Whether on front door or over a mantel, few things communicate the holidays better than a new wreath. Tracy Goldman of Sabellico’s Florist breaks down the process of making a wreath of mixed greenery into eight simple steps, ideal for beginners. Follow along to produce your very own new front door adornment.
More DIY wreaths
Rikki Snyder
Mixing common lemon leaves, available year round, with seasonal greens like huckleberry, incense cedar and boxwood creates a textured look that is just right for this time of year. Vibrant red Ilex berries add just the right pinch of color.
Rikki Snyder
To create this wreath, you may need greens and berries for example:
Lemon leavesHuckleberryIncense cedarBoxwoodIlex berriesYou may find these in your neighborhood florist; five to 10 stems of each ought to be enough for one wreath.
Additional materials and tools:
8-inch metal cable wreath, clamp-style form (available at a crafts shop or florist)Stapler1 1/2 yards of 2-inch-wide ribbon ScissorsPruning shearsGardening glovesHammer
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1. Lay your alloy wreath form flat and layer the lemon leaf stems in first for a sturdy base. Trim the ends of each piece.
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Twist the greens between the built-in clamps, with a generous amount for the base of your wreath, fanning the leaves into the outside around the whole frame.
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2. Insert a layer of huckleberry greens. Utilize garden shears to trim the pieces to your desired size.
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Use one generous piece of this huckleberry for every clamp. This may add some nice texture without overpowering your own design. Continue all of the way around the wreath.
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3. Cedar is prickly, so you might choose to use gardening gloves for this step. Trim the plaster into bits and set the pieces around the wreath inside every clamp. Feel free to play amounts to receive your desired look. Cedar adds a nice seasonal look, and the odor is fantastic.
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4. Divide the boxwood nto pieces, beginning with larger tufts and then moving on to bigger ones.
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Tuck the boxwood more toward the middle of the wreath form to fill it in. Use the larger tufts first, then use the smaller pieces to fill in any gaps.
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5. Choose your reddish Ilex berries for long-lasting, festive color.
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Trim the berries and twigs to about the span shown here.
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6. Carefully place a little branch of berries in each clamp. They are sometimes fragile, so take extra care when working together.
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Your wreath should begin to take form and seem like this as you add all of the greens and berries.
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7. Feel throughout the greens to obtain each clamp and then bend both pieces together. Use a hammer for any clamps which are more challenging to close. Make sure all the greens are in place before shutting the clamps, so nothing falls out. Tuck in additional greenery as required to cover the clamps.
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8. Cut approximately 1 1/2 yards of ribbon for the hanger.
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Wrap the 2 ends of the ribbon around the frame a few inches apart from each other.
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Staple every single ribbon end with each other to secure the ribbon into the frame.
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Cut the ribbon in half at the top of the loop and tie a bow using the 2 ends. (View the first image for the final result.)
Rikki Snyder
This wreath will create the perfect greeting on front door. Be sure to take it inside during any storms to keep it in great shape throughout the holidays.
More wreath DIYs:
The best way to make a wonderfully twiggy All-natural wreath
The best way to make a eucalyptus and juniper wreath