Festive Foraging - Make Your Own Natural Christmas Wreath
- victoria ward
- Dec 14
- 2 min read
Getting out into the countryside at this time of year is essential for both physical and mental well-being, although it can be tempting to hibernate and stay in the warm, a foraging journey is fun and festive. As the sun was shining today, I put on my wellies and gardening gloves, and ventured out into the garden and fields beyond armed with secateurs to see what I could forage to make a christmas wreath.
What Plants Can I Use To Make A Christmas Wreath ?
Whatever you can find! Gloves are essential to protect from thorns, some people may be sensitve to certain plants too but it is important to know your plants as you will have to handle the plant material ungloved. Obviously avoid poisonous plants like yew, or those likely to cause sensitivity, ivy for instance can cause allergic reactions in the form of contact dermatitis in some people.
Above are the plants I found, some are from the garden and others, truly wild. I look for anything interesting- dried flowerheads, berries and evergreen leaves. To make a full-looking wreath you need plenty of greenery like the laurel or fir to bulk out the wreath and cover the frame. This greenery forms the base to which the other material is added.
Consider evergreens such as pine, conifer, cypress and laurel. Add herbs such as eucalyptus, rosemary, sage and bay. Dried flowers and seed heads can look really good including honesty and hydrangea flowers. Shrubs that are flowering now include viburnum and winter jasmine. Berried shrubs such as holly and pryacantha always look fantastic.
What Tools Do I Need To Make A Christmas Wreath?
Secateurs
Gloves
Bag
Frame
Floristry wire
Ribbon
Step-by-step Christmas Wreath Making
Assemble all your material
Start to add the base layer of greenery until the frame is well-covered, securing with the floristry wire and winding around the frame
Build layers with, leaving berried material or pine cones until the end
Add ribbon if using
Practice Run
If you are not sure about the design or the look you are after, try some mock-ups. Add material without securing it with the wire, even if you do secure with wire, you can always undo. The best thing is to keep looking at the wreath and adding more if you want it, dont be too precious and do not worry about getting stuck in and manipulating the foliage- you will not cause much too much damage, worst case a few lost berries.
Finished Product - Foraged Christmas Wreath
Once you are happy with the look of your wreath, secure all the material in well and add ribbon if you want, for decoration and/or to hang the wreath up with. Mine turned out alright, probably there are much better but I enjoyed getting out and making a big mess in my kitchen!! Enjoy and merry christmas x
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