How-To

Holiday Carnation Wreath

Step aside, holly and mistletoe -- or at least make room for something new. The carnation is a surprisingly elegant and easygoing choice for holiday displays. This wreath of white flowers with burgundy-tipped edges offers a warm welcome.
Martha Stewart Living, Volume 133 December 2004


Tools and Materials

12-inch floral-foam wreath forms with plastic backing (12-inch for wreath)
Floral shears or scissors
Conditioned carnations, about 7 dozen
Glass ornaments with wire
Nails
2 yards ribbon

Wreath How-To
1. Immerse form in water for 20 minutes; let drain. Cut conditioned stems at an angle, 2 to 3 inches from the head. Push stems into foam, starting on top, and then the sides, spacing evenly and clustering together. Push ornaments in, if using.

2. To put a wreath on the wall, first hang it from a nail. (There should be a place for a nail on the back of the wreath form) Then add a decorative ribbon: Tie the ribbon into a bow, leaving 4 long tails. Hang the bow from a nail above the wreath, and tuck 2 tails behind wreath so the ribbon appears to be supporting the wreath.

3. To keep the flowers fresh, remove a wreath from its display every three days and soak in water for three minutes; let drain, and dry the plastic back with a towel before rehanging on the door.

Reviews (8)

  • Sheryll
    1 Dec, 2010

    I found this too expensive for me to make. So I will just limit myself to our long needle pine cones and stuff I can harvest for free from the yard or sidewalks.

  • Louweezee
    19 Jun, 2009

    "Conditioned" means soaked in floral preservatives.

  • tonyia
    5 Dec, 2008

    by conditioned i think that they mean the colored tips. there is an acutal spray to color flowers that florists use, and they would probably sell you, or you could buy at a craft store. or if the flowers are white to start with there is always soaking them ahead of time in tfood coloring and water. like the old celery science experiment trick.. as far as the color choice goes you could use any scheme not just red like they did.

  • mararules
    29 Nov, 2008

    Im addicted to this site..Im getting fat sitting here all the time! : )

  • karenzstuff
    22 Sep, 2008

    How long does this wreath last? Anyone.... it is beautiful!

  • bjhinokcok
    21 Sep, 2008

    I wish we could ZOOM in on the photos on this website.....

  • RhondaKPM
    7 Dec, 2007

    Conditioned carnations?

  • kristinowen
    13 Nov, 2007

    I just love new craft ideas