All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.

How to make a Christmas wreath

Create this beautiful winter wreath for your home with our Christmas wreath making workshop from the Flower Appreciation Society, including video guide and step-by-step tutorial

Try our magazines – get 6 issues from just £9.99!

Published: November 24, 2023 at 11:18 am

Make this the year you create your very own DIY decorations with our easy step-by-step guide to how to make a Christmas wreath from scratch.

Head to the woods to forage for foliage and all you'll need are a couple of basic supplies to make your own classic show-stopper to welcome friends to your home during the holiday season.

We'll talk you through all the Christmas wreath making basics and have included a video guide from us on the Gathered team, plus a step-by-step tutorial from The Flower Appreciation Society.

How-to-make-a-Christmas-wreath-image-credi-Hillary-Ungson

Can't find what you're looking for to make your wreath down in the woods?

Contact your local florist and they'll be able to help you source beautiful seasonal branches. Or if you're not able to get to a florist we've also included some handy links for where to find supplies online below too.

How-to-make-a-Christmas-wreath-step-by-step

Christmas wreath DIY – let's begin!

Ready to get stuck into wreath making for Christmas? here's what you need to know:

What do you need to make a Christmas wreath?

Good news! A walk in the woods can provide you with a wealth of foliage and supplies to make your own Christmas wreath.

Your local florist can help with the rest, and we've included some handy links to buy online if you're not able to get to the shops:

  • Wire frames are easy to work with and can be reused every year – buy now on Amazon
  • Eucalyptus has shimmery silver-green leaves – pick the real deal from the woods or try these Artificial Eucalyptus Leaves
  • Seed heads, like the ones below from a poppy plant, can be as beautiful as flowers. Forage to source them or try this pre-picked pack of Lotus Flower Heads.
  • Pine cones add focal points but keep them small. If you don't live near the woods, you can buy a pack from Amazon
  • Aromatic bay leaves add a lovely scent
  • Moss creates depth and retains moisture for your foliage
  • Nigella is also known as ‘Love in a mist’
  • Floristry scissors let you cut cleanly and accurately. We like these Botanical Scissors
  • Reel wire is so thin you won’t see it among your leaves – buy green florists wire on Amazon (£4.92)
  • Ribbon: Choose any colour of ribbon you like!
How to make a Christmas wreath step by step

How to make a Christmas wreath step-by-step

Learn how to make a wreath for Christmas using this simple guide…

You will need:

  • Wire wreath frame
  • Scissors (Floristry scissors or secateurs)
  • Ribbon (Medium/large thickness)
  • Moss
  • Foliage and pine (A selection of hardy foliage and pine (a mix of different shades of greens and textures works really well – here we’ve used eucalyptus and bay))
  • Decorations (We like to keep ours quite natural and green so we’ve used poppy heads, pine cones and nigella flower seed heads. You can also add cinnamon sticks, orange/lime slices, sprayed foliage or bells.)

Step 1

Want to know how to make a Christmas wreath? To begin, attach one end of the reel wire to your frame with a few twists.

How to make a Christmas wreath

Step 2

Secure bundles of bunched up moss to the frame by wrapping the reel wire around them. We use moss as it gives depth to the wreath – it will also provide moisture for the foliage you’ll be adding later.

How to make a Christmas wreath

Step 3

Continue adding bunches of moss until the whole frame is covered with an even distribution. Keep the reel wire attached to the wreath. Assemble small bundles of your mixed foliage and pine – it works best to keep larger bits of foliage and pine at the back of the bundle.

How to make a Christmas wreath

Step 4

Lay a bundle of foliage on the wreath and secure firmly using the reel wire. Add more bundles in the same direction, overlapping with the previous one.

How to make a Christmas wreath

Make an elegant ribbon wreath

If this fab wreath has got you feeling festive and ready for more, try this beautiful how to make a ribbon wreath tutorial.

Step 5

Continue adding bundles of leaves until the frame is evenly covered. Cut the reel wire, leaving enough to secure at the back by twisting it around itself.

How to make a Christmas wreath

Step 6

Attach a ribbon by doubling it around your wreath underneath the foliage, leaving it long enough to attach to your door. It’s a good idea to hold up the wreath and look at the shape before you decide where to attach the ribbon.

How to make a Christmas wreath

Step 7

Cut long lengths of reel wire to make ‘legs’ for your decorations (to attach them to the wreath). To do this, bend the wire in half and attach with a few twists around a suitable point on your decoration (such as the stem or around the pine cone).

How to make a Christmas wreath

Step 8

Attach the decorations at random intervals around the wreath by separating out the ‘legs’ of the wire and securing them at the back of the wreath with a few twists. Use the ribbon to hang your wreath on a door or suitable place and enjoy your Christmas wreath!

How to make a Christmas wreath

Customise your Christmas wreath!

It’s time to get creative and add in those personal touches! For the most classic of Christmas colour combos, try incorporating dried orange slices and bright red berries like in the wreath below for the ultimate in classic Christmas wreath effects.

Or why not try adding some of your favourite items into your wreath to show off your own individual style – whatever you add, nothing beats that feeling of getting crafty at Christmas!

How to make a Christmas wreath from scratch

Bringing your Christmas wreath to life

Christmas wreaths are super easy to make and completely customisable. You can let your creativity loose and design your Christmas wreath to suit your style and home aesthetic.

Now you’ve learnt how to make a Christmas wreath you’ll be able to make your own wreaths year after year! There’s nothing quite as satisfying as making your own Christmas decorations and gifts.

Discover more fun Christmas projects with Gathered!

If you’re looking for more satisfying and festive wreaths to make this Christmas, take a look at Gathered’s pick of the best Christmas wreath ideas.

Christmas wreath ideas