The winter holidays in my household are accompanied by home-grown traditions, freshly baked goods and the closeness of family and friends. One tradition my family holds dear to our hearts is creating some of our own holiday decorations such as ornaments for our Christmas tree, garland and wreaths. Here is a look at how we create our own Christmas wreaths at home with very little money.
The Supplies You Will Need to Acquire
Before you begin making your wreath, you will need to acquire some very basic materials. You will want to have sprigs of boxwood, evergreen, spruce or fir. I prefer to use boxwood because the branches seem to be the most flexible and the smell is delightful, but to each their own. Use what is available to you. You will also need crafting wire, wire cutters, a pair of scissors and a clean, flat surface to work on.
Creating Your Wreath
Once you’ve gathered all of your supplies, organize them on your flat surface. Cut a length of six to eight inches of wire from the wire spool with your wire cutters and set it aside. Take your sprig of boxwood and gently bend it into a circle, taking care to make sure the leaves are not damaged in the process. Make sure the two ends of your sprig meet. Take your pre-cut wire and begin wrapping it around the ends of your sprig. Gently pull on the wreath to make sure it has been secured tightly. Finally, take your scissors and remove any loose or stray ends on your wreath.
Making the Wreath Yours with Final Touches
You’ve now made a basic wreath, but maybe you want to add some finishing touches. Your options are limitless. You can adorn your wreath with a bow or add lights. The choice is yours. I typically keep my wreath simple by adding a red bow with wire and attaching more wire so I can hang the wreath on my front door.
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