How to Make a Christmas Wreath: A Florist’s Guide from Grand Flowers

There’s something wonderfully timeless about a Christmas wreath. Whether you hang it proudly on your front door or use it as a festive centrepiece, it’s one of those traditions that instantly brings warmth, fragrance and a touch of magic to the Christmas season. At Grand Flowers, we make and sell hundreds of wreaths every December, and year after year customers tell us the same thing: “Yours always look so much fuller and more beautiful than the ones I try at home.”

So today, we’re letting you in on a few of the expert secrets that go into creating a proper, florist-standard Christmas wreath — while keeping this friendly, practical, and easy to follow if you want to make your own. And if you prefer to leave it to the pros, don’t worry… our full range of handcrafted wreaths will be available throughout the season, ready to take home or order online.

---

Step 1: Start with the Right Base (It Makes a Huge Difference)

Before you even touch a piece of foliage, the foundation matters. A good wreath starts with a sturdy mossed ring — the same type we use in the shop. It holds moisture, keeps the foliage fresh for weeks, and gives you something substantial to anchor stems into.

Many supermarket-style wreaths use wire frames with minimum foliage, which is why they look flat and dry out quickly. A mossed base gives you that plump, full look that lasts right into January.

You can pick up moss rings, wires and florist tools directly from Grand Flowers — everything we use in-house is available in the shop.

---

Step 2: Choose Your Foliage Like a Florist

This is where the magic really starts. A professional wreath has texture, layers and movement — not just a single type of greenery bent into a circle.

For our signature “wild & country” look, we recommend a mixture of:

• Nordmann fir – your classic, long-lasting Christmas greenery

• Blue spruce – silvery, scented and wonderfully textural

• Eucalyptus – for softness, fragrance and shape

• Cypress or conifer – the perfect filler to add bulk without heaviness

• Ilex berries or faux berries – for those festive pops of red

If you’re making your own wreath, feel free to come into Grand Flowers and choose foliage by the stem or bundle — we stock the same premium greens we use in our own designs.

The trick is to mix different textures: something fluffy, something structured, something scented, something glossy. You want layers, not uniformity.

---

Step 3: Build Your Foliage in Small Bundles

Here’s a tip most beginners don’t know: we never place foliage stems onto the wreath one by one. Instead, we create little mini-bundles (“sprigs”) containing a mix of greenery — then wire each bundle onto the ring, one after the other, working clockwise.

This gives your wreath instant volume and ensures the greenery overlaps naturally instead of sticking out in random directions.

A good bundle might contain:

• One piece of fir

• One eucalyptus stem

• A softer piece of conifer

Repeat this all the way around the wreath until it looks full and lush.

---

Step 4: Add Your Festive Touches

Once your base is complete, you can have some fun with decorations. Again, the key to a “Grand Flowers look” is natural charm — rustic, fragrant and full of character.

Some of our favourite additions are:

• Dried orange slices

• Cinnamon sticks tied with twine

• Pine cones

• Ilex or rosehip berries

• Ribbon bows

We always recommend wiring decorations rather than glueing them. Wire holds up better outdoors and lets you reposition things without damage. (Although if it makes life easier feel free to glue them - whatever works and life is short!) 

If you need decorations, we sell everything individually in the shop — so you can pick your colours and textures exactly how you want them.

---

Step 5: Finishing Touches That Make It Look Professional

Here are a few “florist secrets” that separate a homemade wreath from a high-end one:

Trim the edges

Once the foliage is attached, turn the wreath and lightly trim any pieces sticking out too far. Keep it round, but don’t aim for perfection — a little wildness is what makes it charming.

Check for bald spots

Hold the wreath up at arm’s length. Anything missing? Tuck in a few extra sprigs.

Add depth

Your wreath shouldn't look flat. Use different foliage lengths to create movement and that natural, woodland feel.

Finish with a quality ribbon

A proper velvet or linen ribbon instantly elevates the design — and yes, we stock lots of beautiful options in-store.

---

Prefer a Ready-Made Wreath? We’ve Got You Covered

If you love the idea of a wreath but don’t fancy a living-room carpet full of fir needles, our team makes a stunning range of handcrafted Christmas wreaths, all prepared in our wild & country style.

We offer:

• Classic green wreaths

• Berry-heavy designs

• Foliage-rich eucalyptus wreaths

• Luxury, oversized styles

• Natural rustic wreaths with dried fruit and cinnamon

All made by our amazing team!

You can pop into the shop, call to reserve one, or order online for delivery across Eastbourne.

---

Making Your Own vs Buying One — Our Honest Take

We think making your own wreath is a lovely Christmas tradition — and if you’re creative or fancy a project, it’s hugely satisfying.

But buying a ready-made one gives you:

• guaranteed fullness

• florist-grade long-lasting foliage

• expert wiring and shaping

• immediate “hang it up and enjoy” convenience

Either way, we’re here to help. Whether you want to pick your own foliage or simply choose the style you like from our displays, we’ve got everything you need this Christmas.

---

Want help choosing decorations or foliage?

Just pop into Grand Flowers — we love helping people create something beautiful. And if you bring a photo of your door, we’ll even advise which style suits it best!