For The Press | In The 'Nac | Advertise | About Us | Contact Us | Newsletter | Upload Photos to the Fridge
Garden Article Archives
Mow to Retard Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Prune Trees, Wean, Potty Train » View more Best Days
Re: Can you help me with gardening?
Thanks! I'll see if i can find a...
Making Your Own Natural Holiday Wreath
© Deborah S. Tukua
www.hollycreekbooks.com
Next time you walk around your neighborhood, look around. You may find ingredients for a natural holiday wreath.
The structure of the wreath – the actual undecorated wreath – can be bought at a local craft store, or the adventurous can fashion it from grapevines or willow twigs. But what really makes the wreath is its decorations -- and those are limited only by your imagination.
Here are some suggestions
- Pinecones and hemlock cones
- Cotton bolls
- Sweet gum seed balls
- Nuts in the shell: hickory, pecan, walnuts, or others
To make a Holiday wreath, first get your undecorated wreath. Then, gather enough materials from the list above to cover its front and sides. Other needed materials are
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Newspaper or disposable tablecloth
- 1 can white or gold spray paint (optional)
- Coordinating ribbon tied into a bow (white, red, or gold is usually preferred)
- Floral wire
Here’s how it’s done
- Cover the surface of your work table with newspapers or a disposable tablecloth. This will protect your table from the hot glue, and make cleanup easy.
- Using the hot glue gun, affix glue to one side of the balls, nuts or cones.
- Press the objects into place on your wreath as closely together as possible. Hold each object into place for a few moments until the glue has set.
- Continuing gluing and positioning the cones, etc. until your wreath is completely covered.
- Optional step: Take your wreath outdoors and lay it on a newspaper. Using the spray paint, spray it the desired color. Allow the paint time to dry. Gold paint yields a festive, holiday flair. White paint resembles a snow-covered winter palate. Left unpainted, the natural brown wreath gives a rustic country mood.
- Using thin floral wire, affix the bow to your wreath, either at the center-top or center-bottom.
- Optional: To add to the natural look, attach a life-like artificial bird to the wreath.


