Dec 16, 2021

A Foliage Wreath for Christmas

Creating a wreath is a centuries old Christmas tradition to bring seasonal decoration to the home. Whilst wreaths can be hung upon the front door to evoke the warmest of welcomes, these natural accents also make a beautiful focal point inside the home too. Whether hung above a bed or fireplace or used on the dining table with a candle nestled inside as a festive centrepiece, wreaths add a simple, natural feel to a space.

Starting the season with a walk in the outdoors to gather foliage and natural materials for a wreath with a trusty basket and secateurs in hand, nurtures our connection to the natural world. Adding nature’s beauty in to our home and creating with intention brings creativity into the preparations and can help still the mind amongst the busyness the festive time can bring. Forage in your local surroundings or visit a florist or market to gather materials if you do not have an abundance of greenery nearby.

The beauty of making a wreath is that almost anything goes and you can get creative with whatever materials you have to hand. There is no need for precision, keep it simple, embracing naturally cascading foliage for a whimsical, rustic feel to create an inviting and understated Christmas aesthetic.

Creating a natural wreath for your home:

Wreath base
Mixed seasonal foliage, dried flowers & seed heads
Secateurs
Florist wire or garden twine
Ribbon for hanging
Decorative materials to embellish if desired

Begin by sourcing or creating a ring base for your wreath. There are many different approaches from simply purchasing a twig or wire frame from a local craft shop or florist, to making your own circular structure by bending soft branches and securing with wire. Depending on your ring you can add a moss base before assembling greenery.
Gather a variety of greenery, flowers or other decorative elements combining a mixture of tones and textures.
Cut the pieces of greenery down and arrange in a bundle or fan shape, with shorter pieces on the inside and larger cuttings toward the outside.
Place the bundle on to the wreath and secure by winding wire around the foliage. You can choose to cut the wire as you go or leave attached as you move around the wreath.
Position the second bundle directly on top of the bind point of the wire from the previous bundle and repeat by gathering a mixture of foliage using different combinations, overlapping each bundle as you go. Continue until the wreath base is fully covered with an even distribution.
Weave in some final decorative touches such as flowers, dried seed heads, pine cones or winter berries if desired.

7. To finish, create a hanging loop using ribbon by securing to the back of the base and finish with a bow. A good ribbon can really elevate the look and feel of your wreath.

8. To help keep your wreath looking fresh over the festive season, spray with water every few days.