How To Make A Holly Wreath

Looking for a beautiful, traditional decoration you can make yourself? Learning how to make a holly wreath is a wonderful way to bring nature indoors and create a classic holiday symbol. It’s easier than you might think, and the results are stunning.

This project is perfect for beginners. With a few simple materials and some fresh greenery, you can craft a wreath that will last throughout the season. It’s a festive activity the whole family can enjoy.

Before you start, it’s helpful to understand the basic process. You’ll be attaching bundles of holly and other greenery to a circular frame. We’ll use a wire wreath form for stability. The key is to work in small sections, overlapping as you go.

What You’ll Need: Gathering Your Materials

Having everything ready before you begin makes the process smooth and enjoyable. You can find most of these items at garden centers, craft stores, or even in your own backyard.

A Wire Wreath Frame: A 12-inch or 14-inch double-ring metal frame is ideal. It provides a sturdy base and has prongs to hold the greenery in place.
Fresh Holly: This is your star ingredient! Look for branches with plenty of glossy, green leaves and bright red berries. English holly (Ilex aquifolium) is the classic choice.
Supporting Greenery: Holly can be prickly and sparse on its own. Mix in other evergreens like pine, fir, cedar, or boxwood for fullness and texture.
Florist’s Wire: A spool of green paddle wire (22-gauge is perfect) is essential for securing everything.
Pruning Shears or Sharp Scissors: For cutting and trimming branches.
Wire Cutters: To cut the florist’s wire.
Gloves: Holly leaves are prickly! A good pair of gardening gloves will protect your hands.
Ribbon for a Bow (optional): A wide, weatherproof ribbon adds a festive finishing touch.
Decorations (optional): Pine cones, cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, or small ornaments can be added later.

Choosing and Preparing Your Holly

If you’re cutting holly from your own garden, choose a cool morning to do it. The branches will be full of moisture. Use sharp shears to make clean cuts at an angle.

Once you have your branches, submerge them in a bucket of cool water for a few hours before you start. This allows them to drink up as much water as possible, which helps them stay fresh longer. Give them a gentle shake to remove any loose leaves or insects.

Prepare your other greenery the same way. Having a mix of textures—soft pine, feathery cedar, and glossy holly—creates a more interesting wreath. Cut all your branches into manageable pieces, about 6 to 8 inches long.

Step-by-Step Assembly Guide

Now for the fun part! Clear a workspace like a large table. Lay down some newspaper to catch any falling snippets. Put on your gloves, and let’s begin.

Secure the Wire: Attach the end of your spool of florist’s wire to the wreath frame. Wrap it tightly around one of the inner rings a few times. Don’t cut the wire from the spool; you’ll be using it continuously.
Make Your First Bunch: Take a few pieces of your supporting greenery (like pine) and layer a small piece of holly on top. This creates a mini bouquet. The holly should be positioned so the berries are visible.
Attach the Bunch: Place this bunch onto the frame, with the stem ends pointing clockwise. Hold it firmly against the frame where you attached your wire. Wrap the wire around the stems and the frame 3-4 times, pulling it tight to secure.
Create and Add the Next Bunch: Make another small bouquet. Place it on the frame so that it overlaps the stems of the first bunch, covering them completely. This is the key technique! Wrap with wire to secure.
Repeat the Process: Continue making small bunches and attaching them, always overlapping the previous stems. Work your way all around the frame. Try to keep the bunches a consistent size for an even look.
Fill in Gaps: Once you’ve gone all the way around, take a step back. Look for any thin spots or places where the frame is showing. Tuck in small sprigs of holly or other greenery into these gaps, and secure them with a little extra wire.
Finish and Secure: When you get back to the starting point, tuck the last bunch under the first one’s leaves. Wrap the wire tightly several times around the frame. Cut it from the spool and twist the end to secure. You can also weave the end into the greenery.
Add a Bow (Optional): Make a large, lush bow with your ribbon. Attach it to the wreath at the bottom using a separate piece of wire. This hides the joining point and adds a pop of color.
Attach a Hanger: Form a loop from a piece of wire and twist it securely around the back of the frame. Make sure it’s strong enough to hold the weight of the wreath.

Helpful Tips for a Professional Look

Always point the stems in the same direction (clockwise). This creates a natural, flowing appearance.
Don’t make your bunches too thick. Smaller, more frequent bunches give you better control and a smoother shape.
Vary the types of greenery in each bunch for a blended, cohesive look from the start.
If a berry falls off, you can use a tiny dab of hot glue to reattach it later.

Caring for Your Fresh Holly Wreath

To keep your wreath looking its best throughout the holidays, a little care is needed. Fresh wreaths will naturally dry over time, but these steps will slow that process.

Hang your wreath on an outdoor door that isn’t in direct sunlight all day. The heat from the sun will speed up drying. A north-facing door is often ideal. If you must hang it indoors, choose a cool spot away from heat vents and fireplaces.

Mist the back of the wreath lightly with water every couple of days, especially if you have a mild spell. Use a spray bottle and target the stem ends where they can absorb moisture. Avoid spraying any ribbons or decorations directly.

Adding Personal Decorations

Once your base wreath is complete, you can personalize it. This is a great way to use up leftover garden materials or craft supplies.

Wire small pine cones in clusters near the bow.
Add a few cinnamon sticks tied together with twine.
Incorporate dried orange slices or bay leaves for a rustic feel.
For a bit of sparkle, tuck in some weatherproof ornaments or a string of battery-operated fairy lights.

Attach everything with florist’s wire or hot glue. Remember, less is often more. You want to enhance the natural beauty of the holly, not overwhelm it.

Safety and Sustainable Foraging

Holly berries are poisonous to people and pets. If you have curious children or animals, you may want to place your wreath high up on a door they cannot reach. You can also make a beautiful wreath using berrry-less holly varieties, like blue holly (Ilex x meserveae).

If you are foraging for holly, always ask permission if it’s not on your property. Never take more than you need, and make clean cuts to avoid damaging the plant. It’s good practice to forage from several different plants rather than stripping one bare.

Sustainable harvesting ensures the plant stays healthy and can produce berries for wildlife, like birds, later in the winter.

FAQ: Your Holly Wreath Questions Answered

How long will a fresh holly wreath last?
With proper care and hung in a cool location, a fresh wreath can look good for 3-4 weeks. It will gradually dry but often retains its color.

Can I make a wreath without a wire frame?
Yes, you can use a vine base like grapevine or willow, but it’s trickier for beginners. The wire frame provides the easiest and most secure method.

My holly doesn’t have many berries. What can I do?
You can supplement with artificial holly berry picks from a craft store. Simply wire them into your bunches as you work. Also, female holly plants need a male pollinator nearby to produce berries.

What are some good holly wreath ideas for variations?
Try an all-holly wreath for a classic look, or mix in eucalyptus and magnolia leaves for a different texture. For a modern twist, use variegated holly with white-edged leaves.

Is there a trick to making a holiday wreath that lasts?
The soaking step before you begin is crucial. Also, using a frame with a moss or coir base that you can keep damp can extend the life of your greenery significantly.

Creating your own holly wreath is a rewarding holiday tradition. It connects you to the garden in winter and results in a truly personal decoration. The imperfections are part of its charm, showing it was made by hand. With this guide, you have all the information you need to create a festive masterpiece for your front door.