How to Make Wreaths

Wreaths are a great way to decorate for all occasions and seasons. Autumn wreaths feature the beauty of fall foliage and the scent of balsam. Winter wreaths feature evergreens and deep colored ribbons, berries and winter blossoms. Spring wreaths feature new buds and fresh herbs, and summer wreaths just burst with greenery. Wreaths can be expensive, but you don't have to drop a bundle on them, as they are fairly easy and inexpensive to make. Follow these steps to make your own wreath.

Things You'll Need

• Wreath form
• Base materials, such as foliage or twigs
• Decorations, such as buds or ribbons
• Hot glue gun
• Floral wire

Instructions

1. 

   Find or make a good wreath form to start with. Pre-made wreath forms are available at craft stores and are made out of several different types of material: grapevine, Styrofoam, straw, wire or florist foam. Florist foam is only necessary if you are planning on putting cut flowers and branches on your wreath that you want to keep fresh. You would just have to keep it wet. Grapevine and hay wreaths have a rustic look and don't have to be completely covered. Styrofoam wreaths are easy to work with and make your wreath fuller without having to add too many layers of coverage. Wire wreath forms are very easy to work with, lightweight and easy to hang. If you prefer, instead of purchasing a wire wreath, you can make one by bending out two metal hangers into circles, overlapping them slightly and taping or wiring them together.

2. Choose a base covering for your wreath. This can be in the form of branches, twigs or leaves. For example, you may use evergreen branches for a Christmas wreath, or basil leaves for a spring herbal wreath, or simply bare twigs you've gathered from the ground for an autumn wreath. If you are using a grapevine or straw wreath form, you may not want complete coverage because you like the branches or straw to show. Any other wreath form and you are going to want enough material to cover the base. Begin by placing one branch, twig or leaf on the wreath form. Hot glue it or wire it into place. Then overlap the next piece onto it, facing in the same direction but pointing higher or lower. Glue or wire that into place. Continue doing this until you have covered the wreath form (or as much of it as you want covered) with the materials. Tuck the last layer under the first layer when you come full circle.

3. Decide what you will use to decorate your wreath. There are so many options: pine cones, acorns, berries, blossoms, buds, sprigs of herbs, dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, bows, small figurines, wooden cut-outs, clay molds, ornaments, tiny framed photos, bottle caps, bead clusters, crystals, miniature flags, tiny toys or origami figures, just to name a few. Select one, three, or five different types of decorative features, as odd numbers are more aesthetically pleasing. Make sure they embody the theme of your wreath if you have one, and that they stand out against the base covering.

4. Lay your wreath flat on the table. Lay your decorative pieces on top of the wreath. Play with them and move them around until they are evenly spaced out and in an attractive arrangement.

5. Attach your decorative elements to your wreath using floral wire, or a hot glue gun. Some bulkier pieces that are harder to hold can be glued to a piece of wire, then attached to the wreath like a twist tie. Another option for heavier pieces is to drill a hole in it, in one side and out the other, then slip the wire through the hole and attach it to the wreath form like a twist tie. Try to hide all wires under your layers of base covering.

6. Hang your wreath and enjoy it.

Tips & Warnings

• Create wreaths for all seasons and occasions, and store them away. As the months roll by, simply change out your wreath to keep your decor fresh for the season. Instead of just hanging your wreaths, lay them on your table as a centerpiece by placing a vase of flowers, candle arrangement or basket of fruit in the center. Make smaller wreaths to encircle the bottom of candle holders for decor accents.