DIY Christmas wreath with fresh foliage

[GettingOldWithoutStyle]

Hello,

This year I've got it in to my head that I want to make my own wreath for our front door - I've been in a bubble of babies for years and have given up my crafting as a result, so I am determined to get a bit of me back by starting on projects once I return to work after mat leave..My kids who will be 6,4 and 1 at Christmas, LOVE being outdoors collecting pine cones etc and I thought I could marry the two by asking them to pick some bits and I pull it together to make our wreath. I envisage pine leaves, cones, berries, maybe a chestnut or something and a ribbon.

My question is what do I need to buy to pull it off? I have looked at grapevine wreathes as a base but not sure if the foliage will just rot. Do I need a Moss base? Wire? A glue gun?? Totally clueless!

Any words of wisdom from some experienced crafter's would be great 😃

Just to say I’ve found a great alternative to moss is the wool innards from the bags that frozen food deliveries come in. The sort from hello fresh or riverford. It’s just plain wool so it holds moisture really well and it’s very springy.

Nope, the moss doesn't need to remain moist. It's there to bulk up the shape, rather than to provide moisture. The foliage etc. is all evergreen and by nature will keep looking good for weeks in cool outdoor temperatures.

I actually tend not to bother with moss, but use the small flexible offcuts from Christmas trees to get the same effect. I just layer/bunch together and wrap with twine to get the same sausage effect around the wire ring. I then tend to use a combination of pushing into the base plus twine/florists wire to attach greenery on top, working in a methodic circle from one direction to the other.

I'm very lucky because the local nursery where we buy our Christmas tree from always has free offcuts and they're happy for me to take enough for a wreath (or two!) plus a mantelpiece garland. If you like spruce foliage, it's worth exploring this option before butchering your tree!

I'd steer clear of collecting moss from woods etc- it's home to a lot of things! However you can easily cover the majority of the wreath base by simply taking long pieces of ivy and twisting it round and round the base. I use a willow one. Then just continue to twist in whatever takes your fancy! I use a bit of green gardener's wire to secure things in, nothing fancier than that. It's very easy really.

I do it with moss and you can lie the whole wreath on the lawn for an hour or so once a week and the moss soaks up water. Then rehang. This way, my wreath lasts from late November to early January and looks perfect.