A wreath on your front door just seems to brighten up the front of your house, as it gives color for those dreary winter months. The trend this year seems to be more natural and red seems to be the most predominant color.
If you are a creative person, this is the time of year when you can shine. You can easily make your own wreath by picking up an undecorated one at your local garden centre. Hobby stores have all the essentials you need, or just look around your own garden or local ravine and find cones, sticks, and greens you can add to it. Dig out the glue gun and your off and running. There is nothing nicer than a fresh wreath especially if you have made it yourself.
Here’s a quick DIY from Diana:
1. Pick up a raw Balsam wreath (I like Balsam because the needles stay on the longest). Then pick up small “plastic” ornaments in the colour theme of your choice. I chose a traditional theme of reds and golds. Get green floral wire and gold ribbon. Keep your hot glue gun handy for those balls that come off their hooks.
2. Combine your ornaments with the wire and then place them on the wreath in the position that works, keeping a space for the ribbon, then fix them with the wire. Gently wrap the ribbon around and tie together with a knot at the back. Voila!
Fresh wreaths can last all winter outside and with a little spritzing of water it will keep fresh longer. If you are planning on having one inside wait until closer to Christmas to buy it, as it will dry out very quickly with the indoor heat.
My favorite look this year has to be three small wreaths hanging diagonally down the door with a wide ribbon woven in between, very simple but yet elegant too. Another great idea is to lay a small wreath on top of a larger one using two different types of greens for color, then decorate the top one with natural sticks cones and berries and finish it off with a bow.
Natural wreaths come in many different varieties including Magnolia, Holly, Eucalyptus. Douglas fir, white pine, boxwood, evergreen, juniper amongst many others…
You can also use a couple of small boxwood square wreaths to decorate your holiday table or buffet. Set an ornate lantern inside or a flameless candle, then add some berries or spray roses tucked in for a fresh look.
Artificial wreaths are also great, there seems to be a lot of very tasteful feather wreaths around this year, Home sense, Bou Clair, and East of Eliza are all carrying them in different colors. Not just for Christmas, these wreaths can even be left up if they look great in your house all year round.
Here are some examples for inspiration:
Nicola Bishop
bishop4086@rogers.com
