The Easy Way To Make A Live Wreath
I am going to show you the EASIEST most amazing way to make a live wreath. You will wonder, “why didn’t I think of that”? That’s what I thought when I learned this technique at a wreath decorating demo last year.
You will be able to make gorgeous, lush, full, live wreaths… FABULOUS!!!!
It will revolutionize your Christmas decor and gift giving… OR … at least make people ooooh and ahhhh!
I made this wreath in under 40 minutes for a gift exchange!
Here’s how…
Materials:
any old artificial green wreath (the more *snarly the better)
fresh greens~ short-needled evergreen and other greens for interest
hot glue gun or hot glue pot
old garden gloves
ornaments or other Christmas decorations
bow
wreath making stand, optional
*snarly: adj… motley, beat up, worn out
This is how the wreath first starts out… pretty thin and quite snarly! Fluff it up the best you can.
Use old garden gloves when cutting the evergreen.
Cut fresh greens. Use lots of Christmas tree greens like fraser, douglas, balsam or other short- needled, hardy evergreen branches for the base of the wreath.
I buy a Christmas tree that is a “B” grade or “second”. It cost me about $20.00 for a 6 foot tree. My local greenhouse sells them. I cut it apart and keep the clippings in a trash can ready to use.
Cut the greens to match the size of wreath you are making.
Liberally glue the end of the cutting and stick the end of the branch deep into the wreath.
Continue to glue evergreen cutting to the wreath. Work in one small section at a time. DON’T go in one direction. Glue in your cuttings in all directions. Remember to make some stick straight out too!
Wear old garden gloves to glue… if you don’t you WILL get burned!
I put my wreath on a small wreath stand to see how it will look placed vertically. Don’t forget to glue cuttings in the inside of the wreath too!
We are just getting started… big difference already!
Work all the way around the wreath with the short-needled cuttings.
Now, it’s time to add some other greens to the wreath… just not hemlock. It will drop it’s needles very quickly.
I usually keep a basket of assorted greens…. I buy a few yards of roping and cut it apart myself. A much better value!
For this wreath I added white pine, regular cedar, incense cedar and boxwood.
Starting with small clipping I glued them here and there, concentrating where they would be seen.
Shake the wreath vigorously to make sure there are no loose branches. Glue any loose ones back into the wreath. It’s a good idea to do this outside, you will have some needle dropage!
Make a bow out of ribbon and wire in place.
Add some ornaments or other Christmas decorations such as berries, holly, silk poinsettia, etc.
I wanted to keep this wreath very subdued so I chose green balls with just a little bit of glitter.
Hot glue them liberally and put them in place.
Clean up any glue spiders and hang!
Here is a big wreath I made for my front door using this method…
You can read more about this wreath by clicking HERE
When Christams is over DO NOT throw away your wreaths. Just put them in a garbage bag and hang them up in a garage, shed or basement.
In the fall, take the bags outside and open them up. All the live greens will now be dead. Wearing garden gloves, give the dead greens a good tug and they will pull right out. Now you have a snarly wreath to use for more wreath making. You can also reuse any ornament or decor!
Do the same thing again next year… and the next…
I told you this was easy and FABULOUS!
If you like the big Christmas bow you can see how to make it HERE.
You might like to follow me on Pinterest and see all the great things I am pinning every day HERE!
Clever!
Wow, how easy was that!!! Thanks for the idea.
Your posts are always beautiful and clever. You are generous to share. Thanks!
WOW, I thought you would never use anything snarly. I like the ideas of weaving or gluing live greenery into the faux greens. Your bow is beautiful! I’m going to try to make this. As always, everything is spiffy. I wish you were my next door neighbor so I could learn from you.
I used your directions and made bows yesterday. The directions were so easy to follow and the bows turned out great. They really dressed up my faux wreaths and made me feel like I have new ones to hang. Thanks. I look forward to your daily posts.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
,Yvonne girl you are so clever and generous with your ideas! Thank you .
Your wreaths are always so beautiful and your instructions are spot on. However, you might want to share with your readers the issue of boxwood blight that has been found in NC, VA and Connecticut. Here in Virginia we use boxwoods in all kinds of landscaping and decor (think Colonial Williamsburg). However, did you know that the boxwood clippings you have in your wreaths could carry the boxwood blight pathogen? This is a huge threat to your property, or your neighbor’s if they have boxwoods present. This highly contagious disease is a big concern, so when decorating this year either forgo the use of boxwood clippings, or only use clippings from your property that have been confirmed to not carry the disease. Just a word to the wise….http://arborscapesllc.com/2016/10/boxwood-blight-what-you-need-to-know/
Love your blog.
Oh, my that was simple! I can’t wait to give it a go. Kicking myself for passing by all the shabby wreaths and not having one on hand. That truley is a cinderella wreath!
I’m thinking like you. I laid in bed not sleeping and thinking that I should just buy an ugly little tree to cut up for fresh greens on the mantle. We don’t live in an area where we have anything available other than a tree so it’s mostly artificial greens but I love the smell of fresh. Yay for this post!
Going to make mine today…thank you
What a great idea!
I knew I was saving my Charlie Brown wreath for a reason! This is such a great idea!!! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for another absolutely fabulous why-didn’t-I-think-of-that! idea. The last time I made one, it was by wrestling branches into a circle with not enough wire. Scared the UPS guy when it sproinged loose and shot ornaments all around the porch!
I’ve done this with garland, but wired on the fresh greens instead of glued them on…I don’t know why it never occurred to me to do this with a wreath?! I’ll definitely try it. Brilliant idea! Thank you!
love the real wreath.The smell of the evergreens brings back childhood memories.
FABULOUS IS RIGHT!
I put greenery bows outside under every window with a candle inside. I thought I was the only one that used the “fake” base method! It works so well, and makes the job so much easier!
This is a great wreath and looks easy to make. I definitely will pin this.
Love this post! Thanks for sharing.
https://memoriesandmacchiatos.com
To looked out the window on this gray November day.
I thought how I needed some creativity for the hoildays.
I knew you would be here on my favorites and would share your gift
and sure enough there it was. The perfect simple elegant project.
Thank you, and as I do this wreath for myself , for my family and friends I will
Think of you. I will remind myself as this wreath is a circle, Never ending.
Beautiful! I have a snarly artificial garland that I may use for a project like this.
What a wonderful idea to give new life to my old wreath.
Thank you for such wonderful and beautiful ideas throughout November.
I love, love, love everything about this blog!!! Your ideas are just perfect for the things that I like in my home. Keep them coming.
SANDY
Thank you for the beautiful ideas and inspiration! Blessings
This is beautiful! You can’t even tell there is an artificial wreath in the final result.
You always make things look SO EASY!!!! Love the wreath!! What a great idea, too, and saving from year to year and remaking is a fabulous idea, too!!
You’ve inspired me to freshen my front door wreaths! Thanks Yvonne!
What a great idea! Thanks so much, I’m pinning this for sure!
Love this blog. So many great ideas and lots of inspiration
LOVELY!!!!!
I love your blog! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your daily inspirations, Encouragments and beautiful ideas! I look forward to reading your blog daily ?
Beautifully simple! Love the ideas and the instructions. Thank you for sharing!
Stonegable is my favorite blog spot! So many great ideas that inspire me! Thank you!
I love fresh wreaths. Thanks for the easy way to make one that looks gorgeous.
Thanks for the great idea for a quick and EASY wreath!
What a wonderful idea to buy a second rate tree and cut it apart for live greenery! I always get the best ideas from you Yvonne! Thank you!
Beautiful and a great idea! Thanks for the tutorial!
Such a great idea, sorry a gave my old shabby, falling apart one away! I ‘ll have to remember when the replacement one has lived out it’s usefulness!
thank you for such lovely ideas!
Thank you for the inspiration to make my own decorations. Helps set the mood!
Stunning! Always love to see your ideas!!
Wow…I think I might be able to make this. Thank you for your ideas.
Linda
I just want to thank you for all the wonderful ideas that you write about on your blog. I so look forward to them! I have used a number of them in my home. Wishing you a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
It’s so much fun learning something new every day!
Great post. I like the tip for cutting up garland and using a cheaper tree for the greenery.
Love this! Very helpful!
Read your suggestion on the diy wreath just as I was wondering what I could do with an old ” snarly” fake wreath. Followed your advice & have a lovely brand new fresh wreath… it took a very short time…under an hour. Thank you so much! Happy Holidays, Angela
Hey all……in the middle if a move and a delayed closing. With time on my hands this is the perfect project!
Thanks for sharing!
What a great idea! I have a couple ratty wreathes in storage and as soon as the rain stops I will go looking for cuttings.
I forgot to mention how much the smell of a fresh wreath harkens the spirit of good will for me.
Many thanks for all of your Christmas ideas. I have enjoyed them and am looking forward for more.
Love to make my own wreaths and your instructions are great! Thanks
okay, you sold me. I wanted something fresh this year, but we are hot Texas, so this might hold together a little longer…Just beginning today….thank you, yours is fabulous!
Boy, you made that look easy! Thanks for the great idea.
Beautiful wreath! Great idea! Now if I could only make bows! “It’s so easy”, everyone says, but I just struggle with it. Maybe because I’m left handed! Lol!
So inspiring! I love everything you do..
Quick and easy, that’s what we all need in a busy holiday schedule. Thanks for the tip!
Nice and easy!
Very nice, Yvonne! I’ve always “cheated” and used a beat-up old faux greenery wreath. Anything that makes life a bit easier, epecially in December, is a welcome guest in my home! You can’t beat the allure of real greenery or real flowers. I also do the same kind of thing on my dining table – I place a short faux garland running down the length of the table then add real greenery and shiny baubles and scatter my candlesticks here and there amongst the greenery … then about two or three days before Christmas Day, I buy white roses and insert them in those “water picks” available at any florist. I think Walmart carry them too.
I also hang about 4 faux icicle garlands from my chandelier. Since I have a glasstop table, everything is visually doubled so the final effect is really quite pretty with lots of sparkles! One other item I include is a cloche filled with silver balls.
You came though for us again! Thanks 🙂
Love the live wreath tutorial! Hoping to give it a try!
Love all your tutorials, gives me something to be inspired to do.
Thank you
Merry Christmas
Thanks for sharing how to make a wreath..
Beautiful wreath! Will definitely make this!
I am excited to make this wreath. Looking forward to all your Christmas ideas!!
I’ve always wanted to try this but haven’t made the time….this year for sure! Thank you!
You are a gift to all your readers. I look forward to your blog everyday. And I learn a new trick with each of your writings. Thank You for sharing your God given talents with us! Oh and Congratulations on becoming a Grandma! It’s such a sweet name!
I love your posts and especially enjoy seeing your beautiful home!
Wow! That is so easy. I could do that. Thanks!
Yvonne, thank you! I love the inspiration, pic’s, with step by step instructions! Especially with the beginning of the season to create, keep and ones to give away!
Hugs, Debbie
What a great way to make a perfectly personal wreath. Smiles
That looks very doable except for the bow! I’ll have to check your bow tutorial out. Thanks!
Carmen
Beautiful! Thanks for the step by step instruction 🙂
Beautifully done! Great tutorial, too! Thank you!
I saw a really skimpy wreath at Rite Aid yesterday for $7 and thought what good would that be. But now I see it can be a basis for something terrific for years to come. Great up-cycling, re-cycling ideas for Christmas and what a quick and terrific idea to do for a neighbor, friend, someone alone to drop it off to make their day special. Appreciate your sharing.
Thank you! I did something similar last year for our garden club holiday sale. I have lots of grapevines, so I made grapevine wreaths and hot-glued all kinds of stuff onto them….pine cones, seed pots, dried hydrangeas, etc. Then sprayed them with silver or gold paint and wound dollar store wide ribbon around them and made a bow. They were beautiful!
Like Paula said, from “skimpy” to sumptuous. I plan to do over some old artificial…
This will be the third year I have made your beautiful living wreath. It is so simple and beautiful!
I love all your decorating ideas. I look forward to seeing ur posts everyday. Pick me..pick me! Thank you!
You have such great style, Yvonne! Thanks for another great tutorial. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Merry Christmas! Thanks for making my day brighter
OMG ‘ even I could do this, it looks very easy (and pretty)…
Beautiful, what comes to mind is ” a silk purse from a sow’s ear” nice job!????☃
Looks fabulous! I have never been an expert with the glue gun! Maybe this would be the project to change that’s! Any specific glue gun you recommend?
Oh, and the bow tutorial too.. gonna watch and hopefully perfect my bow making (mine always look like blobs of ribbon)!!
I am definitely gonna try this! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yvonne
Thank you so much for sharing all that you do and believe in you are an inspiration to all of us.
A Happy and Safe Holiday to you and yours.
Love it great idea!!!!
Yvonne, If you go to a Ho Depot or maybe Lowes, go to where they sell and bag live Christmas trees and ask for free clippings. I get them to make wreaths, decorate the mantle and also lay them in the flower bed with white lights laid underneath! Who doesn’t like free?! Have a merry and joyful Christmas!
oops sorry that was supposed to be Home Depot
I love using real greens to decorate with and am lucky to have a lot right in my yard. Love all your ideas!
Beautiful wreath!
What a clever idea. You are one smart cookie, Yvonne! Thanks for sharing.
Love your blog!
Simple yet elegant! I love the mixture of greens that you used. You are such a breath of fresh air when it comes to home decor! Thanks for sharing.
Gorgeous wreath. Please make a bow-making video!
I love that red bow! Great tip! Thank you!!
I’ve read these instructions before; brilliant! Thanks Yvonne!!
Going to give this a try!
I share your site with all my co-workers, you make our day brighter and give us such ideas. Happy Holidays
I love your blog, especially your devotional on Sundays!
Thanks for letting me know, Carrie! Hugs to you!
What a great tutorial! I must try – however, I have an abundance of holly growing outside my window that I would like to use. Alas, there are no berries on it, but the shiny leaves look so beautiful. Any hints or ideas on using holly, especially in a wreath? I know, wear gloves – but anything else that might help? And how long would such a wreath last? I’ve used sprigs of the holly around tables and on mantel, but they sure seem to dry up quickly. Maybe not too good for a wreath?
Just the info I needed! Thank you!
Christmas is a tough time decorating at my home. We’re decorating all over our community and it leaves little time for me to work on my own home. These fast/easy/cleaver ideas make my home decorating so much easier since I have so little time available. Thanks so much for helping me decorate my home!
Lovely wreath, and so simple to make!
I love all your wonderful ideas for making our homes so much better. Especially during the holidays. Thank you
Never thought of combining faux and fresh to make a wreath. Genius! We might be getting a “new” wreath this year 🙂
Thank you for this lovely wreath.
Marilyn
This wreath is so lovely.
Marion
This wreath is a beauty. Thanks fro sharing.
Joan
Love the bow! So beautiful!
Got to try this!
You are a genius – love the wreath.
Great use of “Snarley Stuff”! Love it!
You are a genius! Thanks for always sharing the most beautiful tips and tricks! Merry Christmas!
There is nothing like fresh greenery to ring in the spirit
of Christmas. Our family loves the smell.
Cheryl
Thanks for the instructions to make a wreath.
Love this idea! I am definitely going to have try this! I never knew what to do with my wreaths that had seen better days but now I know how to bring them back to life! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful ideas!
Why didn’t I think of that……..so beautiful,quick and etc!
Wish my bows turned out as nice as yours. I guess I will just keep trying! Merry Christmas!
Lovely
Love all the different textures! Looks great, I will have to try my hand at it!
Good Idea..Making Christmas Merry & Bright!
Good Idea….Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you too Nancy!
You’ve inspired me to create a new fabulous wreath for this Christmas holiday… many thanks for the clearly explained instructions………………………
Merry Christmas Everyone…!!!!
Hi Jo-Ann! You are so welcome
My local garden club had a speaker in Nov. demonstrating Colonial Williamsburg Christmas decor ideas. She too used an artificial wreath as a base to add assorted fresh greens, dried flowers and fruit. Using fresh fruit was a trademark of the holiday wreaths during Colonial times.
Yvonne, how do you stay so organized and on top of all that the holidays entail. From shopping, decorating, cooking, and blogging do you get to sleep at all? Or are you like Santa and will have a long sleep right after the holidays.
Lovely! And I like the way you take a scraggly weath, dress it up, then hold it over for the following year. I would have never expected that from a “live” greens wreath.
Truly lovely and so welcoming at the front door… Merry Wishesand Thanks! Judy
That does look easy! I will try it!
hi Yvonne…that is such a great idea…please author a book with all your precious ideas, photos and tutorials…. Your enthusiasm is contagious through your blog writing !…..it will surely be a New York Times BESTSELLER ! Smiles…..Anne
I won’t be decorating this year, but have copied this for next year. Thank you!
Love this idea. But will the fresh branches stick that easily? Nice gift exchange!
Yes, just use lots and lots of hot glue!
just beautiful
So elegant! Thank you for sharing such a great idea! Best wishes,
Excellent tutorial on using old wreath forms, of which I have several in attic. And good tip on buying “second hand” greenery! Thanks!
I can do this, because you took the time to show me how. Thank you! We bought one of those Thuga (cedar like but better) and that will make a knockout wreath.
Never heard of Thuga. Will have to google it.
Would never have thought to use a glue gun instead of wrapping the greens with wire. So much easier!
Yvonne, I didn’t realize how much I miss the fragrance of a real pine tree until I did a parking lot sale at a local Catholic church where thy had a delivery of fresh evergreen for sale. also your comment re” saving the needles reminded me how I used to do just that. Then I put them into the old cuisinart that I kept for non-edible crafting projects… when they were nicely ground I used them for making sachets. Merry Christmas!
Beautiful wreath! Merry Christmas !!!
This looks easy enough for a uncrafty person to do. Hmmm….
It IS!!! Hope you give it a try!
Perhaps your quick wreath idea has come at the perfect time! Today is decorating daY and with a new fiberglass entry door, I am challenged with what I can hang…..which is not last year’s wreath. There are plenty of half decorated and black wreath forms I can use to reinvent a new one! But most important, I want to honor the Lord in this season making our home a welcome place for friends to enjoy. Thanks Yvonne!!
You have so many great ideas… almost seems easy enough for me!!!
The wreath is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your ideas. I love Stone Gable.
Love the tutorial on making a wreath quick and easy. Thanks so much for all the wonderful Holiday ideas. I would love your thoughts on updating lamps we have to make them new/different. Thanks!
What a great idea. Now I wish I hadn’t tossed some well-worn wreaths last year.
Love the bow making instructions! Really needed that!
Your home is always so very inviting and cozy. Love your blog! Happy holidays to you and your family.
Going to try this with my Mom’s old wreaths that I didn’t have the heart to throw away when she died in August. Glad to know I can still make them useful! Thanks!
Who would have thought!! Clever way to start a wreath. Happy November 30th. Judy C
Yvonne,
Just love this wreath! You never cease to amaze me with your ceativity. Thanks for sharing such a great idea. Susie from Chelsea Project
Thanks for a wonderful month of thanksgiving, and planning!!
Easy, makes a nice gift, and still time to make one.
Love your inspirational posts. This wreath and the bow seem so do-able. Gotta give it a try…
Can’t wait to try this
Thanks so much for all your wonderful ideas!
Alana Matthews
Really enjoy all the posts. Great ideas. Keep them coming.
Thanks for your great ideas !!!
I already made the wreath with the faux greens but you gave me a good idea to mix with the evergreens so I will get some and glue them. Thank you!!
Thanks for the tips! I’ve got a few gnarly looking wreaths and some trees outside that will do very well for this!
Easy and elegant.
This is one time when “snarly” is a good thing!!! Thank you for the demonstration!
This looks really pretty and easy !
I thought id use glue, however was able to use some floral wire to secure the heavy branches..
Great thing about living in MN, just trim up a few trees.
Blessings.
So pretty! Thanks for the demonstration.
Love how it looks and that you are recycling !
A great idea! Love it!
Very inspiring!
Thank you for always posting such great ideas! Absolutely Love Stonegable!
This is an easy way to make an inexpensive but beautiful wreath. I especially appreciate the directions for the bow. Thank you for both.
Great idea and tutorial! Where did November go??
You are such an inspiration!! Thank you!!
I have never made a wreath like this before… i will have to give it a try. I bet it smells wonderful… Thanks again…
Even though I’m a Great Grandma I still get inspired by your wonderful blog and look forward to using your ideas using a fresh wreath. God bless.
Pretty. Will have to try this next year!
I am going to try doing this this weekend. Thanks so much Love Stone Gable
Can’t wait to make my own. Love Stone Gable ideas!! Keep them coming.!
Yvonne,
This has been a long day and I finally got to sit down this evening and read your blog for the day. I remember when we use to raise christmas trees,my husband would butt prune the trees and I would bundle the greens into 5 pound bundles,with every tree that we sold,we would give our customers a bundle of tree trimmings for free. We had alot of return customers just so they could get the bundles of mixed greens. I love your idea of using a faux wreath and placing the fresh Greens in the wreath. Have a good evening and I can not wait until tomorrow to see what you will post. Again, thanks
Another lovely project!
Beautiful wreath, I want to make one
What a wonderful idea Yvonne! I love your choice of mixed greens and the bow is just beautiful.
Karen
Very cool idea. Love my glue gun.
Such a clever lady!
The wreath looks so pretty !! such a good idea.
Yvonne, you are so clever. And make it so easy.
What a great idea! I have a couple of wreaths from holidays past that need a face lift so I will be incorporating fresh greens with the artificial. Wish I was better at making bows! Thank you
Wonderful tutorial! Your wreath is beautiful!
I can’t remember how many years I have been receiving your daily posts, and just so you know I ever tire of all the amazing insight you give all of us when it comes to decor, food and so much more. Wishing you and your family the very best Christmas and much health and happiness in the new year
How long will the live greens look good without water? Do you mist the wreath? Looks beautiful!
thanks for sharing! i love fresh greens.
I love how easy this wreath is to make!
Terrific!
Yvonne, your fresh greenery wreath is just so pretty! What great ideas you have! Just love all your posts! I thought my bow was pretty nice BUT, your bow is just gorgeous — and I will use your bow from now on!
Thanks, again, Yvonne, for all the time you spend helping all your readers! Appreciate you so very much!
Have a great day, my friend! God Bless you!
Love this! Thanks!
Another fabulous wreath…I so love having real wreaths….great job Yvonne!
I’m so glad you included the tip about leaving the greenery in the wreaths until next year!! I made a garland for over my front door using different greenery from family, friends, my sweet neighbors & my own yard. It is gorgeous and way more affordable than the similar ones I looked at online($250 for a garland for a month, ummm no!). Mine was free using my 11 year old narly garland as a base. I wanted to do my wreaths but dreaded picking all the greenery out in a few weeks…not now! So thank you again for that tip. Now to get back in the yard for some more cuttings!
For the “other” greenery, do you cut it from your yard, or can you get this at a local garden center that sells trees?
Fantastic!
Love the wreathe and the bow is amazing!! Thanks for sharing your talent with us!
Beautiful! Just FYI none of the wreath pics would pin for me.
I LOVE this blog! I am so happy I found you!!
Mary Louise, we are happy you found us too!
Hi, Any suggestions for a door decoration for after the holidays?
Yes, I’ll have a post about that after Christmas. Look for it in January