Wreaths made of fresh, green pine boughs and decorated with a red ribbon become ubiquitous in the winter months. Winter wreaths, however, do not have to fit one mold, nor do they need to be thrown away and purchased again at the start of each holiday season. Creating a winter wreath that can last for years, and be hung in the home throughout the winter season, makes a better use of resources while providing a greater flexibility in home décor.
Wreath Making Supplies
While the style of wreath being created will dictate the ornaments and decorations used, there are several elements that will be helpful in designing and creating any wreath. Before beginning, be sure to have the basic ring that the wreath will be constructed from, as well as a hot glue gun, wire and ribbon.
The wreath base can be made of a green, florist ring, three strands of wire, loosely braided together and formed into a circle, or a pre-made ring of branches or twigs. Any of these supplies can be found at most craft stores, along with most decorative materials, such as clay, glue, sparkles, acrylic paint and iridescent medium.
Making an Ornament Wreath
An ornament wreath can be created of pre-made ornaments, or ornaments that are made at home. If using a green florist ring, be sure to have plenty of additional wire, as well as thin, green florists sticks; these will be used to mount the ornaments to the ring by first wiring the ornament to the stick, and then pushing the stick deep into the Styrofoam to hold it. Rings made of twigs, or twisted wire can use either hot glue, or wire to mount the ornaments.
Create a background for the ornaments to sit in by using holly leaves, pine needles on the florist ring, or the braided wire; the twig ring can be its own base if desired. Wrap the bottoms of ornaments in wire, and cement the wire in place with a small amount of hot glue, and then use the wire to thread the ornaments onto the ring.
Glass bulb ornaments can be lightly coated in thin, white glue, and then rolled in sparkles for a glittering effect, or left plain and mixed with ornaments of birds, small stockings, and fruits. Oven-baked or air-dried clay can be used to form basic shapes, which, once dry, can be painted and rolled in sparkles to create apples, oranges and bows. Create ribbon ornaments by tying a length of wide, red velvet ribbon into bows, and wiring them to the wreath at intervals.
Be sure to pack the wreath tightly together with its background elements first, and then scatter the ornaments throughout. To ensure the proper placement, do a dry layout before securing the ornaments to the wreath.
Making a Pinecone Wreath
Pinecone wreaths are popular items of home décor in the winter. To create one, gather together several pinecones of various shapes and sizes and hang upside down to dry, and open. When the pinecones are dry, mix white acrylic paint with iridescent medium, and paint just the inside tips of the open pinecone. This will create a shimmering, snowy look. Use fresh or artificial pine boughs and secure them to the wreath with wire for the background. Then wire the painted pinecones at various intervals through the wreath, and finish with a bow at the bottom.
Making a Candy Wreath
Candy wreaths are fun gift ideas for family with children. Create any style of wreath, with ribbons, pinecones or ornaments, and take brightly colored, wrapped hard candies and chocolates, gluing one end of the twist wrap into the wreath, and allowing the other end to remain free for the recipient to open. The candy wrappers can remain in the wreath, as the candy is opened, allowing the wreath to remain as decoration throughout the season, until the candy is depleted.
If unable to find candies pre-wrapped in brightly colored packaging, try wrapping pieces of chocolate and hard candy in small pieces of brightly color foil.
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Making Ribbon Wreath
To create a ribbon wreath, gather together a green, florist ring, two or three ribbons of different colors, textures and widths, and some hot glue. Begin by taking the dominate color of ribbon, and wrapping it around the ring, securing the ends with hot glue. Next, take the thinner, contrasting colors, such as gold on red, and twine them around the first color, attaching small bows of each color to the corners, to finish, allowing the ends of the ribbons to hang down.
Winter wreaths can be hung indoors or outdoors to decorate and enhance any home décor for the winter and holiday seasons. Create one as a family, for a fun, weekend activity, or make several small wreaths to distribute as gifts. Add personal touches, and colors to each wreath and celebrate the winter season in style.
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