Your Guide To Buying & Making A Christmas Wreath

Your Guide To Buying & Making A Christmas Wreath

No home is ready for Christmas if the front door isn’t dressed with a Christmas wreath. But with so many styles to choose from, and plenty of beautiful artificial options around, it’s important to be aware of what you’re choosing. For us, there’s something particularly special about a handmade, authentic wreath – but whether you want to make your own or treat yourself to a florist’s special creation, here are the expert tips, DIY kits and courses to know.

When deciding on your wreath, a good way to start is to think about what colours you want. From a purchasing perspective, this is easy – just go for the theme you love. But if you’re keen to make your own, you need to plan. This will determine your flower choices, all the way down to the finishing touches. Pinks and reds are especially popular this year, along with frosted whites and soft greens. Eucalyptus, pure bleached ruscus, berried and variegated ivy, reindeer moss, baby fir, dried cardoons, dried strawflowers, lichen and larch are all good options for creating a beautiful wreath. 

Inspired? Here, florist Willow Crossley give us her step-by-step guide to making a wreath from scratch…

WILLOW CROSSLEY

  1. Start by thinking about what colours you want. I really love pink and red this year and have used berries, pink and white wax flower, dried brunia and dried statice. I also love soft whites (use dried poppy and nigella heads) and pale greens (try lambs ear). 

  2. Create a sturdy base. Copper, straw or willow bases work well. Use reel wire to attach handfuls of sphagnum moss to the frame, evenly covering the frame.

  3. Cut up some pieces of Christmas tree branch and create a fan of three. Wrap wire around each fan and use that to attach it to the moss, always wrapping in the same direction. Then your base is done.

  4. Cut your flowers on an angle. This gives them a bigger surface area to drink and also create a good spike to stick them into the moss. Then either spike in individual stems or create individual mini bouquets (about 20) and distribute around the wreath base. For any pine cones, berries or other extras, use mossing pins to attach. 

  5. Finish everything off with a big velvet ribbon – personally speaking, nothing beats a long trailing style. 

  6. To keep it looking perky, either remove the wreath from your door and soak it for a short time. Then leave it to dry off overnight before rehanging, or spray intermittently in situ.

You can find out more about Willow’s floristry tips by signing up to her online course with Create Academy.
 

Inspired To Make Your Own? Here Are The Courses To Book…
 

If you want to make a wreath yourself, there are plenty of virtual courses running throughout December, as well as in person workshops, so whatever tier you’re in you can still join in the fun:

McQueens In Person Wreath-Making Course

Delve into the spirit of the season with this one-day festive workshop. Surrounded by the most beautiful, nostalgic flora and fauna, join a small group to learn how to make a signature McQueens Flowers wreath – tailoring your design with an array of ornaments and ribbons. Continue by learning how to create a show-stopping table centrepiece – the perfect addition to your Christmas dining setting. This one-day workshop will be conducted in small groups and there are also a limited number of half-day courses available, too.

From £220

Visit McQueens.co.uk  

Lavender Green Online Wreath-Making Course

Your Winter Wonderland Wreath Kit will be delivered to your door via courier a few days before, and will contain a mix of fresh and luscious foliage such eucalyptus, grevillea and Scotch pine with accents of waxflower, dried lavender, lichen twig, and grouped pine cones to decorate including a generous length of luxe ribbon and ample wire to mount. All prices include a gift box and a decorative box slip. In addition to your kit, you will need: Wi-Fi, access to Zoom, mulled wine (optional) and strong scissors.

From £75

Visit LavenderGreen.co.uk

Botanical Boys x Wardian London Online Wreath Making Workshops

Get into the festive spirit with this series of wreath-making workshops in partnership between Botanical Boys and Wardian London. The kits include seasonal mosses, delicate English-grown dried fruit, a 30m wired wreath base, a reel of wire, pine cuttings and stud wired (all of which are easily recyclable). All kits need to be bought a minimum of five days before the class date to allow for courier delivery.

From £77.50

Visit BotanicalBoys.com

Alice Mccabe Flowers Onloine Wreath-Making Course

Join floral artist Alice McCabe for a workshop to create a living or dried ring wreath. Composed of air plants and jutting stained grevillea, which bursts forth from coloured moss, this wreath will make for a joyous display all year round. Floral materials will be posted to participants beforehand, while a a YouTube link to the live session will also be revealed on booking. During the workshop – which will be limited to no more than 20 people – you’ll also learn how to care for your wreath, as well as give a variety of wiring techniques a go. 

From £45

Book your tickets here

Prefer To Stay In? The Best Boxed Kits To Make At Home…
 

This year, some florists are selling DIY boxed kits, as well with instructions to help you create your dream doorway. Here are some of our favourites…

ByBloom.co.uk

RealFlowers.co.uk

BrambleAndWillow.com

Shop-KarenWoolvenFlowers.co.uk

 

Shop Our Edit Of The Best Wreaths Available Now…

Dried Fruit And Spices

 

Green & Wild

Jewel Tones

Winter Whites

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