by Susan Hibberd

Created on: December 27, 2010   Last Updated: December 28, 2010

We often associate wreaths with Christmas time, but they don’t only have to be brought out once a year. Wreaths can be used to welcome guests to your home at any time of the year. Use fresh herb wreaths in the spring, seashells wreaths in the summer, glorious fiery red wreaths of autumn leaves in the fall and glossy green leaves in the winter.

Match your wreath to the color of your home or the color of the celebration you are holding. Use vivid colors to brighten up dreary winter days and bring a smile to the face of your guests.

It is best to use a firm base when you are making a winter wreath. You can use one made out of florist's oasis,  polystyrene(choose green or brown) or a natural base. You can buy wreath bases made out of natural, 'twiggy' sticks, with kinks in them, which look dark brown and rustic, or stripped willow ones which are smooth and more regular, and tend to be pale cream in color. Choose whichever one you think will suit your decor, as some of it might show through after you have made your wreath.

Firstly assemble the things you will need:

Secateurs
Wire snippers
Florist's wire
Base wreath
A selection of items to decorate your wreath (see below)
Ribbon
Wire for hanging
Hot glue gun (optional)
Newspaper

Lay everything out on the newspaper. You will find that this is makes quite a mess with snipped bits and loose leaves, so it's easiest to do it over some paper that can just be rolled up and chucked out afterwards.

Start by adding the hanging loop to the top of the base wreath. This will be hidden, so don't worry about making it look neat, but you must make it strong. A wire one is best. Use a thin one if you want to hook it over the door and shut the door afterwards.

Basic Method

Start adding decorations with long, strong fixings, working them into the base wreath so that they swoosh round in a clockwise direction, like a Catherine wheel. Add about five or six pieces of each at even intervals around your wreath.

Now add in any smaller pieces tucking them in between your larger embellishments. Try to even out the colors and textures as you go round the wreath so that they are evenly distributed.

Lastly, add tiny, brightly-coloured bits and pieces like tiny bows or foil-covered sweets.

Wreath ideas

*For a birthday party, choose a twig base and decorate it with silver or gold foil leaves. Add in tiny, wrapped presents and candies and streamers. You could even put in some tooters and tiny party hats. Look for these in cake decorating stores.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>