How to make a Christmas wreath

Learning how to make a Christmas wreath is really quite satisfying – it's easy to do with the right kit, and you can even use foliage from your garden to boost your wreath-making. 

A Christmas wreath adorning your front door is a wonderful way to make your home feel instantly more festive and cheerful. There’s also nothing quite as special as making your own Christmas wreath to reflect your personal style. Whether you prefer a minimalist Scandi look, a more textured layered style or like using lots of color, the beauty of creating your own fresh wreath is that you can play around with the design to create something unique that both looks and smells amazing. 

Here, Larry Walshe, celebrity London florist and founder of Bloom, shows us how to make a traditional Christmas wreath in this step by step guide.

'Nothing makes a statement quite like a fresh, full and abundant wreath adorning your front door in the cold winter. They captivate your senses every time you’re near – the look, the feel, the intoxicating scent – they’re full of the magic we crave during the dark, winter months,' says Larry.

'And they’re so personal. No two wreaths are ever the same and so they provide the perfect opportunity to make a personal statement, whether that’s flamboyance, luxury, Scandi cool or something more delicate and understated. Pick a style which best represents your home, values, preferred color palette, the neighborhood, and the level of impact you’re looking for.

'Beyond the basic steps, there are a few useful tips to take on board when designing your own wreath, but the most important thing is to get creative and have fun playing with textures and scents. And if in doubt, our simple rule of thumb is the bigger, the better.'

Keep scrolling for instructions and tips – and see our Christmas wreath ideas for more beautiful inspiration for adorning your door.

How to make a Christmas wreath

You will need:

• A moss ring
• A good pair of scissors or secateurs
• Twine and floristry wires
• Design elements (e.g. spruce, natural greenery, baubles, dried fruits, peacock feathers, natural pinecones, lichen branches) 

Method:

1. Start by cutting down your spruce and foliage.

2. Tie your twine onto the moss wreath ring – use manageable lengths and keep knotting on extra lengths of twine as required.

3. Bind your foliage onto the moss wreath ring – if you have a glass door or plan to hang your wreath in the window, make sure to dress the back of your wreath too to ensure no glimpses of an unsightly moss ring. Move in a clockwise motion to ensure all foliage faces the same direction. 

4. Use an even mix of your spruce and foliage to create a balanced design – the larger the lengths of foliage, the larger the wreath you will create. For a neat and compact look, use shorter pieces. For a wild and more open design, use longer stems.

5. Flip your wreath over and knot off your twine.

6. Wire your decorations (e.g. pinecones, dried fruits, baubles) by twisting wire around the items tightly, leaving a 15cm wire stem.

7. Pierce these through the wreath ring and fold the excess wire back on itself and into the moss base to ensure there are no sharp edges.

8. Snap any twigs into smaller pieces.

9. Add in any extra florals and/or twigs, making sure these are securely tucked into the wreath ring, continuing until your wreath is complete.

• See more: Christmas foliage ideas – decorating ideas with greenery

Wreath-making tips 

Now you know how to make a Christmas wreath, here is Larry Walshe's essential advice for making your wreath really, really special.

Check your door width and gather the essentials

Firstly, check the width of your front door to ensure your wreath is the perfect size – about 13in to 16in is usually more than ample to create a fabulous impact without getting in the way of the function of the door.

Consider your scheme

For a luxurious wreath, it’s best to work tonally – different textures of the same color work well to add depth and interest whilst ensuring the overall look is tasteful and sophisticated.

For a bolder wreath, consider complementary color schemes; choosing opposing hues from a colour wheel will create a little more impact. Think sumptuous golds with deep blues or timeless red and green with woodland inspired browns and balanced with snow inspired whites for an effortless, natural look.

Gather extra design elements

Consider whether you want to add any other design elements such as baubles. These can create a strong burst of color and impact – perfect if you want your wreath to really make a statement. 

If you’re after continuity with your festive decorations, opt for baubles that match the decorations on your tree, but if you’re after something a bit more individual, there’s nothing stopping you from incorporating a rainbow of different colored baubles in your wreath. 

Similarly, if you have any broken Christmas tree decorations, you can love them once again by adding them to your wreath design for a really personal touch.

Choose a foliage base and scent

There is nothing finer than a fresh wreath – fragrant Nordmann Fir Spruce is a popular base for most wreaths. Combine this with Berried Ivy, Conifer and Berried Eucalyptus to help conjure the spirit of the season every time you walk through your door.

Add texture

Dried ingredients are wonderfully textural and can work to enhance a scheme which is both style savvy and creative. Dried fruits are a firm favorite for good reason; the color and the scent add a real punch. Similarly, bundles of cinnamon or bunches of dried lavender are wonderful scented additions. Remember – you’re designing with your eyes and your nose.

Forage!

If you’re lucky enough to live near a woodland or green space, spend some time foraging for natural items to include. Anything native to your home environment not only makes for a wonderfully unique design, but working with the local flora and fauna will result in an even more meaningful wreath - think pinecones, branches with lichen, feathers, and red berries.

Let your creativity flow 

If you love the texture of an ingredient but it’s not going to work with your color scheme, why not paint it?

Add finishing touches

It’s Christmas, so don’t be shy about making a statement with the finishing touches. Adding a large bow is a lovely way to finish your design – you can either match it to the colors in the wreath or choose a complementary, opposing color for a bigger impact.

If you don’t have any sustainable ribbon or you prefer a more understated design, opt for a classic wreath sans ribbon and let all your wonderful, natural ingredients do the talking.

How to keep your wreath fresh

Make sure to lightly spritz your wreath every two to three days with an atomizer of fresh water to keep the fresh elements looking luscious.

If you’ve loved the creative process and the way your artwork looks on the door, it’s worth remembering that a wreath is not just for Christmas… You can impress visitors and neighbors throughout the year with seasonal variations. Think tulips or peonies in spring, sunflowers in summer, hydrangeas and dried leaves in autumn. You can also theme your wreaths with annual events such as Easter or Halloween. The options are endless!

For more information, or to buy your own Christmas Wreath or DIY Kit, visit Bloom.