Making your own wreath

[Maggiethecat]

We have a conifer and eucalyptus tree and I usually use these along with foraged holly/berries to make a wreath for the front door.
Would like to make it a bit more interesting and wonder what else I can use, preferably foraged?

Some nice ideas on here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/crafts/make-a-natural-christmas-wreath

Did mine with a group of neighbours tonight. We scavenge all sorts from gardens and hedges. Ivy has black berries at the mo, variegated shrubs look brilliant, bay tree leaves dark glossy green leaves. Even leylandii looks good as the base layer.

Thanks! I’ve never used moss but will look into.

That sounds lovely doing it with neighbours.
I’m going to have a walk tomorrow with ‘fresh’ eyes!

We have a million wreath making classes round my way at £60 a pop.

Mostly it's about dried ranges and limes with a few interesting cuts and sticks of cinnamon as far asI can tell.

Bits I have used before are rosehips, dead hydrangea heads, skimmia (with the red buds), pine cones. I'm afraid I also usually buy a large branch of blue spruce from our florist (£2.50) as well. And I like a big velvet bow to give more colour (same one each year).

If you wire moss onto your base you can use it for years to come. Just spritz it with plenty of water and it's good to go.

@AndThereSheGoes - that seems to be the going rate for wreath making classes!

@Candlesonthetable - where can I get moss, most likely the florists?

Brussel sprouts

I literally pulled it up from our lawn - bits all across so you don't get a bare patch. There was some mud on the bottom but ended up on the inside next to the wreath form so it didn't get anything mucky.

@Candlesonthetable - I saw moss in the woodlands near me yesterday.

What is the purpose of the moss? Is it to add bulk/fill the wire frame?

Our lawn is full of moss! Dried hydrangeas look great, as do dried seed heads including alliums and poppies. At first when you look around you won't think there's anything interesting, but actually there will be loads once you get started.

If you do want to spend, florists tend to have lots of wreathy stuff at the moment.

Loads of reasons really. I use it to bulk out the wreath. It's easier to stick bits into like wired pinecones or stems of rosehips. The moss also helps it keep a little more hydrated. It makes the back of the ring form softer against the door so less rattling and scratching in windy weather. I also find that when I am trying to pull the wire tight the slight 'give' in the moss helps rather than tryijg to pull it tight against the ring. I also think because it is green you don't need to do so much work to cover it because it doesn't show through as much.

Thanks for these tips, you sound very experienced!

I have noticed there are fewer berries around here this year now and it made me wonder if next year
I should gather berries, other stuff earlier and dry them.

I buy sphagnum moss online. It holds water so keeps everything else fresh when you poke it in. That makes the base and then I add holly, ivy, bay, rosemary, hips. Not keen on ribbons and orange slices etc- mine is all greenery.

Do you poke foliage into the moss or lay it on top?

I made a bay wreath yesterday.
Florists wire, bent into a loop, then thread as many bay leaves on as possible. Loop the end of the wire through the original loop, and fasten. Use a ribbon to cover the join.

Can be left as is, or can gradually use the leaves in cooking.

That’s really different! Must smell lovely ☺️

Lay it on top. Make bundles and wire it.

Then get stiff wire for your decorations etc

I poke it in. That way the moisture in the moss keeps the foliage fresh. Think of it like nature’s oasis.