Decorating a Christmas wreath is fun and much simpler than you think. You don’t have to be a designer, have fancy equipment or special skills to make a beautiful holiday wreath this Christmas season.
I used to drool over the gorgeous fresh wreaths I would see in catalogs or online, wishing I could afford one. Once I discovered the technique I’m about to show you, it made decorating a Christmas wreath so simple and quick. And the best part—it’s so affordable, you’ll want to make them by the dozens!
In this post, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of decorating a Christmas wreath from start to finish. I bet you even have most of the items already on hand.
Come on…Let’s get started!
Decorating a Christmas Wreath – Step by Step
*Video tutorial link at the end of the post*
Step 1: Choose a Base for Decorating a Christmas Wreath
The first step in decorating a Christmas wreath is deciding where it will hang. This helps you choose the right size base.
- For doors: Aim for a wreath that’s about 2/3 the width of the door.
- For mantles: Choose a scale that works with the wall above and any decor you’ll place on the mantle.
The key to keeping this project affordable is the base. My favorite is an inexpensive artificial wreath. You might already have one from a previous holiday season you can recycle.
If not, check dollar stores, box stores, or thrift stores. It doesn’t need to be full or even look pretty. Just grab the cheapest one you can find in the right size.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t forget to account for the completed size of the wreath once greenery is added. If you purchase a 16″ wreath the completed size will be closer to 24″.
Step 2: Find Fresh Evergreens
This step is especially fun for kids—head out on a nature walk to gather greenery.
- Evergreens keep their foliage year-round and include pine, cedar, magnolia, and even live oak.
- Mixing different types of greenery gives your wreath great texture.
- No access to evergreens? Visit a Christmas tree lot and ask for the boughs trimmed from the bottoms of trees—they’re usually free!
💡 Pro Tip: Use at least two types of greenery for a professional-looking wreath with depth and variety.
Step 3: Choose Accents (Optional)
With your base and greens ready, it’s time to pick ribbon and accents.
- Natural Accents: natural finds like pinecones, holly berries, juniper berries
- Silk Accents: Shatterproof bulbs, artificial berry picks, silk poinsettias
- Lights: Small battery powered fairy lights are a great option too.
If your budget is tight, pinecones and berries gathered outside make excellent accents.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep it simple. A few accents go a long way—no need to overthink.
Step 4: Assemble Your Fresh Wreath
Here comes the fun part—assembling and decorating your wreath!
- Spread 1/2 of the branches of your artificial wreath toward the center and 1/2 towards the edges.
- Trim your evergreen boughs into 8–10″ pieces. Sort by type if you’re using more than one.
- Grab a cluster of 3–4 pieces and lay them in one direction on top of your artificial wreath.
- Secure the cluster with the artificial greenery by twisting two pieces together from opposite sides – like a bread tie.
- Repeat until the wreath is covered, slightly overlapping where you started.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep all greenery clusters going in the same direction for a polished, finished look.
Step 5: Decorating a Christmas Wreath (Video Tutorial)
Now it’s time to bring your wreath to life with natural accents.
- Decide which side is “up.” Start adding decorations opposite your top hanging point.
- Add focal items like pinecones or groups of berries first, securing them with the wired branches.
- Tuck in your accents, securing it with the artificial greenery (you can hot glue these in if your wreath is going on a highly used door)
💡 Pro Tip: If you have any shatterproof bulbs you can easily secure them in with the “branches” from the artificial wreath.
Enjoy Your Fresh Christmas Wreath!
That’s it! Wasn’t that fun?! And so simple. You’ll be a wreath-making machine in no time.
The best part? This wreath is so affordable. And because the base is artificial, you can disassemble it after the holidays and reuse it next year. You can easily use the same $4 wreath for 3-4 seasons or more.
You can even add some battery powered lights and really make it sparkle.
🎄 Decorating a Christmas wreath from start to finish is satisfying, budget-friendly, and beautiful.
I’d love to see your creations! If you decorate a Christmas wreath this year, share what greenery or accents you used in the comments. Let’s swap ideas and inspire each other!
Bonus Tips on Decorating a Christmas Wreath
Here are a few extra tips on what greens to use and how to care for your handmade fresh Christmas wreath.
Recommended Greens to Use:
- Pine
- Cedar
- Magnolia
- Boxwood
- Smilax
- Ligustrum
- Gardenia
- English ivy
- Holly
How to Care for Your Wreath:
Your fresh handmade Christmas wreath will last most of the season if cared for properly. In colder climates it will age more slowly, however if cared for properly, even in warm regions your fresh wreath will stay lovely.
Keep a spray bottle nearby and mist your wreath regularly (3-5 times a week) throughout the season for it to stay as fresh as possible. Put the nozzles on mist and give your wreath a good drink. It doesn’t need to be drenched, but let the water bead up.
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