Great Ideas for Christmas Wreaths

Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai

Fiery

Clusters of yellow-orange kumquats and a few green citrus leaves add contrast to a red Leucadendron base. Dried palm stems provide a dash of orange. The colors are evocative of Christmas without being too Christmas-y.

Design by Zenaida Sengo of Flora Grubb Gardens and floral designer Susie Nadler of Cutting Garden; sold by Flora Grubb

Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai

Shimmery

A base of silver Leucadendron gives this wreath silky highlights and a metallic sheen that catches the light. Plum Sempervivum, pale purple Kalanchoe cuttings, and green rosemary sprigs stud the base.

Design by Zenaida Sengo of Flora Grubb Gardens and floral designer Susie Nadler of Cutting Garden; sold by Flora Grubb

Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai

Frosty

Lichen-covered walnut branch prunings from an orchard north of San Francisco form this wreath. The branch ends are wired together into a circle, then the wreath is dressed up with gray and pink Tillandsia (aka air plants).

Design by Zenaida Sengo of Flora Grubb Gardens and floral designer Susie Nadler of Cutting Garden; sold by Flora Grubb

Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai

Soft

Lichen-covered walnut branch prunings from an orchard north of San Francisco form this wreath. The branch ends are wired together into a circle, then the wreath is dressed up with gray and pink Tillandsia (aka air plants).

Design by Zenaida Sengo of Flora Grubb Gardens and floral designer Susie Nadler of Cutting Garden; sold by Flora Grubb

Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Miranda Jones

Crafty

Textile artist Jennifer June, whose former Seattle store, Hermitage, stocked under-the-radar wallpaper, adds punch to her wreath by crafting a mini mountainscape. Green—the dominant color of the Northwest— is the base for silkscreened balsa-wood trees and snowcapped mountains. Jennifer also cut forsythia blooms from felt, providing a cheerful pop of color—something to appreciate during the long days of winter. jejejune.com

Materials: Douglas fir, cedar, and forsythia branches, felt, balsawood sheets and dowels, silk-screening materials, hot glue, wire, wire frame.

Tip: Instead of a balanced, uniform wreath, create a scene in one section.

Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Miranda Jones

Beachy

The creations that Heather Pando makes for her L.A. design studio , Little World Design, use botanicals in a whimsical fashion—a style translated to this wreath. One of Heather’s favorite sights is springtime magnolia blossoms framed against the sky. “The effect is very dreamlike, and I wanted to re-create that for the holidays,” she says. With her team—including Manuel Acosta, who put together this piece—she fashioned “blossoms” out of scallop shells and glued them to a manzanita frame that resembles driftwood. littleworlddesign.com

Materials: Manzanita branches, scallop shells, pink rock quartz, sea fans (gorgonian), hot glue.

Tip: Create a traditional embellishment (flowers) from untraditional materials (shells and rocks).

Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Miranda Jones

Woodsy

People seek out Montana interior designer Kate Ledford for her uncanny ability to decorate using items they already own. “I always look for found items wherever I go, and I like to recultivate things in unexpected ways,” she says—which explains her collection of deer antlers, accumulated while foraging in the forest (deer shed them naturally). She decided they’d be the perfect foundation for her wreath: an iconic “found” Western emblem, used in a surprising way. housedesignstudio.net

Materials: Antlers, pheasant and quail feathers, dried berries, painted straw snowflakes, twigs, heavy wire.

Tip: Use materials with contrasting textures to create interest.

Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Miranda Jones

Foraged

We first met this rising star when he was working at Flora Grubb Gardens in San Francisco; since then, Hank Jenkins has evolved into a “plant architect” (his words) , designing outdoor spaces in the Bay Area through his firm, Lushland. To get this wreath project kickstarted, he simply took a walk. “What’s here is what grabbed my attention in my own garden and on hikes.” Despite the fresh take on materials, he keeps the color palette traditional with green eucalyptus pods and red pincushions (leucospermum). lushlanddesign.com

Materials: Eucalyptus pods and leaves, lotus pods, leucospermum, floral foam, floral pins.

Tip: To prolong the freshness of a live wreath, keep the foam moist.

Thomas J. Story

Christmas wreath from the garden

A wreath of Ponderosa pine, Oregon grape, wolf lichen, and redtwig dogwood accents Patti Bosket’s Leavenworth, Washington, porch.

The land around the house yields plenty of material for wreath making. "I'm so impressed by nature," she says. "I love the look, feel, and texture of native plants. Nature inspires my designs."

Get her wreath-making tips

Thomas J. Story

Dramatic outdoor focal point

This 3-foot-wide redtwig dogwood wreath turns an outdoor log shed into an eye-catcher.

Nearly any deciduous tree or shrub with colored bark will work in wreaths including coral bark maple (salmon or orange) and paper birch (white).

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Thomas J. Story

Cedar snowflake

This feathery cedar wreath lends informal cheer to your front door. The completed snowflake is finished with silvery dusty miller and eucalyptus pods.

You’ll need six 7-inch cedar sprigs, and three 18-in. pieces of floral wire. Lay two sprigs end to end on an 18-in piece of 20 gauge floral wire (make a hanging loop on one end) Wrap the sprig and wire with 22-gauge wire. Complete two more sprigs on floral wire and twist wreath together. Embellish as you like.

More how-to help

Thomas J. Story

Snowflakes on chairs

A trio of snowflake ornaments embellishes the backs of these dining chairs. Send greenery home as a party favor with each guest.

These snowflake chair backs are decorated with eucalyptus buds and pods, silvery dusty miller, and the serrated leaves of grevillea.

Thomas J. Story

Snowflakes in window

Use the natural patterns of Douglas fir sprigs to create elegant ornaments for a window display.

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James Carrier

Fir and eucalyptus pods

Readymade garlands and wreaths, with a few natural embellishments of your own, turn a porch into a grand entrance. This one features fir boughs and eucalyptus pods.

Zoom in on the wreath next.

James Carrier

Fir and eucalyptus pods

Eucalyptus branches and pods impart a blue glow to a simple fir wreath.

Start with a purchased 24-inch conifer wreath. Add bunches of eucalyptus pods with floral wire.

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James Carrier

Easy and understated

This noble fir wreath’s dense needles appear to have captured falling magnolia leaves. Hazelnuts or any local nuts add another touch of autumn.

Start with a purchased wreath and use your imagination and local resources to make your own memorable creations infused with a sense of place.

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Thomas J. Story

Wreath for a garden gate

To welcome family and friends, hang an evergreen wreath from a ribbon that coordinates with the flowers and foliage. Tie the ribbon to a gate, or hang several wreaths at different heights from tree branches.

Thomas J. Story

Bay and rosemary wreath

Bay and rosemary leaves form a wreath that holds its fragrance for more than a week. The effect is fresh and welcoming.

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Thomas J. Story

Eucalyptus wreath

Silvery green Eucalyptus polyanthemos leaves and berrylike flower buds dry well.

"I especially like simple, monochromatic wreaths made entirely from one material and accented with a satin ribbon for hanging," says Nordthern California designer Mercedes Feller.

Fragrant bay leaves and sculptural oak branches are among her favorite indigenous materials. The effect is fresh and welcoming ― seasonal decor that showcases the bounty of the landscape.

Four steps to the perfect wreath

Elegant outdoor wreath

A fir garland and wreath with bright nandina berries brings the holidays to the patio.

Create a matching garland by grouping several berry stems and attaching them to the center with floral wire.

Photos by Thomas J. Story

Bold and beautiful

This special-occasion wreath made of carnations can last 2 or more weeks outdoors. Keep the blooms fresh by soaking the foam core with floral preservative and giving them a spritz from a water bottle every now and then.

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James Carrier

Garland of cedar, bark, and moss

A garland of cedar, eucalyptus bark and dried moss frames a simple purchased wreath.

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James Carrier

Fir and carnations

Miniature carnations and spiky fir needles create a wreath that's both fragrant and strikingly elegant.

Make multiples and put on chair backs for a special dinner party.

Thomas J. Story

Southwestern ranch wreath

A manzanita wreath decorated with moss, canella berries and proteas acts as a centerpiece for this holiday entry. Lights on the yuccas and pillar candles in aloe vera pots add a warm glow.

See the wreath up close next.

Thomas J. Story

Proteas wreath

Spanish moss, canella berries, and pincushion proteas make a simple manzanita wreath special.

To keep the pincushion proteas fresh, put their stems in floral water tubes. Insert tubes in wreath, hiding tubes with moss, twigs, or other greenery.

Thomas J. Story

Northwest harvest wreath

Washington apples and prunings of bloodtwig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) brighten a wreath and garland of cedar and Douglas fir prunings.

See the wreath up close next.

Thomas J. Story

Harvest season wreath

Use a wire wreath frame and attach 8-inch-long cedar and Douglas fir clippings, working counterclockwise.

Tuck in 8- to 10- inch dogwood prunings. Make a hole through an apple segment, pass an 8-inch wire through fruit and wrap around greenery and frame, twisting ends together.

More how-to tips

Thomas J. Story

California citrus

Winter is the time for citrus in California; pair garden cuttings of kumquats with salal and boxwood.

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28 beautiful Christmas wreath ideas

Fiery

Shimmery

Frosty

Soft

Crafty

Beachy

Woodsy

Foraged

Christmas wreath from the garden

Dramatic outdoor focal point

Cedar snowflake

Snowflakes on chairs

Snowflakes in window

Fir and eucalyptus pods

Fir and eucalyptus pods

Easy and understated

Wreath for a garden gate

Bay and rosemary wreath

Eucalyptus wreath

Elegant outdoor wreath

Bold and beautiful

Garland of cedar, bark, and moss

Fir and carnations

Southwestern ranch wreath

Proteas wreath

Northwest harvest wreath

Harvest season wreath

California citrus