Seasonal wreaths are a wonderful way to bring the beauty of Calgary’s natural surroundings into your home during the cooler months. Whether you're decorating for fall or preparing for the holidays, crafting your own wreath allows you to personalize your space with the perfect combination of colors, textures, and seasonal elements.
Here’s how to create a beautiful and long-lasting wreath using local materials.
Choosing your wreath base. The foundation of a stunning wreath starts with selecting the right base. Options include grapevine, wire frames, or recycled cardboard wreath rings. Grapevine bases offer a rustic, natural look and are sturdy enough to hold various decorations. Wire frames provide support for heavier items, while recycled cardboard rings are an eco-friendly alternative – they’re lightweight, sturdy, and easy to customize.
Gathering and preparing materials. One of the joys of making a seasonal wreath is incorporating materials from Calgary’s natural surroundings. In the fall, gather vibrant aspen leaves, colorful mountain ash berries, and pinecones from local pine or spruce trees. Native grasses like blue grama or wheatgrass add an interesting texture and subtle color contrast.
For winter wreaths, use evergreen branches from native trees like lodgepole pine, white spruce, and cedar. Native grasses can also be included for their unique texture, adding depth and interest to your wreath.
Prepare your materials by cutting branches, foliage, and grasses into 6- to 8-inch lengths. Working with small bundles makes it easier to attach them securely to your wreath base and creates a fuller, more cohesive look.
Group materials into small bundles, layering different types of foliage, twigs, or grasses. Secure each bundle with floral wire or twine before attaching it to the wreath. Work around the base in one direction, overlapping bundles slightly to avoid gaps and ensure a polished, uniform appearance.
Layering colors and textures. Selecting the right mix of colors and textures is key to creating a visually appealing wreath. For fall, choose earthy tones like deep greens, rich browns, and golds, and incorporate native grasses for a natural, textured look. For winter, use cool tones like whites, silvers, and blues, with metallic accents for a festive touch. The contrast between glossy berries and rough pinecones, or delicate foliage and firmer branches, adds depth to your design.
Distribute colors evenly around the wreath and avoid overcrowding by leaving small gaps between bundles. This helps maintain balance and prevents the wreath from looking too heavy.
Eco-friendly crafting. For a more sustainable wreath, opt for recycled cardboard wreath rings as an eco-friendly base. These rings are biodegradable and easy to customize with materials you might already have at home.
Using locally-sourced materials like fallen branches, leaves, pinecones, and native grasses reduces the environmental impact of your project. These natural elements are not only visually appealing, but also eco-conscious and easy to collect.
Tips for wreath longevity. To keep your wreath looking fresh throughout the season, regular maintenance is essential. If using natural greenery, mist your wreath with water on occasion to keep it hydrated, especially if displayed indoors. Store the wreath in a cool, shaded place when not in use to preserve its color and freshness.
For outdoor wreaths, secure heavier items with extra wire to prevent them from falling off in windy conditions. Place delicate materials like dried flowers or leaves under cover, such as on a porch or sheltered doorway, to protect them from the elements.
Inspired? Try a fall or winter workshop at Bloom Culture. These sessions offer hands-on guidance and professional design techniques for crafting stunning wreaths and other holiday decorations. We provide all the materials, so you can focus on creating something special for your home.
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