One of the many things I love about living in the Pacific Northwest is being able to find greens for holiday decorating right in my own garden.
An Easy DIY Christmas Wreath
It’s fun to make your own wreath, and it’s easier than it looks.
Where to Find The Greens
Often you can get free scraps of evergreen branches where Christmas trees are sold. If you want more variety in your wreath, some nurseries also sell boughs of assorted evergreens and berries.
But I check my garden first for evergreen branches, berries, pinecones, and interesting mosses.
If you don’t have a garden, ask a neighbor or friend with one if they can spare a few cuttings. If you don’t live in an area with evergreens, can you find other local greens or natural elements that would make an interesting wreath?
Materials and Supplies
To start with, you just need a wreath form, florist wire (found at craft stores), wire cutters, greens, and garden pruners. Once your wreath starts to take shape, you will get a good sense of what other kinds of decorations you might want to add.
Let’s Get Started
There are many ways to construct a wreath, and this is just my method. I like to use drapey greens that hang nicely on either side of the wreath and meet at the bottom.
Cut the greens into about six-inch lengths and bundle them, at the cut ends, into small handfuls using the wire.

Securely attach the bundles to the wreath form at the cut ends using more wire.
Start at the bottom and work your way up, overlapping the greens you are adding over the ones already secured so that you are always hiding the wire from the previous bundle. The wired cut ends should be up and the uncut loose ends pointing down.
Work your way to the top in this manner and then start again at the bottom and cover the other side, working your way up.
At the top, you will wind up with some wire showing, and this is a good place to put a bow or other decoration that covers those wires.
You can make your wreath as dense or as loose as you like, and with the wire you can add your other decorative elements.
My Wreath
This year I’m craving decorations that look natural and unpretentious, and it shows in my wreath.
One of these days I will make a wreath that is actually round and symmetrical. But I just love a drapey, whimsical wreath. I added large pinecones and longer greens at the bottom.
Small gold bells on wires are the only touch of glamour. Now the wreath jingles softly as the door is opened.
A Simple Garland
With a branch of the leftover greens, I made this garland.
Right now I have a crush on these little white bells on jute twine, and I’ve been looking for ways to use them.
I tried them on the wreath, but they didn’t look right. So making a wreath does involve a little experimentation, but that is all part of the fun.
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Sources
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I used my Fiskars Pruners for cutting the greens because they are very easy on my hands. They are a great gift for any gardener, in fact these are going to someone on my Christmas list this year!
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Love the shape of your wreath and the mix of small and larger cones is very nice. Have it on my “to do list” to make a wreath this year…saved a wire candy cane and round frame from last year. I live in the country so I have an assortment of greens out my back door. Best ~ Mickie
Hi, Mickie, thanks for stopping by my blog. I’m sure your wreath will be wonderful with all the greens you have available to you!
Love your wreath in that you did not make it round. The drape, the large pine cones and the looseness appeals to me. Found you at Vintage Charm.
Happy Christmas.
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
Audrey, thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas too!
I was going to buy a live wreath for my door, but I have a form and my fil has lots of greens. Think I’ll give it a try! Thanks for sharing with SYC. Love it!
hugs,
Jann
Jann, I’m sure your wreath with be wonderful. Hope we get to see a photo! Thanks for hosting SYC – I always enjoy it.
Love that your wreath has an organic shape. Fresh wreaths are the best. Thank you so much for sharing at Vintage Charm!
I love the shape and texture of your fresh wreath Heidi. Thank you for sharing it at Shabbilicious Friday. I’m delighted to be featuring it at tomorrow’s party.
Kerryanne, that is wonderful. I’m so happy you enjoyed the wreath, and thanks for featuring it!