Natural Christmas Wreaths and Other Crafts
How to Make Wreaths and Decorations from Nature's Bounty
We love nature's bounty and enjoy gathering the supplies for our family's Christmas wreath and other decorations. The gathering starts as soon as the interesting seed pods form, usually in the fall. Pine trees abound where we live, so our wreaths have a foundation of pine cones with the additional cones and leaves of the Southern Magnolia and some local nuts and berries all on a homemade grapevine wreath form.
We have also provided videos and links to show you other ways to make Christmas and Advent wreaths. If you don't have time to make your own wreath, then links to beautiful natural wreaths are provided.
Contents at a Glance
One of My Favorite Things - Gathering Decorations from Nature
We have always been close to nature and when the holidays come around, my decorations consist of collages of objects gathered from the forests and fields. One of my favorite creations is a Christmas wreath made from cones, seed pods, nuts, berries and other gathered plant materials. We start with a flexible, green grape vine, which is easy to find since they grow wild all over Louisiana.
Here's how we make the grapevine wreath:
1. Cut 3-4 strands of green grapevine, about 15-20 feet long.
2. Hold them together so the cut ends are even and the vines are laying in a straight, untangled line.
3. Start winding your wreath from the cut ends, shaping it into the desired size.
4. When you get about 5-6 feet from the end, start winding the vines in and out through the center and around the outside of the wreath to secure the vines and hold the shape.
5. To finish, weave the ends into the wreath to secure them.
6. Now you are ready to begin decorating the wreath.
Christmas Greeting
Author Unknown
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Sing hey! Sing hey!For Christmas Day;
Twine mistletoe and holly,
For friendship glows
In winter snows,
And so let's all be jolly.
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Natural Plant Materials for Wreaths and Decorations
There are so many natural plant materials that make lovely wreaths. Since we live in Pine country, we collect pine cones of different sizes. This forms the foundation of the wreath.
Other interesting seed pods and berries include:
Holly (including Yaupon)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Magnolia (cones and leaves)
Florida Anise seed pods
Sweet Gum balls
Hickory nuts
Chinese Tallow tree seed clusters
Cotton bolls (with or without the cotton)
Yellow-eyed Grass seed pods.
Look around the woods and your yard for interesting shapes and textures. Magnolia leaves are very tough and will last for a few years. They can even be spray painted with gold, silver or clear finish. Other evergreens like cedar and short-leaf pines also add color and beauty.
We use florist's wire and hot glue to secure the plant materials. Some of the thicker stems can be forced between the vines, but some of the larger pine cones my need to be wired on. You may also want to add artificial berries to make the wreath more long lasting. Finish it off with a big festive bow. You can make your own, but the Dollar Store usually has pretty ones for a couple of dollars.
Natural Wreath with a Bonus
When this picture was taken, this wreath was over 2 years old. We had a death in the family right after Christmas so the wreath was left up through February and a pair of Carolina Wrens took up residence and turned this ordinary wreath into something special. Next Christmas, all we have to do is add some new Magnolia leaves and some berries (natural and artificial) and some artificial bird's eggs in the nest and we'll have a unique and beautiful natural wreath.
Handmade Nature's Best Nest Spanish Moss Wreath

Best Nest Spanish Moss Wreath
Natures Best Nest wreaths--made with natural style! Our charming twig wreath is an artful arrangement, brimming with seeds and nesting materials for your birds. Looks delightful on a door, fence or shed-or enjoy it indoors! Each wreath is handmade at Duncraft with all-natural materials-no two are alike. Your wreath may be decorated with graceful grasses such as wheat, oat or millet for the birds to snack on, and includes nesting materials such as cotton, aspen fibers, Spanish moss and feathers. Complete with a hand-tied, raffia bow with flowing streamers. 14 inches in diameter.
Christmas Wreath Books
Photos of Some Ideas for Christmas Wreaths
Natural Christmas Crafts Books
An Old Williamsburg Christmas
A natural Christmas wreath can be used for the door or as an advent wreath or table centerpiece.
Advent Wreaths on Amazon
Advent Wreaths on eBay
Ready Made Wreaths for Busy People
Christmas Wreaths on eBay
Naturally Native Christmas on Zazzle
To See More Designs Visit Naturally Native Creations at Zazzle.com.
Christmas Plants
Solveig Paulson Russel
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Oh, the mistletoe and holly,The bayberry and yew,
The needled pines and hemlocks,
And the fir trees, too,
All lend themselves at Christmastime
To make the season gay,
Shedding fragrance and cheer
In their own bright way.
The poinsettia adds its beauty,
And the yule log burns with cheer,
And other plants add to the fun
At the ending of the year.
So here's a cheer for Christmas greens,
And all plants that have a part
In making Christmas blossom
In the gardens of the heart!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Natural Birdseed Wreath
Duncraft's birdseed wreaths-handmade and fresh Dense and delicious! Hearty bird-edible wreaths-each made with the freshest seeds and Duncraft's exclusive blends. Trimmed with a red raffia bow and hangs from a jute hanger. 7 x 2 inches thick. Handmade in Concord, NH.
Grapes and Making a Grape Vine Wreath Video
Christmas Wreath Ornaments etc. on Amazon

Happy Holidays Christmas Postage Stamp by TDSwhite
Nativity Advent Calendar Personalized Christmas Ornament - $ 35.95
This nativity set is fun for the whole family. It lets your child add one piece to the manger setting for each of the 24 days of December before Christmas!

Cardinal in Holly Christmas Card and Postage Designs by Naturally Native
For years, we have been sharing both native plant and easy to grow introduced plant seeds with our friends and family. We discovered that the 2 1/4" X 3 1/2" paper coin envelopes are perfect for giving seeds. We print out a label containing the planting information and description and stick that to the front of the envelope. Then we put a package of the seeds into each of our Christmas cards (more for the gardeners on our list). Most people really enjoy and will plant the little extra gift and it's our way of spreading natives and hummingbird and butterfly plants around. Christmas Comfort and Joy
More Christmas Wreath Things on Amazon
Natural Christmas Wreaths Blog Posts
- Tennessee State Parks Series: Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area remains true ...
- 17-18; and Lamplight Christmas Wreath Exhibit and Winterfest Art Show, beginning in December and continuing through Jan. 4. The Lamplight Christmas Wreath Exhibit will replace the annual Christmas Tree Exhibit. "We had to change the event this year ...
- Valentine's Day: Your Brain on Love
- At another house a large Valentine heart hangs over a Christmas wreath, as if to seamlessly spread joy and gifts from one holiday to another. A flower basket of shiny red hearts hangs on another door as a reminder that the month of May and flowers will ...
- Recent Obsessions: Keira Knightley, Itz Fitz wreaths, Book of Drugs, Noosa and ...
- Made with yarn and embellished with tasteful and expertly crafted felt flowers, the wreaths are suitable for display year-round, unlike the Christmas greens that start to wither as the weeks go by. Find a selection of the wreaths, which range in size ...
- Browse Special Issues
- It's helped fund a flu clinic and a banquet, and entered a Christmas wreath (nature-and-wildlife-themed) in a contest to benefit a local museum. Ultra is a sponsor of the Wyoming Land Trust, which works with private landowners to conserve Wyoming's ...
Other Christmas Craft Lenses You May Enjoy
Tell us about your Family Christmas Traditions.
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COUNTRYLUTHIER
Dec 26, 2011 @ 11:42 pm | delete
- Nicely done artisan squid. Your work in wreaths is commendable. Loved the use of the nest!
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ElizabethJeanAllen
Dec 21, 2010 @ 2:23 pm | delete
- Your wreaths are beautiful! I'm going to make a birdseed wreath within the next day or two. Hanging it in the tree is one of our Christmas Eve traditions.
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WildFacesGallery
Nov 26, 2010 @ 7:21 pm | delete
- I love this charming wreath and have featured this lens on my Handmade Christmas Lensography.
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TheWhistler
Nov 13, 2010 @ 12:13 pm | delete
- I love Christmas Wreaths. Thank you for the lens.
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Betsi_Goutal
Nov 1, 2010 @ 6:13 pm | delete
- Wonderful lens, I'm feeling the Christmas spirit already! :)
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About Naturegirl7
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Louisiana Nature and Fun
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Links to Christmas Wreath Making
HowStuffWorks "Holly-Themed Wreaths"
Holly-themed wreaths combine two great Christmas d more...0 points
Pine Cone Wreath Craft - Christmas decorations making wreaths
Instructions to make a wreath using pine cones and more...0 points
How to Create a Christmas Wreath - wikiHow
wikiHow article about How to Create a Christmas Wr more...0 points
Christmas Wreaths meaning | Rockdale Wreaths
The meaning of Christmas wreaths - We ship wreaths0 points
How to make and use an Advent wreath
Instructions for making your own Advent wreath.0 points
The History of the Advent Wreath
An internet library of journal articles, essays, b more...0 points
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naturegirl7
My husband and I have always loved nature and the outdoors. We currently maintain a 9 acre private wildlife preserve.
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