Looking for a simple way to make your own Christmas wreath this year? Fern, aged 9, and her mum Jill show you how to make a lovely wreath from foliage and leaves gathered on a walk near home. It’s an easy, low-cost craft that gets kids outdoors and ends with something beautiful to hang on the door — or, as this family found, somewhere a little more sheltered.
What you’ll need
- A plain wreath ring or base (wicker, twig, or wire — Fern brought a spare wicker ring home from school)
- A bag for collecting foliage
- Scissors
- Gloves (handy for picking through prickly or rough stems)
- Garden twine or florist’s wire, if you need extra help securing stems
Step 1: Go foraging for foliage
We went for a walk near our house and gathered a bag full of foliage.
Don’t forget to take some scissors and wear gloves — it really helps when you’re picking leaves and stems.
We gathered ivy strands, long stems and leaves from bushes, along with some rosehips and red berry clusters. Look out for a mix of textures as you go: a few longer, bendier stems to build the shape, and plenty of shorter sprigs to fill in the gaps.
Step 2: Build your base
You’ll need a few longer stems to start your wreath shape, then you can poke in the smaller, shorter stems as you fill it out. Fern had been making wreaths at school and brought home a spare ring — made from wicker twigs bent into a circle and tied in two places — which made a perfect base to build on.
You can add tinsel, ribbon or other decorations if you like a bit of sparkle. This family decided to keep theirs completely natural, letting the berries and ivy do the talking.
Watch how it’s done
Fern and Jill’s video walks you through the whole process, from foraging to finished wreath — a lovely one to watch together before you head out to gather your own foliage.
Where to hang it
In the end, this family hung their wreath inside on the back of a door, rather than outside on the front door. The constant opening and closing of a front door can knock a natural wreath out of shape fairly quickly, so if yours is delicate, an inside door, a wall, or a sheltered porch may help it last longer through the season.
You might also like 15 Christmas Crafts for Kids for more festive ideas to try with the family.
Have you made a Christmas wreath before? Let us know your tips in the comments below.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need special foliage to make a wreath?
Not at all. Ivy, evergreen bush trimmings, and any sturdy leafy stems you find on a walk will work well. Rosehips or berry clusters add a lovely pop of colour, but the wreath will look great with greenery alone.
What if I don’t have a wicker wreath base?
A simple wire coat hanger bent into a circle, or a ring cut from cardboard, can work as a base if you don’t have a ready-made wicker or twig ring.
How long will a natural wreath last?
This depends on the foliage used and where it’s hung. Keeping it somewhere sheltered, away from direct heat and constant knocks (like a busy front door), tends to help it hold its shape and colour for longer.
Related articles
- 15 Christmas Crafts for Kids
- Easy Christmas Crafts to Make with Foraged Nature Finds
- Fun Family Activities to Get Ready for Christmas
Save this idea for later
Not ready to make your wreath just yet? Save this page or bookmark it so you have the steps and video handy when you’re ready to head out foraging. And if you’re looking for more seasonal craft inspiration, browse our other Christmas activity ideas for kids.
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