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How to make a living wreath

You don’t have to spend big bucks to celebrate in style. - by Tara Dennis
  • 14 Nov 2020

With the silly season around the corner, it’s time to start getting organised! Tara’s sharing some clever ideas to get you in the Christmas spirit. 

WATCH: Tara shows you how to make a living wreath - along with some other clever festive ideas!

Give your front door lots of festive love with a living wreath. With a simple embroidery hoop, and foliage and flower cuttings, you can create a beautiful decoration. The secret to making it last is to use wet floral foam for your greenery. And, if you use natives, it will add lovely Australian flavour to your Christmas season.

For you to note

Popular natives for wreaths include gumnuts, flowering gums and eucalyptus foliage. You can also use bottlebrush and Christmas bush.

Here’s how

Step 1

Trim plant cuttings to desired size using secateurs. You’ll need sprigs long enough to go around the embroidery hoop to the top, along with smaller and bushier sprigs to fill out the front of the wreath. Remove any foliage from the stem bases.

Step 2

Cut a section of floral foam in its plastic tray with scissors. Pour water onto foam until saturated (read product instructions). 

Step 3

How to make a living wreath: step 1

Step 3

Sue Ferris

Position foam section against inside of hoop where the tightening screw is. This will be the wreath base. Cut lengths of tie wire and wind around foam, twisting off to secure.

Step 4

How to make a living wreath step 4

Step 4

Sue Ferris

Insert a long foliage stem into one end of foam. 

Step 5

How to make living wreath step 5

Step 5

Sue Ferris

Use tie wire to tie foliage around the hoop.

Step 6

How to make a living wreath step 6

Step 6

Sue Ferris

Insert foliage into other end of foam, and tie around hoop. Continue inserting stems into both ends and tying to the hoop.

Step 7

How to make living wreath step 7

Step 7

Sue Ferris

Insert foliage and flower sprigs into foam top, then pour on more water.

Step 8

How to make a living wreath step 8

Step 8

Sue Ferris

Cut a length of florist twine at least 300mm long, double it and take looped end under and over hoop, then thread ends through and pull taut. Tie off ends to make a hanger. You can also skip the hanger, and place the wreath directly on a doorknob or hook.

Living wreath on front door

The stunning final result!

Sue Ferris

For more gorgeous Christmas craft ideas, pick up a copy of the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine in selected newsagents and supermarkets or buy online today!

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  • Decorating
  • Craft
  • TV
  • Christmas Decorating, Tips & Traditions
Tara Dennis
Tara Dennis
On Channel Seven’s Better Homes and Gardens, Tara Dennis shares her interior style and design secrets, showing viewers how to transform their homes for less.

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