it is very cold in Canada. I typically use holly berries, but when not cold they tend to turn more of a deep red, rather than vibrant like when they are fresh cut
Hi Virginia!!! I just wanted to ask if I can make this wreath following the same directions but using artificial pine boughs instead of real boughs. I have lots of 18 inch boughs; nice FULL ones and want to make some wreaths to sell.
That would be a fabulous idea!! I would love to see them when you’re done!