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| Photo Credit: Amy Dee Stephens |
| With just a few cuttings from the yard, this elegant wreath took less than 10 minutes to create. |
Want to celebrate the holiday season with an easy, inexpensive wreath to hang on your door or give as a gift? You’d be amazed at how easily this project comes together – and with quite elegant results! It’s so fun and simple that kids can join in to make their own wreaths, too. (And this beautiful craft makes great teacher or grandparent gifts.)
You only need a few materials: - Grapevine wreath (any size, usually available for a few dollars at a craft store)
- Plant cuttings (from your back yard or extra boughs from the bottom of your Christmas tree)
- A bit of florist wire to hold things in place (paper clips work in a pinch)
- Seasonal embellishments, like ribbons, ornaments or pinecones (optional)
| Add Photo to Journal |  | Photo Credit: Amy Dee Stephens | | Choose hardy winter plants, like evergreens or holly, to make your holiday wreath. |
To get your cuttings, head on out into your back yard. You can use just about any plant, but shrubs and evergreens provide the longest-lasting results. Use just one kind of plant or a combination of several for texture and color. Holly (Ilex), pine (Pinus), junipers (Juniperus), Nandina or Viburnum all make great choices. Be sure to make your cuttings about 8 inches long – you can always trim them as needed.
Here are a few wreath ideas to get you started, as well as the approximate time it takes to complete them. Bow-and-Sprig Wreath (5 minutes): This is the world’s easiest wreath to make. Simply put a bow at the top or bottom of the grapevine wreath. Place a plant sprig at each side of your bow, and poke it down far enough into the grapevines to secure it. That’s all there is to it. Simple yet festive! Wreath With a Splash (15 minutes): If you’re willing to try something a little harder than the bow-and-sprig, use two or three different types of plants on your wreath. Although it sounds easy enough, the trick is to make sure that it all balances. If you use a holly branch on the left side, the other side needs to have a holly branch that’s about the same size and shape or it’ll look (and hang) lopsided.
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| Facts |
- The word “wreath” comes from the English word “writhen,” to writhe or twist. The wreath shape, a circle with no beginning or end, signifies eternity. Those made of evergreen branches symbolize everlasting life and hope throughout the winter.
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| Tips |
- As you work, occasionally hold the wreath upright and shake it gently. Any plants or ornaments that aren’t fastened securely into the grapevines will shift or fall. Simply reposition them or secure them with a twist of florist’s wire.
- Give your wreath a theme. For a teacher, you could embellish your wreath with dried apple slices or crayons. A dog lover might find humor in bone-shaped biscuits or chew toys. Grandpa might like fishing lures. Be creative!
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| Faqs |
- Q: What are some good cutting options to reflect spring, summer and fall?
A: Come spring, use some eucalyptus or asparagus fern for your wreath’s base, and add any variety of spring flowers for embellishments. In summer, herbs like rosemary or sage add both beauty and fragrance. Bachelor’s buttons and goldenrods are also hardy seasonal additions. In fall, use dried flowers like lavender or baby’s breath, and incorporate some brightly colored fall foliage or silk fall leaves from a craft store.
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