Make Your Own Holiday Wreath!

With Thanksgiving behind us and the holiday season in full force, I thought it would be fun to share with you how to make a stress free naturally beautiful wreath for your home.   Really, is there anything better than fresh holiday greens from the way they look to the way they smell?   

Last Thursday, we had a fun workshop in West Des Moines where our participants were able to create a one-of-a-kind handcrafted wreath from a variety of fresh greens, branches and berries.  The results were unique and fabulous!   And here is how you can make one of these natural beauties for your own home.    Not only is it a fun way to get your creative on, but it's a great activity for kids, parents and grandparents on a cold winter day.

You will only need a few simple things.   The long needled and bendable White Pine is a great choice for the base of a wreath.   It tends to be easy to work with as the first layer that will be secured to a metal wreath frame (available at local craft stores including Michaels.)  You will also want to find a few other greens to work with such as Balsam Fir, Seeded Eucalyptus, Juniper, Cedar and Red Berries.   And make sure you have on hand floral wire and clippers!

The first step is to start wrapping a metal frame with fresh greens.   Keep in mind this wreath is not meant to be perfect, instead a free form and natural expression of beauty.     There are NO mistakes!

As you wrap the pine base around the metal frame, use your floral wire to keep your cuttings in place.   Twist the wire through your cuttings and secure to the metal frame.      Once you have wrapped pine around the entire frame, hold it up and trim anything that seems bulky or you just don't like.   

Next, select another variety of greens (above is seeded eucalyptus) and begin to wire it into the wreath working counter clockwise and overlapping two to three bundles of the same material.   You will repeat this step with Juniper, Cedar, Balsam Fir, Berries or whatever other fresh material that you have on hand until you make it all around the wreath.

We love this natural look which features all of the fresh varieties that are available this season making a no-fuss, great smelling and great looking wreath!  

For our wreath making event, we provided all of the fixings for each of our participants to make their own interpretation of our wreath.    We created the first layer (with White Pine) and it was up to each person to choose the additional layers that would grace their own special wreath.

Rachel, our fabulous floral designer, gave workshop participants all the instructions and tools that were needed to get started on a fun evening of wreath making.     

Everyone began working away on their own wreath and they were all a bit different.    For even those who felt they didn't have a creative bone in their body, this was a project that reached their inner creative zen and dreams of floral designing.  

A few of our participants proudly displayed their nights effort!    

As we sent each person home with a wreath, we reminded them of the last few instructions for the evening.   First,  to help preserve the wreath simply mist it with a little water every day or so to keep it fresh and fragrant through the season.    And second, to have the merriest December and the happiest New Year.   

We hope to see you all through the next days of this month whether you are looking for some holiday inspiration for your table or home, a unique gift, a great holiday outfit or to simply come to say 'hello.'