How to make a Christmas wreath

Making your own festive wreath is one of our favourite Christmas decoration projects. Our step-by-step guide will help you create the perfect base, which you can then customise to make something that perfectly matches your style. Homemade wreaths not only rewarding to make, they’re also are a great way to make use of locally available seasonal plants and any extra branches that need trimming from your tree. They’re often more budget-friendly and sustainable than their shop-bought alternatives, as well as offering a mindful break from the busy season, whether you choose to make yours alone or with friends and family. It also makes a great personal gift for loved ones.

For more creative festive ideas, take a look at more of our Christmas gift ideas and recipes. As well as making your own door decoration, check out our edible wreath recipes, homemade Christmas decorations and our top 10 DIY Christmas crafts to enjoy this year.

What you'll need to make a Christmas wreath

• Wire wreath or rattan base
• Scissors, floristry snips or secateurs
• String or floristry wire
• Moss (ideally sustainably harvested)
• Evergreen plants (ivy, bay, spruce, pine, conifers and holly work well)
• Seasonal flowers and berries (poinsettia, hellebores and chrysanthemums)
• Adornments that fit your style (e.g. pinecones, bells, cinnamon sticks, glitter spray, dried orange slices)
• Ribbon

Method for creating a homemade Christmas wreath

Follow our simple guide to create your simple base design, before adding your own festive touches to customise to your taste.

1. Prepare your wreath base

Secure one end of your floristry wire to your base by twisting it around tightly. Take a handful of moss and pack it on top of that part of the base, then wrap the wire around the moss tightly to secure. Continue around until the base is evenly covered. Secure the wire to the base then cut off any extra.

2. Gather and trim foliage

Sort your foliage, then trim each piece to around 15cm in length. For your spruce, try to keep pieces with several fronds to give your greenery a full and lush base to build upon.

3. Attach spruce to your base

Gather a piece or two of spruce dense enough to cover your moss, then use wire to secure to the base. Continue working around the wreath, layering your pieces as you go to cover the moss fully. If needed, trim any longer pieces that may stick out.

4. Add in other foliage

Once you’re happy with your base, start to work in other foliage by poking it through the spruce into the moss. To create a natural, layered look, start with more statement foliage with variegated leaves, holly and berries, then work in more delicate leaves such as ivy on top. Poking the stems into the moss helps retain moisture to keep your foliage fresh and vibrant for longer.

5. Attach ribbon

Pick up your wreath to ensure all foliage is secure, then work out where you want the top of your wreath to be. Cut a length of ribbon to twice your desired length, then tie it securely around the top section of the wire base, leaving a loop for hanging.

6. Final touches

Add any final touches that reflect your personal style. We used pinecones, but you can also add dried oranges, glitter spray, bows, cinnamon sticks and more. Now that your wreath is ready to display, hang it on your door. To help your wreath stay fresh, be sure to mist it every few days. Should any plants start to fade, simply replace as needed. After the holiday season, keep the base, ribbon and any non-biodegradable items for the following year, and compost any remaining foliage.

Christmas wreath decorating ideas

Bauble Christmas wreath

Reuse spare baubles to create this traditional wreath that perfectly matches your existing decor. Keep this looking interesting by varying the colours, textures and shapes of your adornments.

Dried Christmas wreath

This eye-catching wreath is a fantastic alternative if you’re unable to source fresh foliage. Pine cones, dried berries and cinnamon sticks are wrapped around a rattan base to create a decoration you can use year after year.

Asymmetric Christmas wreath

Make your base a feature in itself by covering just one side of your wreath with foliage to create a modern, eye-catching look.

Eucalyptus Christmas wreath

The blue tones of eucalyptus can make a traditional wreath stand out against strong door colours. Combine with vibrant crab-apples to make this combination pop even more throughout the festive season.

Mistletoe Christmas wreath

Traditional mistletoe decorations get an upgrade with this wreath. Combine with frothy conifer branches and a waxy, shiny leaf such as bay to create this timeless design.

Hydrangea Christmas wreath

Add some dimension with glorious dried hydrangeas for a warm-toned look. Mix in some gold-sprayed leaves and ornaments to create a cosy, classy decoration that catches the light.

Minimalist Christmas wreath

In a case of less is more, olive branches twisted around each other and secured with floristry wire create a contemporary look that pops against pale backdrops.

Discover more fun festive projects and decoration ideas

Christmas crafts for kids
How to make salt dough Christmas decorations
How to style a Christmas table
Christmas baking projects for kids