Make Your Own Christmas Wreath
By Herta and Anna Kingdom

Christmas is a great time to do something creative and I love using natural, local, and free materials to brighten up the home. Why not go foraging and create your own unique wreath to adorn the front door and create a festive welcome?

Materials you’ll need:
- Sharp scissors or secateurs
- String or thin wire wrapped around peg
- Wreath base (see step 1)
- Foliage

Step 1: Make a wreath base
I often find long bits of hazel, willow or dogwood in the woods. These can be bent round and round to make a round base, and then tied with string. There is a bit of a knack to it, but give it a few goes and it does not need to be a perfect circle. Alternatives are any kind of round structure/ring you can find.

Step 2: Go foraging
Go for a walk in the park or local woods. Look in your own garden or visit a friend’s if you don’t have one. Foliage that keeps well is often fairly firm and includes all conifers, eucalyptus, yew, and holly. To avoid holly prickles, pick from higher up or use gloves.

Step 3: Prepare the materials
It helps if you cut all the greenery into lengths of about 10cm in advance, and remove leaves from the bottom, ready to use. Place the foliage into little bunches.

Step 4: Start
Tie the string round the base to start and then lay a bunch against your ring. Secure by winding the string/wire around it. Take another bunch and lay it slightly further along. Again, secure with the string/wire. Carry on all the way round.

Step 5: A neat end
Once you get all the way round, tuck the stems of the last bunch under the ends of the first bunch. Tie a strong knot to finish off. You may be able to see the join but probably nobody else will notice!

Step 6: Final adornments
Even at this stage, extra bits of foliage or berries can be pushed in amongst the rest. You can also add bows, pinecones or baubles.

And … display the wreath on your front door for all to see.

Two extra tips:
1) Spray your wreath with water every day or so to keep it fresh for as long as possible.

2) I always use cut-offs from my Christmas tree.

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