It’s time to deck those halls–I’m all about it! And what conveys holiday cheer like a lush wreath hanging in your window, or on your door or fireplace? Yes, you could go out and buy them readymade, but I’d love to inspire you to make your own wreath personalized with your favorite things, as I’ve done for my family.

Sure, I’ve made wreaths as simple as evergreen rings tied with bows to a rustic ladder. But my typical approach is not so minimalist!

Somewhere out there in the blogosphere you’ll find someone to instruct you on the gold-hoop-and-three-flowers wreath, but that would not be me. Instead, I’m for loading up that big evergreen wreath with All The Things. Which, now that I think about it, pretty much sums up my tutorial!

1. Start with a large, full evergreen wreath

Pine, fir, cedar, juniper–whether you buy a fresh, aromatic wreath from the Scouts or opt for longlasting faux, I think evergreen wreaths are icons of Christmas. So I always select a good sized evergreen wreath as my base.

Then the real fun begins!

2. Consider your theme

As you think of what you want your wreath to look like, do you see certain colors? Are you drawn to vintage or to modern? To sparkle or to distressed finishes?

Can you believe that what inspired this wreath was my quirky collection of mini kitchen tools? A tiny sieve, pastry cutter, egg beater, mixer, canning jars–it felt just right to combine these small keepsakes with buffalo check ribbon. When I added some cocoa mug ornaments (and a vintage classroom word card), it was ready to hang on my pantry door.

Maybe YOU have a collection that could play the star role on your wreath. Or some much-loved but retired ornaments? You could repeat your home’s color scheme and aesthetic in your wreath, or feature your favorite team colors. It’s YOUR wreath, and you can do with it whatever you like!

One of my favorite personalized wreaths was one I created using small framed photos of my boys with Santa (just add cotton bolls and a lavish bow)! You could do likewise with, for example, treasured vacation photos and memorabilia.

3. Attach your decorations (and some ribbon)

Once you’ve assembled the pieces you will use on your wreath, it’s time to attach them.

The Courtney Warren School of Wreath-Making: go big or go home. Over the top. Maximalist. I mean, why have just one kind of evergreen? Why not holly berries and pine cones and silver poinsettias and Santas and snowballs? AND ornament vintage campers and cars??

Depending on your material, you can attach your decorations to your wreath with hot glue, floral wire, or even plastic zip ties (yep, that’s what I used to secure the campers. In fact, I made the bow by folding over several loops of wire-edge ribbon and cinching up the center with a zip tie!) Lightweight items can be fastened to the greenery. If you have heavier items, you should secure them to the wire base of your wreath.

Distribute your decorations around the wreath with a kind of informal symmetry, building layers as you go. On the base of greenery you’ll add the larger items, then fill in with smaller objects and maybe some floral picks.

And there you go! Before you know it, you’ll have made a beautiful, personalized wreath you’ll be proud to hang in your home this holiday season!

Need some inspiration or hands-on help with your holiday decor? We do that! But spots are going fast, so contact Courtney Warren Home right away to secure your place on our decorating calendar.