A good Christmas wreath does not have to come from a shop, and it does not have to take a whole weekend. The 20 wreaths below cover fresh evergreen, felt and yarn, dried oranges and pinecones, and bold deco mesh and ornaments. Pick by what you already have at home, how much time you can spare, and whether the wreath will hang outside or in. Every idea comes from a real maker, with a link to their own tutorial.
A grapevine ring suits fresh greenery, a wire frame suits pinecones and mesh, and a foam form suits glued ornaments and pom-poms. New to wreaths? Start with a wire-and-tuck design. It forgives uneven spacing.
1. Fresh Evergreen Wreath from Tree Clippings
Jane and Sonja made this from clippings left over after taking down a Christmas tree. Bunches are wired onto a grapevine ring, each overlapping the last. Materials: a grapevine wreath 12 inches or larger, tree clippings cut to 6 to 8 inches, floral wire, and garden shears.
Credit: Jane & Sonja — How to Make an Evergreen Wreath at Sustain My Craft Habit
2. Crescent Evergreen Wreath
Greenery covers only part of the ring, and bare grapevine shows through, keeping it light and modern. Jelica builds the ring from a coil of bare grapevine garland, wires on three bundles of cedar and juniper, and finishes with a brown velvet ribbon over the join. Materials: a bare grapevine garland coil, 22-gauge paddle wire, garden shears, at least three types of greenery, and ribbon.
Credit: Jelica of A Pretty Fix — How to Make a Crescent Evergreen Wreath at A Pretty Fix
3. Felt Leaf Wreath with Pom-Pom Berries
Felt is the tidy answer if fresh greenery feels messy. A circle of copper wire gets short wire branches, felt leaves are glued along each branch, and red and white pom-poms stand in for holly berries. Two shades of green keep it from looking flat. Keep leaves to one section for a minimalist look, or spread them all round. Materials: 14- or 16-gauge copper craft wire, green felt in two shades, craft glue, scissors, and red and white pom-poms.
Credit: Mommy Made That — DIY Felt Leaf Christmas Wreath at Mommy Made That
4. Felted Leaf Wreath
KariAnne Wood cut about 150 leaf shapes from felted fabric bought by the yard, stretched each one slightly, and glued them in overlapping rows around an 18-inch wire form. It works from fall through Christmas; red felt circles as berries tip it into holiday territory. It is repetitive, evening work. Materials: felted fabric in two greens, an 18-inch wreath form, hot glue, and scissors.
Credit: KariAnne Wood — How to Make a DIY Felted Wreath at Thistlewood Farms
5. Dried Orange Slice Wreath
Dried orange slices catch the light in a way few other wreath materials do, and this small version is a good first project. Slices are arranged on an 8-inch grapevine form and glued one at a time, with glue along the rind for a firmer hold. Cinnamon or star anise finish it, but the oranges carry the design alone. Materials: a grapevine wreath form, dried orange slices, a hot glue gun, twine, and optional cinnamon sticks and star anise.
Credit: On Sutton Place — DIY Dried Orange Slice Wreath at On Sutton Place
6. Dried Orange and Eucalyptus Wreath
This wreath starts with a cheap faux greenery wreath and layers dried eucalyptus, pinecones, and dried orange slices over it, so most of the work is tucking and wiring. Drying the oranges takes about three hours in a low oven, turned regularly. Materials: a pre-made greenery wreath, dried eucalyptus, pinecones, dried oranges, floral wire, a hot glue gun, and ribbon.
Credit: Farmhouse on Boone — DIY Dried Orange and Eucalyptus Wreath at Farmhouse on Boone
7. Ornament Ball Wreath
For maximum colour with minimum technique, an ornament wreath is hard to beat. Katie wraps a foam form in tinsel garland so gaps show sparkle, then glues large ornaments round the inside and outside rims before filling the front with medium and small balls. Three sizes make it look lush rather than lumpy. Materials: a 14-inch foam form, tinsel garland, a glue gun, and about 120 shatterproof ornaments in three sizes. Time: one to two hours.
Credit: Katie — How to Create Your Own DIY Ornament Wreath at With My Love, Katie
8. Loopy Burlap Wreath
Denise calls this a ten-minute wreath. Loops of burlap ribbon are pulled up through the inner, middle, and outer rings of a wire frame, bunched, and twisted at the back, section by section, until the frame is full. Tie decorations on with pipe cleaners and the base can be reused for other seasons. Materials: burlap ribbon 3 to 5 inches wide, a wire frame, scissors, wire or zip ties, and decorations. About 30 feet of ribbon covers a 14-inch frame.
Credit: Denise of Hootshack — Burlap Christmas Wreath DIY at Hootshack
9. Burlap and Flannel Hoop Wreath
An embroidery hoop makes a small, light wreath for an interior door or wall. Burlap is twisted and wrapped around the hoop, then torn strips of red and grey flannel are twisted round the burlap, frayed edges showing on purpose. A sprig of greenery and a cardstock sign finish it. Cosy and rustic, not sleek. Materials: an embroidery hoop, leftover burlap, flannel, greenery, cardstock, and a hot glue gun.
Credit: Little House of Four — Burlap and Flannel Christmas Wreath at Little House of Four
10. Pinecone Snowflake Wreath
Shaped like a snowflake rather than a circle, this wreath stands out on a porch and can stay up well past Christmas. Paint stir sticks are woven through a wire form to make six points and a centre hexagon, then long pinecones are glued along each point, with cut pinecone tops filling the gaps. White spray paint is optional. Materials: nine paint stir sticks, an 18-inch wire form, hot glue, 90 to 100 long pinecones prepared for crafts, and optional white spray paint.
Credit: Bren Did — How to Make a Pinecone Snowflake Wreath at Bren Did
11. No-Glue Pinecone Wreath
No glue, no wire, and a form that cost $1.25. Skinny pinecones are soaked in water for at least 30 minutes so they close up, then wedged into a wire form, largest outside and smallest inside. As they dry over about a week they open, lock against each other, and stay put. Clean and bake foraged cones first. Materials: a 12-inch wire form with three slots, about 100 to 110 skinny pinecones, and buckets of water.
Credit: Pinecones and Acorns — How to Make a Pinecone Wreath Without Glue or Wire at Pinecones and Acorns
12. Asymmetrical Eucalyptus Hoop Wreath
Instead of covering a form all round, this wreath leaves most of a wooden embroidery hoop bare and builds greenery up on one side, higher on one end than the other. Silver dollar and baby blue eucalyptus form the base, with dried flowers and wheat-like stems tucked in for a wild, gathered look. It took about 20 minutes. Step back often until it feels balanced. Materials: a 14-inch wooden embroidery hoop, silver dollar and baby blue eucalyptus, dried flowers, flax, floral wire, and ribbon.
Credit: Hello Nest — DIY Asymmetrical Eucalyptus Wreath at Hello Nest
13. Fresh Magnolia Leaf Wreath
Magnolia leaves are two colours in one: glossy green on top, soft rust-brown underneath, so a wreath made from them has depth with little else added. Kim bundles magnolia with fir, cedar, or boxwood clippings, wires the bundles onto a frame with one long piece of wire, and adds dried orange clusters for warmth. Fresh magnolia usually lasts one to four weeks, longer in the cool. Materials: fresh magnolia leaves, assorted greenery, floral wire, a wire or grapevine frame, and optional pinecones, dried oranges, and ribbon.
Credit: Kim Robinson — How to Make a Fresh Magnolia Leaf Wreath at Shiplap and Shells
14. Fresh Boxwood Wreath
Boxwood is dense and neat, so it makes a tidy wreath with very little fuss. Jennifer strips leaves from the bottom inch of each sprig, tucks the bare stem deep into a grapevine form, and works round the front, leaving the back open. No glue is needed. Wear gloves, as boxwood can irritate skin. Materials: about 40 dense boxwood sprigs 6 to 8 inches long for a 6-inch form, a grapevine form, ribbon, florist wire, and pruning shears.
Credit: Jennifer Rizzo — How to Make an Easy Boxwood Wreath at Jennifer Rizzo
15. Snowball Pom-Pom Wreath
About 50 large white pom-poms, sewn onto a form in three rows, make a wreath that looks like snowballs and can stay up all winter. The maker ties each pom-pom with dental floss instead of yarn because it holds tighter, then sews the rows on and trims uneven ends. Kids can help with wrapping while an adult handles cutting and tying. Materials: an 18-inch form, about 50 large pom-poms, bulky white yarn, a pom-pom maker or cardboard cutouts, dental floss, and a large-eyed needle.
Credit: Pretty DIY Home — DIY Christmas Wreath with Snowball Pom Poms at Pretty DIY Home
16. Buffalo Plaid Deco Mesh Wreath
Deco mesh looks fiddly until you try it. Four layers of 10-inch mesh, buffalo plaid first and last, green second, sparkly red third, are bunched onto pipe cleaners round a wire frame, keeping each bunch about the same height. Buffalo plaid ribbon tails, a sign, and frosted pine pieces finish it. Fluffing at the end matters more than precision while building. Materials: three to four rolls of 10-inch deco mesh, 2.5-inch wired ribbon, a Christmas sign, pipe cleaners, a 12-inch wire frame, wire cutters, and a hot glue gun.
Credit: Down Redbud Drive — Christmas Mesh Wreath DIY at Down Redbud Drive
17. Farmhouse Wood Bead and Evergreen Wreath
A 15-minute wreath for a mirror, peg rack, or interior wall rather than a front door, because the 10-inch wood bead form is small. Two faux evergreen picks are bent to the bead ring, glued along the top where they cross, and finished with a loose farmhouse ribbon bow. Trimming a branch or two is optional and barely changes the look. At $1.25 for the form, it is cheap enough to make several as gifts. Materials: a 10-inch wood bead form, 12 evergreen picks, 5/8-inch farmhouse ribbon, a glue gun, and optional wire cutters.
Credit: Dappled Skies and DIYs — 15-Minute Farmhouse Evergreen Wood Bead Wreath DIY at Dappled Skies and DIYs
18. Jingle Bell Mini Wreath Ornaments
These are tree ornaments and gift toppers as much as wreaths, but the method is a real wreath method in miniature. Thirty-four half-inch bells, 18 gold and 16 silver, are threaded onto wire in pairs, the wire loops through the first bell to close the ring, and a cord hanger and small red bow finish it. Under ten minutes, and a longer wire scales the idea up. Pipe cleaners work instead of wire if kids help. Materials: 10 inches of jewellery wire or a pipe cleaner, 34 jingle bells, thin cord, and red ribbon.
Credit: Debbie Chapman — Jingle Bell Ornaments at One Little Project
19. Buffalo Check Wreath with Cinnamon and Orange
Joy built this wreath around a buffalo check bow: an artificial evergreen base, dried orange slices and pinecones wired on, cinnamon sticks threaded lengthwise with floral wire, and a big layered bow. The black-and-white palette suits a neutral home and works for fall too. She notes it survived a full season outdoors and just needed fluffing before its second year. Materials: an artificial evergreen wreath, buffalo check wired ribbon, floral wire, a twist tie, scissors, dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, pinecones, and a wreath hanger.
Credit: Joy of Artful Homemaking — Buffalo Check Christmas Wreath DIY Tutorial at Artful Homemaking
20. Plaid Ribbon Wreath
Jen gathered five plaid ribbons after a trip to Scotland and turned them into a tartan wreath with no greenery at all. One ribbon wraps the form and loops into ruffles, then ribbon flowers are made by tying 10-inch lengths in the centre with wire, fanning them out, and pinning six round a 16-inch form. A small sign is optional. Mixing plaids is the point. Materials: three to six plaid ribbons at three yards each plus about 12 yards of main ribbon, a 16-inch form, thin wire, straight pins, and a hot glue gun.
Credit: Jen of Tatertots and Jello — Easy Plaid Ribbon Holiday Wreath Tutorial at Tatertots and Jello
Practical tips for hanging, keeping, and storing a wreath
Hang a wreath from an over-door hanger, a sturdy Command hook, or a nail, and check the weight before trusting a suction cup. Fresh wreaths last longest in cool, shaded spots and dry out fast near heat or direct sun. A covered porch protects felt, yarn, and mesh from rain, and wind can loosen glued pieces, so check after the first storm. Store wreaths in a box or wreath bag with tissue between layers, and keep dried orange and pinecone wreaths dry.
Frequently asked questions
How long will a fresh evergreen wreath last?
A few weeks in cool outdoor conditions is fair. Fresh magnolia usually lasts one to four weeks, and fresh eucalyptus two to three weeks. Once greenery turns brittle, faux or dried designs suit a longer season better.
Can I make a Christmas wreath without a glue gun?
Yes. Several here use wire alone: the pinecone wreath, the crescent wreath, and the boxwood wreath. A glue gun helps for ornaments and felt, but is not required for every design.
What size wreath should I make for a standard front door?
Measure the door first; the finished wreath ends up wider than its form. Tutorials here use forms from 6 to 18 inches. A wreath covering about a third of the door width usually looks balanced.
How do I keep dried orange slices from going soft or mouldy?
Dry them fully until no part feels moist, and store the wreath somewhere dry. Slices dried at 200°F for about three hours, turned every 30 to 45 minutes, hold best. If a slice feels damp, put it back in the oven.
Can a fresh wreath hang indoors?
Yes, but it dries faster indoors, especially near heat and sunny windows. Keep it away from flames, and mist lightly if the room is dry. Over a working fireplace, a felt, yarn, or ornament wreath is safer.
Which wreath is cheapest to make?
The no-glue pinecone wreath and the wood bead wreath, each about $1.25 for the form, are cheapest here. Ornament and deco mesh wreaths cost more, as you need many balls or several rolls of mesh.
Conclusion
Start with one wreath. Choose the material you already own, follow the maker’s tutorial, and do not rush drying or gluing. For more Christmas making, see these simple Christmas crafts for kids, and these handmade Christmas gift tags to match your door.
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