A SOLID Christmas Wreath

This Autumn saw the launch of our 1% Better Campaign, a campaign aimed at reducing our carbon footprint. We endeavour to find new ways to reduce emissions and build solid structures across every sector that are better prepared for the effects of extreme climates. We plan on being just 1% Better Every Day - it’s ok to start small because momentum adds up.

With Christmas fast approaching we are implementing our 1% Better ideas for a more sustainable holiday season and have started with a SOLID wreath making workshop - omitting floristry oasis for copper rings and foraging for seasonal greenery. Follow our tutorial below and create your own sustainable wreath.

You Will Need

Floristry oasis was the original favourite for wreaths as it could be saturated with water and would keep foliage looking fresher for longer. However, oasis, or floral foam, is particularly bad for the environment. Made from plastic it is non-recyclable, won’t biodegrade and is toxic to both animals and humans. Copper rings are a fantastic alternative. When they reach the end of their lives they can be recycled, but a copper ring will last years if it is cared for. At the end of the Christmas season simply remove your foliage and dry your ring, then store it in a dry place for the year and reuse it next Christmas.

To Begin

Take your roll of floristry wire and wrap the end of the wire around the ring to secure it in place. If you are using moss, now is the time to add this. Moss is an optional addition. If you keep it moist (which it usually will be in the damp British Winter) it can function as a natural alternative to oasis and will keep your foliage fresher for longer. However, some moss varieties can take a long time to grow and establish so only use it if you have access to an abundance, are removing it from a place where it is unwanted, or are using a variety that grows rapidly. Without moss your wreath will last well regardless. The foliage may dry out naturally but will have the appearance of a dry floral arrangement which adds to the charm.

To add moss, take a clump and wedge it between the bars on the wreath ring then wrap wire around it to hold the moss in place. Do this all the way around. The more moss you use, the fuller the wreath will look. Once the layer of moss is finished (or if you are not using moss) it is time to begin adding foliage. The idea is to layer up your wreath gradually. This first layer of greenery should avoid anything with prickles or large, textured items. Fir works well. Make mini bunches and wire them onto the ring to hold them in place, layer them up by adding more. If all the bunches face the same direction it helps create a more uniformed look.

The Next Layer

With this next layer you can be as creative as you like and can build up your wreath to give it a very full appearance. As you have already filled the wreath with your first layer you will find that you shouldn’t need your wire as much now. You can simply insert extra greenery into the base, weaving it in to secure it. However, keep your wire connected to the ring as it will come in handy if you find certain areas need securing. Feel free to continue layering up your wreath until you are happy with the overall look, then use scissors or wire cutters to cut the floristry wire.

Decoration

Finally, finish your wreath with decorations to really make it stand out. We recommend using natural items to decorate your wreath such as nuts, conkers, cinnamon sticks, pinecones and orange slices, but you can use whatever you choose.

Orange slices will add a lovely Christmassy scent to your wreath, and it is easy to dry them out yourself at home. Begin by preheating your oven to 140 degrees Celsius then line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. Arrange the slices on the tray so that they don’t overlap then bake for approximately one hour, turning occasionally until the oranges are completely dried out.

If you plan to hang your wreath indoors, your orange slices may last for years to come. Hung outside, the oranges won’t last so long. If the weather is very damp the slices can go mouldy in time, so it may be worth making or buying a bigger batch than you think you need so that you can swap slices over when the first ones begin to look sad.

Once the Christmas season is over the foliage, nuts, fruits and berries can all be composted. Cinnamon should last until next year if it is stored dry.

Have fun if you try your hand at a SOLID wreath and we hope you have a very Merry Christmas!