DIY Christmas Wreaths: Your Complete Guide to Making Stunning Holiday Decorations
Contents
Making DIY Christmas wreaths transforms your home into a festive wonderland without draining your wallet.
I’ve been making wreaths for years, and I’ll tell you straight—there’s nothing quite like opening your front door to a handmade creation that screams “I actually care about the holidays.” No stress, no overthinking, just good old-fashioned creativity.
Why Everyone’s Obsessed With Making Their Own Wreaths
Look, I get it. You walk past those gorgeous wreaths at fancy boutiques, see the $150 price tag, and think “absolutely not.” But here’s the thing—making your own costs a fraction of that, and you get exactly what you want. Plus, you can sip wine while doing it, which automatically makes it better than shopping in crowded stores.
The Supplies You Actually Need (Not the Nonsense)
Your Foundation: Picking the Right Base
Your wreath base matters more than you think. I learned this the hard way when my first wreath fell apart halfway through December.
Three main types to choose from:
- Wire frames – Perfect for deco mesh wreaths, super lightweight
- Grapevine bases – My go-to for natural looks with florals and greenery
- Foam bases – Great for fully covered designs where you’re pinning everything in
For traditional Christmas wreaths with that classic evergreen look, grab a grapevine base. It holds everything beautifully and gives you that rustic backbone.
Deco Mesh: The Secret Weapon
Deco mesh changed my wreath game completely. Get yourself 10″ and 21″ widths—these are the workhorses of wreath making. The 21″ mesh creates those gorgeous, full ruffles that make people stop and stare at your door. Trust me on this.
Ribbons That Make People Jealous
Buy your ribbon in these widths:
- 1.5 inches – Delicate accents and layering
- 2.5 inches – The sweet spot for most bows
- 4 inches – Statement pieces that demand attention
Wired edges are non-negotiable. They hold shape and let you create those loops that look professionally done.
Stuff That Holds Everything Together
You need pipe cleaners (fancy people call them Chenille Ties) and zip ties. The 6″ and 8″ zip ties become your best friends when you’re attaching signs, florals, and random decorative nonsense that makes your wreath unique.
My attachment supply checklist:
- One pack of green pipe cleaners
- One pack of 6″ zip ties
- One pack of 8″ zip ties
- Floral wire for backup
Christmas Embellishments That Pop
This is where your personality shines through.
Classic options:
- Holly berries (can’t go wrong)
- Pine cones (free if you look outside)
- Decorative ball ornaments
- Cardinal birds (very on-trend)
- Berry picks in red and white
- Bells that actually jingle
- Miniature gift boxes
I once made a wreath entirely with stuff I found in my basement and a quick trip outside for pine cones. Cost me maybe $8 for ribbon. People asked where I bought it.
Tools You Can’t Skip
The Basics
Sharp scissors – Keep these for ribbon and mesh ONLY. I mean it. The second you start cutting wire with them, they’re ruined, and you’ll be fighting with frayed mesh edges for the rest of your life.
Wire cutters – For everything else. Floral stems, wire, that one stubborn piece that won’t cooperate.
Needle-nose pliers – For twisting wire and getting into tight spaces. Your fingers will thank you.
The Game-Changer
Get yourself a hot glue gun. Not the wimpy craft one from third grade. A real one that gets properly hot and holds stuff permanently. When you’re attaching flowers, pine cones, or any decorative element that needs to stay put through winter wind, hot glue is your security blanket.
Nice-to-Have Tools (For When You’re Hooked)
After Your First Few Wreaths
Once you’ve made three or four wreaths and realize you’re obsessed (it happens to everyone), invest in an EZ Bow Maker. I resisted getting one because I thought “how hard can bows be?” Turns out, consistently perfect bows are actually quite hard. This tool changed everything.
For the Floral-Obsessed
If you’re going deep into the floral and greenery world, a pick machine streamlines the entire process. It attaches stems to wire picks in seconds instead of minutes. Worth every penny once you’re making multiple wreaths.
Where to Actually Buy This Stuff
Big Box Stores
Michaels
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.
