How to Make a Natural Evergreen Wreath

Decking the halls!

And the walls and the doors and the…

Tis’ the season to have cedar clippings and

magnolia leaves strewn hither and there.

And I love it.

Well, not the “strewn” part but the decorating part.

Every year, I raid my yard in what The Hubbs has

deemed “The Great Christmas Shrub & Tree Pillaging.”

I have baskets of fresh clippings everywhere you look –

ready to be placed into anything that doesn’t walk or move. 🙂

Cedar, boxwood, wild magnolia and pine.

Last week, I shared a tiny all-natural wreath I had made

and asked if you wanted me to show you how to make one.

You did!

So here ya’ go…

How to Make a Natural Evergreen Wreath

 I understand that not everyone has boxwood

growing in their yard.

Or, five acres of wild magnolia and beautiful NC pine.

I ,also, understand that not everyone has a 12-yr old

rosemary that is more a tree than a plant.

I do get that!

But, here’s a little secret… did you know Lowe’s and

Home Depot give away their Christmas tree trimmings?

That’s right.  

All your little arms can carry.

Don’t have any other greenery sources?

Put out a call to family and friends and ask if you can 

come raid their yard and give them a free bush pruning.

I used four types of greenery…

boxwood – rosemary – cedar – wild magnolia.

You could also use just two types of greenery, or if need be –

even a single type of greenery.

The wreath-making technique is the same.

 

My preferred type of floral wire is a 1/4-lb wire on a

paddle. It’s easier to use and prevents the wire from

becoming uncoiled like some other spools.

Let’s get started…

All of my cuttings are about 8-12″ long.  They have been

given a good washing in the tub to remove any

“tagger-alongs,” aka bugs.

Start with a single cutting, and wrap the stem with wire

several times.  You will note as we go along, I do not

use a wreath form, etc.  

Grab a second cutting, and “squish” it together at

the base of the leaves just above the stem, then place

the second stem about halfway

down the first stem, on top pf each other.  

Continue wiring the two together.

Now start layering additional types of greenery, as

available. I used the stems of rosemary and magnolia

more as “filler” which I place on the sides primarily, to

add bulk to the “garland.”  Always lay the newer stem

slightly further down the stem of the cutting you are

placing it on top of,  so it creates a “layered” effect.

 

Keep wiring tightly as you work. 

It doesn’t matter if you are working with

only two types of greenery or five –

try to alternate the stems as you go so when the wreath

is formed all of the stems will be distributed evenly.

Also, make sure you maintain the same thickness

throughout, too.   

Once you have a long enough garland required to

make the diameter of wreath you desire…

Go thru and add more wire here and there

to secure it all, as needed.

To create the wreath, simply shape the garland into

a circle and use more wire to secure the two ends together.

If you created a garland with enough thickness, the

wreath should easily hold its own shape.  If the wreath

is too flimsy, unwire it and add more greenery – or

its possible you wired all of the pieces too far down

on the stems.

Now, as I said. I did not use a form, but if you have a

wire wreath-making form, the concept is the same. 

If you have a few bare spots, go ahead and tuck in

a spare piece of greenery here and there.

Finally, add a wire hanger on the back.

Okay, I cheated. 

This wreath isn’t exactly 100 percent natural.

I did add some faux berries.

I am so in love with this ribbon from Hobby Lobby.  

It is a sweater ribbon and I want to add it to everything.

This is the theme ribbon for our kitchen this year.

Right now, it’s hanging on the wall above the little blue

cabinet in the breakfast room area. 

Not sure if I will keep it here – it’s a process. 🙂

But, what I am sure of is that I love it.

I love it’s simplicity.

I love it’s texture.

And I love it’s price.

ha!

I love how my Iced Mason Jar Candle in the vintage

scale looks with the wreath. This gives you an indication

of the direction I am going this year.

 

I hope to make several more of these,

and will even use a few of them in the original

garland format.

I hope this tutorial helped you.

Do you have any questions about the process?

Please leave a comment below if so.

Where would you love to hang one of these wreaths?

I’d love to hear your ideas.

Do you follow me on Pinterest?

I share so many fabulous DIYs, Crafts and Recipes,

so please join me.

I would also love it if you would share these images…

Here are a few more Christmas projects from

The Everyday Home….

THE best cookie you’ll ever bake this Christmas…

Cranberry-Pecan-White Chocolate Cookies

How to Make a Goodwill Christmas Sweater

Thank you for spending a few

minutes of your day here with me. 

 

You can follow along with

The Everyday Home here….

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xxoo, Barb

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