How To: Make Your Own Holiday Wreath

Three years ago I bought a faux boxwood wreath that I have dressed up for holidays and as general seasonal decor every month since then. As an avid collector of all items, I am often able to put together unique wreath designs using things I already have on hand - with the occasional splurge. (Looking at you Santa Paws sign.) The following guide gives some tips and pointers on assembly your own wreath. Think of this less as a step by step guide to creating a duplicate of the wreath pictured, and more as inspiration for creating a bit of holiday charm that is all your own.

I started with the following items: my trusty boxwood wreath, a wooden sign from target’s dollar section, two bundles of faux succulents, and a Sugar Paper LA bow. This wreath is going to hang on my apartment door - it’s not outdoors and doesn’t have to brave the elements. Keep in mind whether your wreath will have to deal with snow, rain, heat, etc. or if it’s an indoor decoration.

I first attached the sign to the wreath by attaching a rubber band through it’s ribbon and then hooking it on to the back hook (the part that will hang off the door. I have to be mindful of keeping the peep hole of my door clear so I needed the sign to hang down a bit more than it’s ribbon alone would. Next I attached the bundles of succulents using those little twist-ties that come on bread and bagels. I highly suggest holding on to those - you never know when they will be handy to have. I also attached the bow between the two bundles using a longer twist-tie. You want to attach ornaments to the wreath by tying them to a significant amount of wreath / leaves, that way they won’t just fall off and can withstand the closing and opening of doors.

I ended up making a small adjustment to the sign by stapling a red ribbon to the back so I could tie it around the wreath. It makes it just a bit steadier so when I kick the door open because it sticks it won’t bang against the wreath constantly. You want to go for a good mix of both aesthetic and functionality. The wreath needs to be able to stay in one piece all holiday season!

The great thing about this project is that you can make it work for you. I don’t have to figure out how to store different wreaths for different seasons and I use a lot of the same pieces over again or in different places throughout my house. Every piece gets used.

Happy holidays and happy decorating!

— Sami Clements