How to Make a Christmas Wreath: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide

A gorgeous wreath is a wonderful way to deck the halls at Christmas. It’s fresh, beautiful and can be far more eco-friendly than plastic decorations. And while you can easily leave it to the experts, if you’re on a budget or fancy getting creative it’s not that tricky to craft your own. In fact, it can be a great way to have a mindful afternoon in amongst the frenzy of the festivities. Just follow our simple guide and you’ll soon have a stunning wreath all of your own.

What you’ll need to make a Christmas wreath

• A mix of evergreen foliage. We’ve nabbed blue spruce, conifer and eucalyptus (we love the berried version at this time of year).
• Christmas Flowers. We’ve chosen long lasting varieties including beautiful red skimmia and hypericum.
• Moss
• String
• A wire wreath (available from your local florist or most craft stores)
• Floristry tools – a reel of wire, floristry scissors (again a craft store should have these)
• Some accessories to decorate with. We’ve chosen dried orange slices and pinecones for a wreath that’s as kind to the planet as it is easy on the eye but you could choose ribbons, baubles, or cinnamon sticks

How to make a Christmas wreath step by step

Making your own Christmas wreath is a lovely way to add a personal touch to your festive decorations. With fresh foliage, seasonal flowers and a few simple materials, you can create a wreath that feels completely unique to your home.

Whether you’re making your first wreath or you’re looking for a new Christmas craft idea, our step-by-step guide will help you build your wreath from the base upwards.

Watch our step-by-step video guide to making your own Christmas wreath from award-winning Interflora florist Lizzie Newcombe, then follow each stage below to create your own festive decoration.

1. Make a moss base

Take a piece of moss and lay it over your wire frame. With your florist wire, bind the moss to your frame, leaving around an inch of wire at the end to tie off later. As you wrap the wire around, leave about a finger’s width apart each time, being careful not to tie it on too tightly. After your first piece is attached, carry on (without cutting the wire) until your wreath is completely covered.

All mossed up and ready to move on? Using the inch of wire you left earlier, twist it together with the other end of your wire to secure your moss base. Make sure not to cut the wire off at this stage, as you’ll need it to attach your festive foliage and flowers in the next steps.

Why moss? It’s biodegradable and provides moisture to help your Christmas wreath last longer.

2. Prep your festive foliage and flowers

Blue spruce and conifer will give your wreath that fabulous festive fragrance. For your blue spruce, cut the smaller side branches off and discard the main stem. To make it easier for you to push the pieces into your wreath later, pull off some of the pine needles at the bottom of each piece. Prep your conifer by cutting each branch into 2-3 pieces.

For Christmas colour, add your red skimmia and hypericum berries. Cut each stem of your hypericum berries and skimmia into smaller pieces. Remove the leaves from the hypericum berries as these will eventually go brown. For your eucalyptus, cut each piece into smaller pieces, and just like you did with your blue spruce, take off a few leaves at the bottom.

3. Ready your real Christmas wreath to hang

It’s almost time to start adding your foliage and flowers. But before you do, you’ll need to make a loop to hang your wreath. It’s easier to do this now, before your wreath gets too thick.

Cut a small piece of twine and fold it in half. Wrap it around the base of your wreath, loop it back through itself and pull tight. Tie the two cut ends together and voila, your Christmas door wreath has a handy loop ready to hang.

4. Now for some Christmas wreath making magic

Grab your pieces of spruce and conifer and start by tucking them into the moss, layering each piece over the last. Fan out your pieces in an anti-clockwise direction and arrange them loosely to create a soft, natural shape, placing each piece slightly outwards. =

Once you’ve added a few pieces, use the wire to hold them in place by wrapping it over the top a couple of times. Next, add the eucalyptus, hypericum berries and skimmia in and around your foliage. Repeat these steps as you create a fabulously festive floral wreath.

Love working with fresh foliage? You could also try your hand at making a Christmas garland, another beautiful way to bring seasonal greenery into your home.

5. Prep your pine cones and orange slices

This part is quick and easy and should only take a few minutes. First take two slices of orange and push a piece of wire (around 15cm) through the flesh, just underneath the rind (the white bit). Bend the wire in half so it makes two stems, then twist them together. Do this for the other slices too.

For each pine cone, bend a piece of wire (around 15cm) around the bottom of the cone until it meets back up with the other end of the wire. Straighten the wires and twist together. We’ve picked pine cones and orange slices, but if you want to add your own Christmas wreath ideas, like bows or baubles, go for it.

6. Add the finishing touches

Pop your pine cones and orange slices into your wreath. There’s no perfect place – your wreath, your rules.

When you’re happy, attach them by pushing the wire through the moss from the front until it pokes out the other side. Once the wire is through, push it into the moss base to keep it in place. Do this for your other pine cones and orange slices.

All that’s left do to? Hang your Christmas wreath on your door for all your neighbours to admire (and envy).

If you love the look of a handmade wreath but don’t have the time to create your own, our florists can help. Explore our Christmas wreaths for beautifully crafted designs made with seasonal foliage and flowers.

Explore florist-crafted Christmas wreaths

Caring for a Christmas wreath

Now your exquisite wreath is all ready to go you’ll want to make sure that had work lasts all through the festive season. And don’t worry, it’s not too tricky – there are a few easy ways to make a fresh flower wreath last longer.

1. Be savvy with your flower choices – choose long lasting flowers and foliage (like the examples above) Avoid orchids or roses (or if you really want those, only add them close to the main event!)

2. Keep watering – it’s not just growing Christmas plants that need water! Get a misting bottle and mist your wreath every other day.

3. Protect it from the weather – if there’s going to be heavy rain, frost or high winds, pop your wreath in a garage or shed to protect it. Avoid the temptation to bring it inside – warm houses will make it unhappy too. And if you can try and keep it out of direct sun, which could wilt the blooms and dry everything out.

4. Recycle and revive – wreaths are natural decorations, sometimes there’s no getting away from fading flowers and foliage. The good news is you can swap them out! Gently remove and compost any finished part and add fresh leaves or flowers in. This will give your wreath extra life and a fresh look.

5. Swap glue for wire – we love a hot glue gun as much as the next crafter, but flowers are not fans. Glue can damage the petals so grab yourself some floristry wire  instead to secure those precious blooms.

Create a Christmas wreath you’ll love hanging at home

Making your own Christmas wreath is a wonderful way to slow down during the festive rush and create something with a personal touch. From choosing your favourite foliage to adding those final decorations, every wreath tells its own little Christmas story.

With the right materials, a little patience and our step-by-step guide, you can create a beautiful real Christmas wreath that brings seasonal colour and fragrance to your home throughout December.

If you love the look of a beautifully finished wreath but would rather leave the crafting to our expert florists, explore our collection of Christmas wreaths, ready to bring a little extra magic to your front door.

And don’t forget to explore our Christmas Shop for more festive flowers, plants and festive gift ideas to help make the season feel even more special.

How long do real Christmas wreaths last?

A real Christmas wreath can last for several weeks when it’s looked after properly. Fresh foliage such as spruce, conifer and eucalyptus naturally helps your wreath stay looking beautiful throughout the festive season, while regular misting and keeping it away from heat sources will help it last even longer.

If you’re making your wreath early in December, choosing hardy greenery and checking it regularly will help you enjoy it right through to Christmas Day and beyond.

What greenery is best for a Christmas wreath?

Evergreen foliage is a classic choice for Christmas wreaths because it keeps its shape and brings that unmistakable festive feel. Blue spruce, conifer and eucalyptus are all great options, while berries, pinecones and dried fruits can add colour and texture.

Enjoy a Christmas wreath-making experience

Making a Christmas wreath is a lovely way to spend a festive afternoon, whether you’re creating one at home or joining a workshop with your local florist. Lots of our Interflora florists host seasonal events where you can learn new skills, meet other Christmas crafters and take home a wreath made specially by you.

Every wreath turns out different, and that’s the beauty of making your own. As one florist explains: