Create Unique Holiday Wreaths

Wreaths are probably one of the most versatile decorations of the holiday season: they can be large or small, simple or elaborate and, best of all, inexpensive or as pricey as you'd like to make them.

The circle - a symbol of natural harmony - is the most familiar shape for decorative wreaths. Vine wreaths are truly versatile - they look good undecorated, sprayed a festive colour or as a base for a more ornate creation. Also popular and easy to use are wire, foam and straw bases.

Before starting, assemble your materials, including a selection of decorations that reflect the theme or style you have in mind.

• your choice of base
• florists' wire (and wire cutters)
• florists' picks
• evergreen foliage, such as cedar, ivy, boxwood and holly, gathered from your garden, or purchased from your local florist
• pine cones and an assortment of other natural accents, such as berries, nuts and twigs that can be used as-is or spray-painted to enhance your theme

Make the most of any evergreens growing in your garden; just a few branches can form the basis of a cheery Christmas decoration, and the fragrance is an added bonus.

When deciding on a theme, remember that a wreath placed on a door moves every time the door is opened and shut. Make sure the wreath is sturdy enough to stand up to this movement and consider adding a bell or two. The tinkling sound will welcome guests and add to the ambience of the season.

To create a tranquil-looking wreath, use analogous colours, such as the greens of the artificial pears and live boxwood cuttings shown above.

This wreath is made in two parts.

To create the outer circle, use fishing line to tie boxwood cuttings to a 45-cm (18-in.) straw base. (The tying is invisible with fishing line, but green florists' wire will also work.) To make the inner wreath, purchase about a dozen picks from a craft store, each with a cluster of five or six pears. Cut the pear clusters from the picks and then tie these "mini-branches" to a smaller wreath base. The smaller wreath is then securely fixed to the larger wreath using florists' wire. For a stunning finale, use a creamy-coloured organza ribbon to hang the wreath in front of a small-sized window.

An unusual rectangular shape and fragrant pink carnations (top image, sidebar) make a wreath with a difference. Cut the shape from heavy-duty cardboard and cover it with ribbon. After snipping off the stems, hot-glue the carnations to both sides of the prepared base. To double the effect, hang the wreath in front of a mirror, or you can also use it as a pretty centrepiece for a festive table. The flowers will fade in two or three days, so if you are planning on using it as dinner-party décor, make it the morning of the get-together.

For a rustic look, thread some vintage bells onto a length of wire and then bend it into a circle (bottom image, sidebar). Accessorized with evergreens from the garden, this makes a charming decoration.

Two bright red pomegranates provide a lovely accent for a wreath (middle image, sidebar), an example of how simple items can combine to create an exciting decoration. It's easy to make, too. Just cover a wreath base with assorted green foliage - in this example a whole range of evergreens were used, including eucalyptus leaves and flower buds - and attach the pomegranates with florists' picks. Hang the wreath in a spot where it will be the centre of attention.

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