I like to use natural materials when I can find them. For this wreath, I chose cedar branches because cedar is in abundance where I live, and I added juniper berries for a nice touch. As an added bonus, using real cedar or pine branches will make your wreath and front entrance smell wonderful.
Before you get started, you’ll want to grab a pair of gardening gloves because the materials can be prickly.
Materials List
• 10 to 15 cedar, fir or pine branches, 2 to 3 feet long
• Wire cutters
• Floral wire
• Needle-nose pliers
• Several shorter cedar, fir or pine branches, 6 to 12 inches long
• Burlap ribbon
• Safety pins
• Colored ribbon
• Pinecones
• Twine
• Bells or other ornaments
Instructions
1. Start with your longest branches, and lay them out on a work surface, forming a circle about 3 feet in diameter. Using wire cutters, cut several pieces of floral wire about 4 inches long. Take your wire pieces and begin wrapping the branches tightly every 3 inches or so, wrapping only the woody stems, leaving as much of the foliage out to give the wreath more volume. Using a pair of needle-nose pliers, twist the wire ends together at the back of the wreath so it can’t be seen when you are looking at it from the front. Continue wrapping the branches, cutting more pieces of floral wire as needed.
2. Once you have the long branches arranged and fastened together in a neat circle, take the shorter branches and begin filling in the sparse or bare areas of your wreath. Use floral wire to connect the shorter foliage, and tuck in any strays.
3. When you’re finished arranging the branches how you like them, it might make it easier to work on your wreath with it hanging up. You can either hang it from a hook or make a loop out of floral wire to hang on a nail.
4. Starting at the top of the wreath, wrap the burlap ribbon around the foliage, leaving several inches of space between each pass. When you’ve wrapped the whole wreath and reach the top again, safety pin the ends together at the back of the wreath. Now do the same thing with the colored ribbon, starting at the top again, but wrapping in the opposite direction of the burlap ribbon. When you’re finished, attach the ends with a safety pin at the back of the wreath.
5. Wrapping the ribbons in opposite directions will give you an appealing criss-cross pattern with your ribbons. However, feel free to wrap both ribbons in the same direction if you like that look better.
6. Lastly, attach pieces of twine to the ends of your pinecones, and then gently tie them onto your wreath in several places. Now do the same thing with the bells or other ornaments. Don’t add too many, or you’ll take away from the foliage.
Note: If you want to light your wreath, wrap battery-powered, miniature lights around the wreath before adding the ribbons. Be sure to get lights for outdoor use if your wreath will be hanging outside.
Want more rustic holiday decoration ideas? Read DIY Holiday Decorations With Rustic Charms to get more great holiday décor.
Kellsey Trimble is Web Editor/Assistant Editor for GRIT magazine. She spends most of her spare time reading, cycling with friends, or planning her next adventure.
