In this post, you will see how to make a Christmas wreath.

If you want to make a natural wreath for your front door or dining room full of fresh greens and Christmas cheer, then this tutorial is perfect for you!

You only need a few items to get started; most are cheap.

The Christmas season is not complete without DIY Christmas decorations.

How To Make A Christmas Wreath Homemade DIY

Make A Christmas Wreath From Natural Greens

Every year, I like to make different Christmas wreaths, as part of my Christmas decorations that involve different materials.

One year, I made a pom-pom wreath from yarns left in my stash, and last year, I made a door wreath from dried fruits, plants, and flowers.

But this holiday season, I wanted to make a natural wreath with fresh greenery I had collected.

The best part about making this was that it cost little to assemble.

How Can I Make A Wreath?

This Christmas wreath is perfect if you are on a budget, as you can collect different greens from what you can gather around you.

The total time it took me to make the wreath was around 30 minutes.

I collected the fresh greens I needed when I was out walking my dog and cut lots of foliage from overgrown bushes and trees that we pass daily.

You can also buy the greens you need from a local florist if you can’t collect from the area around you.

After that, you need a few other simple materials (and some used in crafts), and then you can get started!

You can find items like the hot glue gun, thin wire, and twine from craft stores like Hobby Lobby.

Other decorative items can be found in natural items or a dollar store.

DIY Christmas wreath — Make a fresh wreath for the festive season

What Do You Need To Make A Christmas Wreath?

Here is a list of the materials that you will need:

Lots of greenery – Green foliage (like eucalyptus, pine, moss, magnolia leaves, etc.)
A wreath frame/wreath ring of any size, like – a willow wreath, grapevine wreath, or straw wreath.
Thin wire – (for jewelry making or floral wire/florist wire)
Pliers to cut the wire or wire cutters
Pruners
Gloves (strong gloves/gardening gloves to protect your hands from the wire – if you need them)
Twine
Scissors
Berries, twigs, pine cones, ribbons, and yarn to make pom-poms (these are all optional).
You could even add in mini Christmas ornaments for a pop of color.
If you are adding decorative items, you will also need a hot glue gun.

Video Tutorial

A video tutorial in this post below shows you how the wreath was created.

You can also watch it on my YouTube channel here.

Time needed: 2 hours and 30 minutes

How To Make A Christmas Wreath Step By Step

Step 1
Get together all of the green foliage you have collected, along with all of the materials and anything else that you want to use.
For this tutorial, I collected a range of greens from local shrubs and trees that included holly, cedar, and mastic.
But any of the following would work – yew, pine, fir, cypress and you can mix in other leaves, twigs, and red berries that you find.
It would also be a good idea to add some cinnamon sticks or herbs to give the wreath a nice Christmas aroma.
Step 2
Tie a length of twine onto your willow wreath – this is to hang your wreath when finished.
Then select a branch to start with and cut it to a smaller size.
You want to choose something to use as a good base with lots of leaves.
Step 3
Start to add other cuttings from your collection of greens.
Put a small bunch together in your hand, maybe two or three pieces together.
Then get your wire (I used a thin, soft wire that is used for jewelry making but you can use florist wire) and secure it around the wreath.
Trim the wire with your pliers, and bend, tuck in the excess ends of the wire.
If you don’t have any wire, you can substitute this with twine, but the wire is stronger and easy to use.
Step 4
Continue to cut the greenery and overlap them onto the greens you have already secured to the wreath.
Then using the wire (or twine) secure them into place.
Trim the wire with your pliers and bend, tuck in the excess.
Step 5
Continue to add the green foliage to the wreath, repeating the process of step 4.
Turn the wreath as you work.
You will soon see the wreath start to fill out.
When there are no more gaps to fill, secure the final greens into place.
If you can see any wire or twine, take smaller branches and weave them into the wreath to hide this.
You can then start to fill it out more by adding in extra foliage where needed.
Step 6
You can now add in pine cones, berries, or pom poms to finish it off!
Step 7
Hang it up and enjoy it, spreading that holiday cheer – or gift it to someone as a surprise!
Whichever materials you decide to make your holiday decor wreath with, have fun and make it as neat or as wild as you want!
Add in different materials and make it a festive treat for your guests to see.
I hope you have some inspiration now to go and get started on your own DIY wreath.

Can I Put Lights On A Real Wreath?

Yes, you can!

You can secure the lights to your homemade wreath with florist wire or zip ties.

Make sure to hide the ends in the back somewhere to make it look tidy.

If you have a string of lights with a battery pack, you can weave them in and out of the greenery, securing the battery pack in the wreath opening and hiding it with greenery.

You can also secure this into place with florist wire so it does not fall off.

Is It Cheaper To Make Your Own Christmas Wreath?

Making your own Christmas wreath can often be more cost-effective than purchasing one, especially if you can access natural materials or crafting supplies.

Here’s why:

Cost Factors:

1. Materials:

Natural Materials: If you can gather greenery, pine cones, branches, or other natural elements from your garden or local surroundings, it significantly reduces costs. You can add oranges or dried orange slices for decoration.
Crafting Supplies: Buying wreath forms, wires, ribbon, or decorative items can still be cost-effective when purchased in bulk or reused for multiple wreaths.

2. Customization:

Making your own wreath allows for customization. You can personalize it with specific colors, themes, or styles without the premium costs associated with designer wreaths.

3. Long-Term Use:

While the initial investment might involve buying crafting supplies, these items can be reused for multiple wreaths or other DIY projects, making them cost-efficient in the long run.

4. Personal Value:

Handcrafted items often hold sentimental value, outweighing any savings from buying a pre-made wreath.

Cost-Saving Tips:

Use Natural Materials: Gather pine branches, holly, berries, or other greenery from your surroundings.
Repurpose Materials: Reuse items from previous wreaths or repurpose household items like ribbons, ornaments, or decorative elements.
DIY Tools: Invest in basic tools and wreath-making kits to create multiple wreaths over time, reducing per-wreath costs.

While making your own Christmas wreath can save money, the actual cost depends on the materials used, your access to free or inexpensive supplies, and whether you have reusable crafting tools.

Additionally, the value of the DIY experience and the satisfaction of creating something unique often add to the overall appeal of making your own wreath for the holidays.

How Do You Attach Ornaments To A Wreath?

Attaching ornaments to a wreath can be done in various ways, depending on the type of wreath and the ornaments you’re using.

Here are some methods you can try:

1. Wire or Floral Picks:

For Artificial Wreaths: Use floral wire to attach ornaments. Wrap the wire around the ornament’s hook or loop and secure it to the wreath frame.
For Natural Wreaths: Use floral picks or wire to attach ornaments by poking the picks into the greenery or twisting wire around branches.

2. Hot Glue Gun:

Apply a small amount of hot glue to the ornament’s back or loop and press it onto the wreath. Be cautious with this method, as hot glue might damage some surfaces or ornaments.

3. Ribbon or String:

Tie ribbons or strings through the ornament loops and secure them to the wreath frame by tying them around branches or using knots.

4. Ornament Hooks or Hangers:

Some ornaments come with hooks or hangers. Simply hook these onto the branches or frame of the wreath.

Tips:

Distribute ornaments evenly around the wreath for a balanced look.
Hang larger or heavier ornaments securely, ensuring they’re well-attached to prevent them from falling off.
Layer ornaments by placing larger ones at the back and smaller ones at the front to create depth and visual interest.

Choose a method that suits your wreath type and the ornaments you use.

Experiment with placement and arrangements to achieve the desired look for your festive wreath!

Free Knitting Patterns For Christmas

Share your work with us…

I love seeing your finished projects!

If you enjoyed making the homemade DIY wreath, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.

I’d love to see your work!

How To Make A Christmas Wreath (Easy Homemade DIY)