Homemade wreaths make a great gift for family and friends for almost any occasion.
During the summer, at Christmas, and even on the 4th of July, a wreath is a great alternative to flowers.
It will mean even more if it is homemade so decide on the type of wreath you want to make:
Homemade Summer Wreaths
Summer wreaths are generally made from dried fruits or seasonal flowers.
Dried apples are a favorite as they are long-lasting and smell wonderful. To make a homemade wreath of dried apples, you will need 15 apples, a baking sheet, the juice of 10 lemons, salt (2 tsp), cinnamon (8 tsp), and allspice (2 tsp).
Later you will also require an 8” gauge wire.
First, you will have to peel, remove the cores, and slice the apples into ¼-inch thick pieces. Mix the lemon juice and salt together and soak the apple slices for 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove the slices and dry them with a paper towel. Next, mix the allspice and cinnamon and coat both sides of the apple slices evenly with the mixture.
Dry the apples by placing them on the baking sheet and then in an oven heated to 150 degrees for 6 hours.
Remove the dried apple slices and allow them to cool. Fold the slices into halves and then into quarters and ‘thread’ them onto the 8” gauge wire.
Fill the wire and twist at the ends to close. The wire can be bent into any shape (hearts, ovals, squares).
Homemade Holiday Wreath
A simple homemade holiday wreath can be made from pine cones.
To create it you will need 15 – 20 medium and large pine cones, a grapevine wreath base (which can be bought at most craft supply stores), glitter, paint (any color that you prefer), a paintbrush, wide ribbon (long enough piece to hang the wreath) and all-purpose glue.
First, you will need to use the glue gun to attach the pine cones to the grapevine wreath base. You can use as many or as few of the pine cones as you like, as the base itself is decorative and can show through the pine cones.
Next, paint the pine cones in the color that will best match your decor, red green, and white are the popular options for the holiday season.
Allow the paint to dry and then use the paintbrush to dab the all-purpose glue to the pine cones. Quickly, sprinkle glitter onto the pine cones and allow it to dry. To hang, thread the ribbon through the center of the wreath and tie in a bow.
Homemade 4th of July wreath
4th of July wreaths are traditionally made using flowers. To create them you will need a store-bought floral foam wreath base and the fresh cut or artificial bunches of the flowers you want to add.
Cut the flowers so that there is a 2-3 inch stem remaining. Arrange the flowers into groups and insert them into the floral foam base repeating the same pattern until the center is completely covered.
Repeat the same process until the edge of the wreath is covered as well.