Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Subscribe
Save Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 35 One-Pan Meals Just Right for Dinner Tonight

      One pan, pot, skillet, or Instant Pot is all you need to for these no-fuss family dinners, including salmon, pasta, pot roast, chili, and so much more. Read More Next
    • The Best 2021 Bedroom Paint Colors

      Explore the best 2021 bedroom paint colors, according to paint experts. Read More Next
    • The Ultimate Guide to Household Cleaning: What You Should Be Cleaning When

      Our printable checklists will tell you what you should be doing every day, week, month, season—or every once in a while—to keep your home in ship-shape year round. Read More Next
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See all FOOD

    Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners

    When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. All can be made in 45 minutes or less.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See all HOLIDAYS

    25 Heart-Shaped Treats to Send to Your Valentine

    Sure, flowers are nice, but homemade food gifts are the sweetest tokens of affection—especially when they're heart-shaped.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See all ENTERTAINING

    The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year

    Get inspired to make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See all HOME

    How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts

    Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See all GARDENING

    How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Winter

    Help them thrive even when the temperature drops.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor

    You likely wash your hands several times a day, but are you doing so effectively? Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See all WEDDINGS

    How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See all DIY

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home

    Start by carving out a designated work area in your space.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See all LIFE

    How to Start a Virtual Book Club

    From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice.
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Holiday Planning & Ideas
  3. Christmas
  4. Christmas Garlands & Wreaths
  5. How to Make a Wreath in Any Style

How to Make a Wreath in Any Style

Updated December 23, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Kathryn Barnard

Making a stunning  wreath is simple, just gather the right supplies, seasonal embellishments, and a large dose of holiday spirit.

Start Slideshow

1 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Credit: Kathryn Barnard

Wreaths are made to celebrate the cycles of nature and all life. And from the beginning, our editors have strived to take wreaths beyond their traditional holiday association.

Over the years, we have created scores of other gorgeous wreaths to adorn walls and doors and hang over mantels. These wreaths have been made with all sorts of materials—natural evergreens, straw, pinecones, coffee filters, Christmas ornaments, even fresh cranberries (one of Martha's favorite wreaths of all time).

Wreaths are most often associated with Christmas, but they make beautiful decorations year-round. In fall, a door adorned with a pinecone wreath looks warm and inviting. In winter, a cranberry wreath offers a colorful contrast to white skies and bare trees. Satin rosebuds arranged on a ribbon-wrapped wreath add delicate detail to springtime events. And, in the summer, seashells in all shapes and sizes can be collected from the shoreline for an oceanfront beach house. Fabricate new wreaths using some materials that you have not included before: crystals, wired ribbons tied into bows, golden leaf stickers, and even dried sweet-gum seed pods. After a walk in the woods, try creating a wreath of cedar boughs you've gathered, or make a wreath using seashells you've collected at the beach. With a little imagination, you can create memorable decorations year-round. The wreaths are beautiful to hang indoors or out, and they're nonperishable, so you can use them year after year.

Here, we demonstrate our editors' tips and techniques that created some of our favorites from over the years; hopefully to inspire a wreath of your own.

  • Enter Our 30 Days of Giveaways!

1 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Wreath-Making Supplies

Credit: Barnard & Meyer

Why not keep a container filled with wreath-making supplies, which makes it convenient to experiment with seasonal materials? Our editors use a variety of tools and materials. For attaching materials to your wreath's form, use floral wire of various gauges on paddles (in the color green if using greenery or other wire such as copper or brass). You can also use floral tape in various colors, twine, floral pins and straight pins in different sizes, and craft glue.

For shaping greenery, use pruning shears or miniature snips. Wire snips are, of course, sharpest for cutting wire. Needle-nose pliers are ideal for reaching into tight crevices. To hang your wreath, you will need monofilament (also known as fishing line) for a seamless, no-show look. Or try raffia and ribbon for a bold, bright display. Hanging hardware, including picture hooks, D rings, screw eyes, and nails are all handy to have for your project. A last necessity: work gloves to avoid sticky sap and prickly needles from evergreen.

2 of 11

3 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Making a Grapevine Wreath

Credit: Barnard & Meyer

A grapevine wreath form is made of entwined bundles of twigs, popular for being one of the sturdiest bases that comes with natural charm.

To make it: Using shears, cut embellishments (pictured here: juniper sprigs, eucalyptus pods, caspia, and snowberries) into 6-to-8-inch-long pieces. Cluster them into bunches, attaching to the base of the wreath with wire.

3 of 11

Advertisement

4 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Making a Wire Wreath

Credit: Bryan Gardner

A wire wreath form is the most versatile support for wreaths. Widely available in a variety of shapes, they're sturdy enough for heavy materials like evergreen boughs and citrus fruits. A single-wire frame is best for a thin, delicate wreath; for a lush-looking wreath, start with a double-wire frame.

To make it: Lay a small bundle of greenery on the form, and wrap floral wire on a paddle tightly around the stems three times. Do not cut the wire. Add another bundle, overlapping the previous one by half; wrap wire around the stems. Continue adding bundles until you reach the starting point. (For this wreath, we used sprigs of bay or eucalyptus, but you can use other evergreen cuttings. We also used a pair of bolt cutters to remove a portion of wreath form and closed off the ends with wire.) Tuck wire under the form, secure with a knot, and cut using wire cutters. When the entire form is covered, tie off the wire, leaving a few extra inches before cutting the end.

4 of 11

5 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Making a Styrofoam Wreath

Credit: Matthew Williams

A Styrofoam wreath form is lightweight with a smooth rounded form—ideal for a wreath that you want to cover that will not hold weight on it's own. It can be covered with fabric, yarn, and any other material.

To make it: Spray-paint the form or cover with fabric. Then, use straight pins to adhere embellishments (as shown here with crystal pieces) by pressing a pin through the embellishment into the soft base beneath. Repeat, placing embellishments as close together as you can and using smaller ones on top to fill in gaps. (Don't worry if they are not all flush—this creates dimension.)

5 of 11

6 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Making a Straw Wreath

Credit: Emily Kate Roemer

A straw wreath is made with padded natural straw or hay to create a full, rounded base that can support a variety of materials. Leaves, dried flowers, or even clamshells can then be pinned or glued onto the soft form—although a straw wreath is so beautiful, you may want to hang it on its own.

To make it: Use floral pins to attach embellishments (near their stems) to the straw form in tight clusters. Continue until the form is completely covered.

6 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Making a Craft Ring Wreath

Credit: Bryan Gardner

A craft ring is a circular cardboard base that's thin yet sturdy and easy-to-use in all kinds of wreath projects.

To make it: First spray paint it in a new color, if desired. (We spray-painted ours shown here in silver to match the appliqués.) Then, adhere lightweight embellishments to the front with heavy-duty glue or by drilling into its base.

7 of 11

8 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Hanging a Wreath

Here's How to Hang a Wreath Without Making Holes

Spread holiday joy by displaying your wreath on a door or molding, for all to see. To avoid creating unsightly holes in walls or woodwork, suspend wreath from the top of a door or molding with either a length of sturdy ribbon or monofilament (the monofilament's packaging should list how much weight it will support).

To hang, cut a piece of ribbon (at least 3 inches wide) or monofilament long enough so that, when the ribbon or monofilament is doubled, the wreath will hang at the desired height. Loop the ribbon or monofilament around the back of the wreath form (or pin it, in the case of Styrofoam or straw forms). If using ribbon, fold the edges over 1/2 inch, and secure to the top of the door or molding with a few flat, heavy-duty thumbtacks (available at hardware stores). If using monofilament, knot the ends of the doubled-up string and use a tack to secure the string to the top of the door or the molding. To hang particularly heavy wreaths with ribbon, first hang with monofilament to support the bulk of the weight, and then attach the ribbon as a decorative detail.

Command strips and magnetic hooks are both ideal products for hanging a wreath. And an adjustable wreath hanger will hook over the door or frame.

8 of 11

9 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Tying a Wreath Bow

Learn About Tying a Wreath Bow

Some wreaths don't seem complete until they are finished off with a large, lavish bow. A crisp ribbon will make the nicest bow; grosgrain, satin, taffeta, and velvet are all good choices. It can be styled in a number of ways from a fluffy rosette to a minimalist draping.

9 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Decorating a Wreath with Fruit

Oven-dried orange slices, cranberry garlands, and seasonal spices emit a warm aroma that's perfect for an evergreen wreath at Christmastime. Try bundling cinnamon sticks, star anise, or adding cloves to decorative pomanders. For longevity, mist your regularly and display it outdoors on your front door.

10 of 11

11 of 11

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

How-To: Decorate A Wreath

11 of 11

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 11
2 of 11 Wreath-Making Supplies
3 of 11 Making a Grapevine Wreath
4 of 11 Making a Wire Wreath
5 of 11 Making a Styrofoam Wreath
6 of 11 Making a Straw Wreath
7 of 11 Making a Craft Ring Wreath
8 of 11 Hanging a Wreath
9 of 11 Tying a Wreath Bow
10 of 11 Decorating a Wreath with Fruit
11 of 11 How-To: Decorate A Wreath

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Shop | Martha Stewart

  • Cookware Sets
  • Living Room Furniture
  • Area Rugs
  • Garden Tools
  • Dinnerware Sets
  • Patio Furniture
  • Window Treatments
  • Duvet Covers
  • Bakeware Sets
  • Craft Kits
  • Shop More Next

Martha Stewart may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website.

Martha Stewart

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service
  • Media Kit
  • Sitemap
  • Martha's Blog
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • FAQ
  • Corporate
  • International

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

View image

How to Make a Wreath in Any Style
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.