DIY Christmas Wreath!

This festive time of year also celebrates evergreen plants and trees! Most people hang a pine wreath on their front door as a welcome symbol for all who come by. The past few years, I've been experimenting with DIY wreaths, and have made a few magnolia leaf, springtime themed and several Christmas pine wreaths. Here's why making your own fresh wreath is awesome - it is very inexpensive and quick to put together!  Here's what you need:

Equipment
- Several pine branches. Home Depot and other temporary tree lots that do a "fresh cut" are happy to give you discarded bottom branches for free. Just ask. FREE!
- A wire circle wreath base, 12"-18" diameter. This year I used a 14" quilting hoop as I had it around. Wreath bases are available at crafting stores. I recommend a style like this one. 
- Green Floral wire, 24 gauge
- Decor, including bow, pine cones, etc. (optional)
- Heavy duty scissors or pruning shears 
- Gardening gloves (optional)

Instructions

Cutting branches

Once you've picked up some free pine branches, preferably of all the same type of tree, prep your work area either outside or indoors in an easy place to sweep.  Using the scissors or pruning sheers, clip off the bushy branch ends in lengths of 6" to 12" long. Clip enough for a large pile. Your hands will get some tree sap on them, so you may want to wear gloves.

Wrapping wire around frame and cut branch end

Take the wreath frame and floral wire and wrap a bit of the wire around the frame to secure. Make a few loops by going up from the middle of the frame and circle the outside. You will circle the frame a lot with wire, so keeping the wire taught while working is important. Pick out one of the biggest branches and lay along the frame, greenery side up.  Using the wire and looping wrapping motion, secure the cut end of the branch to the frame. This will take 1-2 loops to wrap.  Then, moving down from the cut end of the first branch, lay a new branch down, covering the cut area and wire of the first one. Secure with more wire loops. Continue around your wreath, you may have to cut more short branches. When you reach the first branch, lift it up and secure more branches so the looping is hidden and tucked under, not visible. Adjust the wreath for fullness as needed.

Finished wreath - just needs decorating!

Wreath view from behind

To decorate, I used components of an old sugared berry wreath and a piece of ribbon.  I attached the berry pieces with three short pieces of green floral wire, twisting the wire behind the frame to secure. I tied the ribbon in a festive knot on the side. You may want to add other components, like pine cones, fake fruit, ornaments, or even battery powered lights. Make sure to secure each component separately with floral wire.  
Final step - hang on your door, take a picture and share with friends!