Make Your Own Designer Wreath

A few special touches can give your ordinary wreath a designer look. Start with a purchased balsam wreath from your local garden center or grocery store, or make your own by wiring bundles of greens together. Add some extra greens and decorations; finish with a pretty bow, and voila! Your holiday wreath will be unique and gorgeous.

You will need:

• Extra, colorful greens, like variegated boxwood, juniper, Port Orford Cedar, white pine, or incense cedar. Many of these greens can be found in your own backyard. Garden centers and florists stock them at this time of year.
• Florist wire and a glue gun. These will be used to secure your decorations to the wreath.
• Pine cones, seed pods, branches, berries or ornaments to decorate your wreath.
• A bow or ribbon
• Pruners or hand snips

First, make a long sturdy loop to hang the wreath.

Start with a theme or color scheme; it will help you decide which decorations you want to use. Limit yourself to two or three colors, or just use one color for a monochromatic look. Add the extra greens first, if you are using them. These will give your wreath texture and color. Choose greens that will enhance the other colors in your wreath: Juniper with berries will blend nicely with a blue bow, or Port Orford cedar, which is slightly yellow, would be a nice contrast to red berries or rose hips.

Pine cones and branches can be used in their natural state or spray painted, depending on the look you want.

Secure your decorations well so they will stay where you place them. Remember, your wreath will be outdoors in winter weather conditions. It will get wet and tossed around by the wind. Wrap large items, like loose greens and pine cones, with florist wire and tie them tightly to the base of your wreath. Smaller, lighter items can be glued in place. If you are using your wreath indoors, try to keep it away from a heat source and avoid using greens that dry out quickly, like juniper.

A bow can be placed in the center at the top of the wreath, or off to one side. Experiment until you get the look you want. It is easiest to add the bow before you decorate your wreath; you won't risk crushing the more fragile trimmings. 

Save pinecones, seed heads and other supplies throughout the year and you will have plenty of material to play with. When it is time to make your wreath, gather friends together for a wreath making party: A little mulled cider or wine, some Christmas cookies and the scent of fresh greens will get everyone in the holiday spirit. Have fun!