There’s nothing that gets me in the festive spirit more than decking out my home with Christmas decorations. Why not up the fun by making your own holiday wreath to welcome guests to your home? At this year’s The Fair with Flair (in support of The Christmas Fair Fund) Creative Workshop, I was able to get Cindy’s (from Love Laugh) step-by-step on how to create a wreath with gorgeous greenery.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- Metal ring with two circles (size depends on how big you want your wreath to be)
- Scissors/shears
- Bag of moss
- Twine
- 5 – 8 bouquets of plants, preferably long-lasting and driable (Cindy’s suggestions: eucalyptus (penny gum), Stoebe, common heather, fynbos, rosemary, geranium, olive and Craspedia)
- 1 larger flower/plant (Cindy’s suggestion: proteas) (optional)
- Florist tape
- Florist wire
- Decorative ribbon
- Dried oranges slices, cinnamon sticks, dried chillis or other dried decorations
- Glue gun (optional)
HOW TO MAKE YOUR WREATH
Step One: Create the Base
You’re going to start by flatly placing moss between the two circles on the metal ring and securing it by wrapping the twine tightly around it. If your twine ends, simply tie another piece to the end of it and continue. You can do two or three layers of moss, depending on how big you want the wreath to be.
Don’t worry about being too neat here – the ‘crazier’ the moss looks, the better. Additionally, don’t fret if you can see the twine within the moss – this will be covered! When the entire ring is generously covered, your base is complete.
Step Two: Bundle It Up
Now it’s time to create the plant bundles that will bring your wreath to life. Grab a few stems from your different bouquets and cut them so they are roughly 15 to 20 centimetres in length. Then, you’re going to take florist tape and wrap it around the end of the bundle a few times, tightly so that the stems won’t fall out.
This is a basic bundle, but you can spruce it up. Add your decorative ribbon by tying it around half the bundle do not cut the excess ribbon as this will hang from your wreath beautifully!). You can also add your dried decorative pieces and cinnamon sticks by tying them to the front of the bundle with florist wire. Again, do not cut off the excess wire, as you can attach the bundle to the metal ring with it.
You will need roughly 20 to 30 different bundles, depending on how ‘full’ you want your wreath to look. Be creative! Note: Cindy suggests making one ‘centre’ or bigger bundle with your larger plant.
Step Three: Your Wreath Takes Shape
Start with your larger or centre bundle (if you made one). Place it at the bottom of the wreath, with the end of the bundle facing towards the middle circle, at a diagonal angle (so the plant/flower faces out the side of the wreath). Secure the bundle by wrapping a piece of the twine around it and tying it behind the wreath.
Following the same direction as your centre bundle, you are going to place one of your smaller bundles right under it on the mossy base, with the end of the bundle facing towards the outer circle, so the ends of the two bundles almost criss-cross. Secure it with the twine (or florist wire if you used it.
Continue this with all the other bundles, following the same direction but alternating the angle at which the bundle is secured (with the end facing toward the middle or outer circle), until the wreath is fully covered. Note: You can also leave one-half of the wreath bare, with only the moss visible!
Step Four. The Final Touches
To finish it off, you can add more moss to bare spots, play around with the bundles so the twine is covered, and cut off excess pieces of twine. If you have a glue gun, you can also stick on extra dried orange slices.
Once your stunning, festive wreath is complete, tie a long piece of ribbon around the top of the wreath so you can hang it on your door!
And voila! You have a personally made natural wreath that will be loved by your family and friends the whole festive season.
@thechristmascountryfair
@lovelaughproteas
Words by Jordyn Trollip
