A Guide to Handmade Winter Wreaths: Elevated DIY Decor

Nov 26

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Embrace the winter season by bringing the beauty of your garden into your home with a handmade winter wreath. In a recent wreath-making class in my greenhouse on a sunny autumn afternoon, Tracy from Bella Botanica delved into the art of creating a charming wreath using foraged items from the garden. We explored the foundational steps of styling a wreath and let our creativity run wild. The real magic unfolded in the embellishment stage, where we adorned our wreaths with beautiful items harvested from the garden. The result? Unique and personalized wreaths that celebrate the season and add a touch of natural elegance to any space. Read on for the steps and creative process behind crafting your very own garden-inspired winter wreath.

Tracy started the class with 14” grapevine wreaths. The first thing she had us do was cut off the outermost grapevine that was woven around the wreath. This way, we could pull the vines apart a little bit, creating some volume in the wreath and making it look a little wilder (very appropriate for a foraged wreath 😉).

Before you start adding any decorative items, decide ahead of time where you want to place your bow. Tracy taught us that it’s helpful to think of your wreath like a clock. It’s visually appealing to off-center your bow by just a bit, so consider placing your bow at 7 o’clock for a wreath built up from the bottom, or 1 o’clock for a wreath with the focus at the top. Or, if you prefer a symmetrical look, you could stick to 12 or 6.

Once you decide where you want to place your bow, build up the surrounding area with fresh greens, so you have a pretty backdrop for your bow.

You could easily purchase a premade bow, or if you prefer to have more customizability with your ribbon choice, you can tie your own. Either way, Tracy recommends attaching the bow to the wreath with a piece of floral wire to ensure that the bow stays exactly in place throughout the season.

Then let your creativity reign supreme! Add in natural details wherever it feels right. Here are the natural elements I supplied from my own garden: dried eucalyptus, straw flowers, bunny tail, baptisia, and dried poppy pods. Plus, we freshly foraged pinecones and pine greens.

When you build your wreath remember, you can always pull out pieces and replace items. So, don’t get too worried about perfection on your first try! If you want a little more guidance, here are a few more tips and tricks Tracy taught us:

1. If you are using fresh greens in your wreath: spray them your finished wreath with a preservative like Wilt Stop. This keeps your greens fresher longer, even if you display your wreath indoors.

2. If you plan to hang your wreath outdoors, make sure you either weave all your decorative elements into the wreath or attach them with wire rather than glue. Most adhesives don’t fare well in cold temps, and you don’t want to lose any of your natural garden details!

3. Faux details like fake berry sprigs will also react to colder temperatures. Many berry sprigs at craft stores like Michaels are made with styrofoam, which will pop in the cold.

4. Save your grapevine wreath for next year! At the season’s end, pull out all the natural elements and save your wreath to redecorate next year. As you dismantle this season’s wreath, I invite you to ponder: what garden plants will you grow to decorate your wreath next year?

P.S. If you make a garden-inspired wreath, I want to see it! Tag me on Instagram so I can celebrate & share your creativity 🤍 @katiemoglesby