Make your holiday wreath pop with your personal touch
If there’s one holiday custom that never goes out of style, it’s hanging a holiday wreath on your exterior door.
This tradition hails back to ancient times when wreaths were considered to be symbols of honor, victory and eternal life in Rome and Greece. In Europe, pagan rituals also used wreaths to represent the cycle of the seasons. By the 16th century, Christians in Europe began using evergreen wreaths during Christmas to symbolize eternal life and God's endless love. This custom spread throughout the continent and reached North America, where, by the 19th century, it became widely practiced, especially in the U.S., where wreaths came to embody the themes of hospitality and the holiday spirit.
“A holiday wreath is traditionally a circular arrangement of natural elements like evergreen branches, pinecones and berries — symbolizing eternity and the cycle of seasons,” says Elissa Hall, an interior designer with Awning.com. “These wreaths are typically hung on the front door as a welcoming gesture, although they are increasingly displayed indoors above fireplaces or as table centerpieces.”
She adds that over the years, holiday wreaths have transitioned from purely natural, handcrafted items to more diverse expressions of personal style, noting that modern wreaths now include metals, ornaments, ribbons and LED lights.
“It's even become popular to see wreaths hanging in unexpected places like kitchen walls, on mirrors or layered on interior doors. This shift reflects a broader trend toward integrating holiday decor throughout the entire home, rather than confining it merely to the entryway,” Hall continues.
Truth is, it’s creative and impressive to make your own wreath, which can yield substantial savings over a store-bought product. To accomplish this DIY project, you'll need flexible floral wire, grapevine, or foam to make the wreath form; pruning shears or scissors; fresh or artificial greenery like pine, fir or eucalyptus; decorative elements such as ornaments, ribbons, pinecones or berries; and a hot glue gun.
Designer Ahmed Ati says you first form the base by shaping the wire into a circular form. Next, “cut your greenery into manageable pieces and attach them to the wreath using the floral wire. Overlap each piece slightly to create a full, lush look. Continue around the form until it’s completely covered.”
Then, attach your decorative elements to the wreath using floral wire and the hot glue gun. Distribute these elements evenly for balance, or cluster them together for a more dramatic look. Top off the wreath with a bow or ribbon for a festive touch.
“You can also leave some greenery and decorations trailing for a more whimsical look,” adds Ati.
Elsa Rao, an outdoor living expert, enjoys DIY wreathing.
“I gather greenery, berries and citrus native to New England. I wrap them around a circular teak base, securing them with gardening wire. Then, I add small LED string lights for a festive glow at night,” she explains.
To punch up or customize a store-bought wreath, begin by assessing its base materials and build upon them.
“You might add fresh sprigs of eucalyptus or holly for texture and fragrance. Incorporate personal touches like heirloom ornaments or hand-tied ribbons that reflect your holiday color scheme,” advises Hall. “For a more dramatic effect, consider adding a set of battery-operated string lights or delicate metallic accents. These personalizations can transform a generic wreath into something truly unique and reflective of your personal style.”
Especially if your wreath contains natural materials like freshly cut sprigs of greenery, “mist it regularly to keep it from getting dried out,” says Rao. “Replace the wreath entirely when the materials dry out and look unsightly.”
When hanging a wreath, use a sturdy hook that won’t harm your wall or door. Employ a fishing line or ribbon for heavier wreaths to help distribute the weight evenly and ensure it remains securely in place throughout the holiday season.