DIY: Make a Woodland Chic Wreath

Step-by-Step instructions plus places around RI hosting workshops

Photography by Kate Taylor, Polar Square Designs

Protect hands from thorns and sticky sap with garden gloves

Photography by Kate Taylor, Polar Square Designs

Posted Monday, December 1, 2025 9:00 am

By Julie Christina

A natural wreath can serve as a stunning focal point in any room, whether hung on a door, above a mantelpiece, or even as a table centerpiece. Try making your own this season, crafted from a mix of evergreens, berries, unusual seed pods, cones, and even lichen or moss to evoke a sense of tranquility and connection to nature. This eco-friendly decoration fills spaces with fresh scents and adds a personal, hands-on touch.

PREP

A wire wreath frame was used for this project, but most any round form can do. Some ideas: a grapevine wreath, a large embroidery or metal hoop.

GATHER

Pick greens responsibly and locally to guarantee freshness. Always check your own backyard first, you may be surprised what you can find. Look for evergreens; chamaecyparis, peiris, boxwood, and winterberry were used in the wreath shown.

Cones and seed pods
Gardening gloves to protect hands
Scissors or wire clippers
Spool of wire
Wreath frame

CREATE

Clear a flat surface for messy work, either indoors or outside.
Begin by making small bundles to wire together. Think six-to-eight-inch-long branches and sprigs, wrapped tightly at the base like a little broom. All bundles can be the same, or you can design two or three styles to repeat, forming a pattern.
Work to conceal the frame by placing bundles at a slight diagonal, and wrapping wires toward the base to secure (wrapping at least twice). Layer bundles in the same direction, always covering ends with the next bundle on top. Keep adding greens until you have the look you wish, simple or full. After you’ve gone around, tuck your last bundle under the first.
Adorn the wreath by placing cones and berries (also wrapped with wire) onto the wreath. Secure in place by tucking, and adding more wire if needed. Shape and fluff to conceal wire.
Attach wire – or a length of wide ribbon – to hang and enjoy!

Woodland Wonderland

November 29-January 11: Kinney Azalea Gardens turns its garden into a Festival of Trees, using natural designs and trees decorated by volunteers using nature themes such as ocean, birds, fairies, toadstools, pinecones, dried botanicals, and more. The event runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10am-3pm. Kingston, KinneyAzaleaGardens.com