How to Make an Old Fashioned Holly Wreath

Wire holly leaves and berries to a wreath form to make an old-fashioned wreath.

Holly has been used for holiday decorations since the Romans hung it wreaths in their homes during Saturnalia, marking the winter solstice. It has long been associated with Christmas, and its deep green and bright red are the traditional colors of Christmas decorations. Make an old-fashioned holly wreath to adorn your door this holiday season. After the festivities are over, unwrap the holly leaves and berries from the wreath and put them in your yard for foraging animals and birds.

Things You'll Need

• Wire wreath form
• Florist wire, 22 gauge
• Wire cutter
• Pliers
• Moss, ivy or other greenery
• Holly bunches
• Holly berries
• 9 pine cones
• 1 yard wired ribbon, 3 inches wide, in color of your choice
• Dried orange slices or small apples, optional
• Hot glue, optional

Instructions

1. Cut an 8-inch piece of 22-gauge florist wire with wire cutters. Wrap both ends of the wire around the outer edge of the wreath form several times to make a hanging loop. Crimp the ends of the wire with a pair of pliers to secure them.

2. Put a piece of moss or a small bundle of ivy or other greenery on the wreath form, laying it flat. Leaves should extend slightly beyond the outside edge of the wreath form with the stems lying on the form. Wrap 22-gauge florist wire around the moss or the stems, making several passes to secure them. Do not cut the wire.

3. Continue adding pieces of moss or small bundles of greenery, wiring each one in place, until the entire wreath form is covered. Do not cut the wire.

4. Put a small bunch of holly leaves on the right side of the wreath on top of the moss or greenery. The leaves should extend slightly beyond the outside edge of the wreath form and the stems should be on the form, pointing to the left. Wrap 22-gauge florist wire around the stems, making several passes to secure them.

5. Put another small bunch of holly leaves on the right side of the wreath, with the leaves extending slightly beyond the inside edge of the wreath form and the stems lying on the form, pointing to the right. Wrap the stems with 22-gauge wire.

6. Continue adding small bunches of holly leaves in the same way, working around the wreath until the moss or other greenery is covered by the holly leaves.

7. Cut the wire, leaving a 2-inch "tail." Wrap the tail end of the wire around the wreath form several times and crimp it with pliers to secure it.

8. Make three bunches of holly berries and place them an equal distance apart on the wreath. Wire each one to the wreath by wrapping 22-gauge florist wire around the stems several times. Cut the wire after securing each bunch of berries.

9. Wrap florist wire around the top of a pine cone several times, then around the top of a second and third pine cone, making a cluster.

10. Without cutting the wire, place the pine cones on the wreath in a space between two bunches of berries. Wrap florist wire around the top of the pine cone cluster several times, securing it to the wreath. Cut the wire.

11. Make a second and third cluster of pine cones and wire them to the wreath in the same way, placing them in the spaces between berry bunches.

12. Tie a bow using 3-inch wired ribbon. Trim the ends diagonally.

13. Cut a piece 6-inch piece of florist wire and slip it through the back of the loop on the bow. Twist the ends of the wire around the wreath to secure the bow.

Tips & Warnings

• Add decorations such as dried orange slices or small apples using hot glue.

• Wear gloves when handling holly leaves to avoid scratches from their spiny or thorny tips.

• Keep your wreath moist by laying it on a flat outdoor surface and pouring water over it. Repeat the watering every three days.

References

• Gardener's World: How to Make a Christmas Wreath
• You Tube; Living Gardens: Holly Wreath Podcast
• Favorite Traditions.com; Do You Know the Origins of Christmas Traditions?: Adam Lenk

Resources

• Christmas Wreath: Wreath Making Supplies