How to Make an Easy Peasy Christmas Wreath

Everyone loves the smell of freshly cut pine boughs at Christmas time, but buying those ready-made wreaths from the florist can play havoc with an-already-stretched-to-the-max-Christmas-budget. So why not make your own for a fraction of the cost?

It's easy. Really!

Here are the basic materials you'll need for the wreath:

A wire coat hanger
*Some Freshly cut Pine branches
Hot Glue Gun
Wire cutters
Florist wire

1. Start by uncoiling your wire coat hanger and form it into a circle. This will become the form for your wreath.

2. Start layering sections of pine branches, slightly overlapping as you go, around the circumference of your wreath, securing with the florist wire as you go. Once you have the basic wreath made it's time for the really fun part- decorating!

Here are a few items you might consider using when decorationg your wreath.:

Bundles of cinnamon stick tied with raffia- for an extra Christmasy fragrance.
Tiny giftwrapped presents- either premade or use something like a small pad of Post-it notes that you wrap yourself.
Miniature Christmas ornaments
Decorative hollyberries
Tiny Christmas canes
Hershey Holiday Kisses.

Once you've picked the items you'd like to use, simply arrange them in clusters around your wreath and attach with hot glue. For the finishing touch, use a generous length of wire-edged holiday ribbon fashioned into a bow and place at the top of your wreath.
Don't forget to add a small loop of extra florist wire secured to the back of your wreath to hang it.

The items I've listed are just suggestions for inspiration. Get creative and think about how you'd like your finished wreath to look. You may even decide you'd like to go with some kind of theme when designing your wreath...it's all up to you, you're only limited by your own creativity.

*Suggestion: if you buy a live Christmas tree, simply use the lower branches you trim to make it aesthetically pleasing when you place it in your stand. If you have an artifical tree, don't despair! Most nurseries and Christmas tree farms will sell fresh evergreen trimmings for little less than a song this time of year.

Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a fresh Christmas wreath! So grab a hot cup of your favorite beverage, crank up the Christmas music and start your holiday with style!

Happy Holidays to You & Yours!