Decorating a Plain Christmas Wreath: Top Tips and Ideas
Everyone knows that the Christmas tree is the star of the show, but there would be no panto without the supporting cast! If a Christmas wreath is in your lineup this festive season, why not add a personal sparkle by decorating your own?
If you’ve always pined (tree pun intended) after a Blue Peter badge, decorating a plain wreath is the perfect way to flex those crafting muscles and show everyone your skills.
What’s more, it’s a great family-friendly activity; gather the kids and get creative as you spread Christmas cheer!
In this guide, we’ll cover:
Decorating a Plain Christmas Wreath: Top Tips and Ideas
What is a Christmas wreath, and why do we hang them?
What you will need to decorate a plain wreath
5 ideas for decorating a plain wreath
- Traditional Christmas wreath
- Forest fantasy wreath
- White Christmas wreath
- Colourful Christmas wreath
- Sparkling wreath
Top tips for how to decorate a plain wreath
How to decorate a plain wreath with children
Why decorate a plain Christmas wreath?
Find everything you need for decorating a plain wreath at Christmas Tree World
What is a Christmas wreath, and why do we hang them?
A Christmas wreath is a ring-shaped arrangement of foilage, typically branches of an evergreen tree, often decorated with flowers, ribbons, and baubles.
The origin of wreaths dates back to the Roman and Greek eras, far before we celebrated Christmas! They became associated with Christmas as the Christmas tree became popularised during the 16th century.
Europeans began to bring wreaths into their homes and hang them as a symbol of eternal life, as the evergreen continued to thrive in the winter when all other plants died.
Today, the humble wreath is a Christmas staple in homes all over the continent, and it’s had the makeover of a lifetime!
What you will need to decorate a plain wreath
When it comes to arts and crafts, there is no right or wrong. What you’ll need depends on what style you opt for.
The only essential item is a plain Christmas wreath - at Christmas Tree World, we have several options that are perfect for the job!
Here are a few other supplies that might come in handy:
- A hot glue gun
- Garden/floral wire
- Scissors
- Ribbon
- Foilage, flowers, and seasonal plants
- Fairy lights
- Baubles and bells
- Dried fruits
- Tinsel
- Candy canes
- Plush Christmas decorations/toys
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. With our inspiration and your imagination, the sky is the limit!
5 ideas for decorating a plain wreath
Now you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to let your inspiration loose!
As we’ve mentioned, there is no “wrong” way to decorate a Christmas wreath – just go with your style preferences and have fun! If your wreath will hang inside your home, you may want to decorate it to match the colour and textural themes found elsewhere so everything feels in harmony come the festive period.
Top tip: For a truly professional aesthetic, decorate your Christmas wreath in the same style as your artificial Christmas tree!
1. Traditional Christmas wreath
Classics are classics for a reason, and what better way to evoke the nostalgia of Christmas past than through a traditional Christmas wreath? Think red, green, and gold colours; simple baubles and bows; and twinkling Christmas lights.
Follow these steps to create your traditional wreath:
- Weave string fairy lights through the branches until the circle is complete.
- Tie red and green ribbons into neat bows and fix them to the wreath using a hot glue gun.
- Gather a selection of small red and gold baubles and tie them to the wreath’s longer branches.
2. Forest fantasy wreath
Bring the outside in by creating a wreath brimming with fruit and foliage. This wreath is perfect for adding a touch of nature to your Christmas grotto. Here’s how to make it:
- Gather your supplies. Kids will love going on a Christmas hunt for twigs, holly, and pinecones. Cinnamon sticks, dried fruit, and mistletoe add the perfect finishing touch (don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone if you don’t pick these yourself!).
- Use garden/floral wire to tie holly branches and weave longer twigs and branches through the wreath.
- Use a hot glue gun to stick the fiddlier pinecones, fruit, and spices to the front.
3. White Christmas wreath
If you’re opting for a white or snowy Christmas tree this year, why not decorate your wreath to match? Here’s what we’d recommend:
- Use fake snow spray to sprinkle your wreath with as much or as little snow as you desire.
- Weave through white plants like mistletoe, snowdrops, and gypsophila.
- Tie on some white and silver or frosted baubles.
Everyone remembers making paper snowflakes before the Christmas holidays at school. As a bonus craft activity, why not make some with your kids?
As long as your wreath will hang indoors (away from the winter wind and rain), you can attach these to your Christmas wreath using fishing wire.
4. Colourful Christmas wreath
Decorate with all the colours of the rainbow and fun accessories to put a modern twist on a timeless Christmas tradition. Follow these steps to jazz up a plain wreath:
- Weave some brightly coloured fairy lights (such as these blue lights) through your wreath.
- Tie coloured ribbons and baubles onto the branches.
- Finally, use a hot glue gun to attach novelty decorations such as candy canes, lollipops, and small plush toys.
5. Sparkling wreath
Are you a sucker for sparkles? Go all out with a glittering wreath that shines brighter than the North Star! Our tinsel pop-up Christmas trees will complement this wreath perfectly! Here’s how to create a wreath no one could ignore:
- Weave a set of warm fairy lights through the wreath. Then, take a set of bright white lights and thread through the gaps to achieve a twinkling effect.
- Grab some silver and gold tinsel and snip it into 5-inch pieces. Thread the tinsel through holes in the wreath, letting pieces pop out the front.
- Finish with metallic (white and silver or bronze and gold) baubles for an extra glimmer.
Top tips for how to decorate a plain wreath
Now you’ve been inspired, we’d like to share a few tips for decorating any plain wreath.
- Consider where you’re going to hang your wreath. If it will be outside or on your front door, remember that it isn’t safe from the elements. For outdoor wreaths, it's best to avoid fairy lights and non-waterproof objects. Explore our collection of outdoor Christmas wreaths to find the perfect addition to your home’s exterior display.
- Wreaths made from real evergreen trees usually only last 1-2 weeks indoors, so factor this in before buying one. We'd recommend purchasing an artificial plain Christmas wreath for a decoration that will last for years.
- Most importantly, don’t be afraid to go off-piste and style your wreath creatively. Remember, your only limitation is your imagination!
How to decorate a plain wreath with children
Decorating a plain wreath is the perfect festive family activity. When kids are involved, it's wise to take some extra precautions.
- Make sure an adult is always on hand to supervise when using tools such as a hot glue gun, scissors, and lights.
- Things will probably get messy! Lay protective sheeting on your workspace to make cleaning up easier.
- Children may get frustrated if their vision isn’t going to plan, so recount the wise words of Bob Ross: “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents”.
If you’re looking for more crafty projects to get your children into the Christmas spirit, you could paint your own Christmas bauble, make a bauble wreath, or make Christmas crackers. Our blog is full of ideas to keep the fun flowing.
Why decorate a plain Christmas wreath?
There are many reasons why you might opt for a homemade Christmas wreath over a store-bought one. Here are a few benefits of working a little DIY (Decorate-It-Yourself) magic:
- If you can’t find the perfect wreath to match your decor, decorating your own gives you total creative freedom to create the wreath of your dreams.
- Store-bought wreaths can be expensive. You can spruce up a plain wreath to achieve a million-dollar look, even on a tight budget.
- Decorating your own Christmas wreath adds a personal touch. You and your family can proudly gaze upon your creation for many Christmases to come.
- If your wreath is looking a little outdated by next Christmas, you can strip it back and decorate it all over again.
Find everything you need for decorating a plain wreath at Christmas Tree World
Here at Christmas Tree World, we provide inspiration and everything you need to dress up a plain wreath.
With our plain artificial wreaths, baubles in all shapes, sizes and colours, and magical lights, you’ll be all set to create the ultimate homemade wreath. If D-I-Y sounds like a D-R-A-G, check out our pre-decorated and pre-lit wreaths.
And it doesn’t stop there; our artificial Christmas trees, Christmas garlands, and outdoor products are all you need to transform your home into a wonderland!
We offer a 10-year guarantee on all foliage products (that’s trees, wreaths, and garlands), so you can relax knowing that your plain wreath will hang proudly for years to come. Better yet, you’ll get free, tracked delivery when you spend over £30!
Our elves really know their stuff! They’re on standby to answer any questions you might have, so don’t hesitate to get in touch via the customer helpdesk.
FAQs about decorating a plain Christmas wreath
How can I update my plain Christmas wreath for the next holiday season?
If your wreath is in need of a makeover to keep up with Christmas tree trends, stripping it back and starting from scratch is no great challenge.
Baubles and ribbons can easily be untied, whilst lights, foliage, and tinsel can be unwoven from the leaves. To remove objects attached with a hot glue gun, soak a cotton ball with 70% isopropyl alcohol and dab it around the glue until it loosens.
You’ll be left with a blank canvas ready for your next project!
Why choose an artificial plain Christmas wreath?
Our tips and ideas are great for decorating any wreath, natural or artificial. Maybe we’re biased, but we’d opt for an artificial Christmas wreath because:
- They won’t die: A real wreath can hang indoors for around 1-2 weeks. Our artificial wreaths thrive for years, so you can admire your handiwork for many Christmases to come.
- Artificial wreaths are safer: Leaves and branches are flammable, while our artificial foliage is flame-retardant. If you plan on adding lights to your creation, it's worth considering that an artificial wreath won’t catch fire.
- Nature is unpredictable: Real wreaths are fiddly to work with, pines can fall off, and the circle could break. It's better to choose a sturdy, artificial wreath that can withstand a bit of manhandling, particularly if you're decorating with kids.
How do you attach baubles to Christmas wreaths?
You can hang baubles on your wreath by tying them to the larger branches, though this may be trickier if you use large baubles. If you’re having trouble, another option is to use a hot glue gun to stick the bauble directly to the wreath.
How do you attach lights to Christmas wreaths?
Weave your lights back and forth through the branches of your wreath until you have completed the circle. If using battery-powered lights, tuck away the battery pack at the back of the wreath where it is out of sight.
How do you hang a Christmas wreath?
Once you’ve chosen the perfect location for your wreath, hammer a nail into the wall or door or use a suction/stick-on hook to minimise damage to the area. A door knocker would also work as an anchor.
Most Christmas wreaths feature a hook, which you can hang directly from the ledge using ribbon. If your wreath does not include a hook, you can use ribbon or fish wire to dangle it from the anchor.
Read our detailed guide on how to hang a Christmas wreath from your door for more tips and tricks.
