Once the tree is up and the house is mostly decorated, making your own Christmas wreath can be a fun project for the family, and the end result is usually a beautiful piece that can be displayed prominently for visitors to enjoy. There are so many different types of Christmas wreaths that your imagination is truly the limit when you create your own. In this article, we’ll cover a few of the basics you should know for making a beautiful and unique holiday wreath this year.
The first question to ask yourself is whether you want a wreath made of live materials. If you choose real greenery, the wreath will have to be disposed of at the end of the season, as the needles begin to dry out. On the other hand, if you use artificial greenery, your creation can be stored away and used again year after year. Don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to the evergreen look, either. There are many other non-traditional material choices that make fun and unique wreaths, perfect for catching your visitors’ eyes and starting a conversation.
Some alternative material choices for holiday wreaths might include ornaments, firm gingerbread or sugar cutout cookies, or even dried tree or grape vine branches tied together. Another option is to purchase an inexpensive Styrofoam base and then cover it with any other material of your choice, such as ribbons, leaves, buttons, beads, or pearls. The type of base material you use can also be a great way to establish a decorating theme.
A themed Christmas wreath is ideal if you have a particular room of the house where you want to display it, or if you want to reflect a certain aspect of your personality, such as a favorite hobby or your profession. For example, someone who enjoys cooking or baking could created a themed wreath to display in their kitchen, using items such as empty spice containers, small kitchen utensils, and cookie cutters as decorations. For wreaths that will be displayed in an office or place of business, try to create something that is indicative of the type of work you do. For example, an accountant might use fun decorations like pencils, calculators, and miscellaneous faux tax receipts and notes.
Assuming you’ve used non-perishable materials, you’ll need to find a safe place to store your new Christmas wreath after the holidays are over. Many people simply put their wreaths in cardboard boxes, or cover them with a plastic garbage bag before depositing them in a closet or storage room. However, these are not the best options. For starters, cardboard won’t keep dust and dirt away. Cardboard boxes also tend to attract insects and wick up moisture. Plastic bags, while they do keep the dust off, won’t prevent your wreaths from being crushed in storage. A far better option is a sealed storage container. Even better, consider investing in a special storage box or bag that’s specifically designed for storing wreaths. With the time and money that you’ve put into creating your new wreath, it’s worth the small investment to keep it protected so you can enjoy it for many years to come.
No matter what your choices for your Christmas wreath, making it yourself is a fun and family friendly activity to celebrate the holiday season. With a little imagination, anyone can create an end product that is unique and reflects their own tastes, personality, and sense of style.
