With Christmas just around the corner, it is not long now till we will be unwrapping all those presents under the tree! You may have done all of your Christmas shopping, but have you considered the art of wreath making?
A Christmas tradition for many, wreaths are an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs, or various materials that is constructed to form a ring, used to decorate the home across the Christmas period. There are many types of wreath for different occasions, but those associated with the festive period are commonly made from evergreens to symbolise strength and longevity as they survive the cold harsh winters. Wreaths will bring much joy to the holidays as well as wonderful smells to your home.
When it comes to foraging for this natural piece of home decor, winter offers so many possibilities, no matter where you live! Even the simplest, barest branch or handful of pinecones can be transformed into elegant and festive ornaments for you to brighten your home this winter.
The best bit about gathering these materials is that you most likely can do it from your own back garden. If this does not apply to you, head down to your local park, as these hunting grounds for wintry materials (such as woods, hedgerows, verges and field edges) are perfect for collecting a variety of accessories.
Remember…you’re looking for evergreen foliage, twigs, branches, berries, seed heads, colours, textures – anything that catches your eye that would make your wreath stand out. Anything that smells natural will be perfect, adding healthy, fresh elements to the air in the home!
The best bit about it all? All the materials that you forage can be composted, except for any wire/metal elements that you may use as a guide/frame.
Especially nowadays with the growing problems of burning fossil fuels and climate change, it is extremely important to compost your wreath once done, rather than binning the ornament completely. When it comes to composting the wreath, the process will be slower for some parts such as pinecones, moss, willow, spruce, holy and twigs. When using these materials, try not to overload your wreath, as a plethora of different materials will not only look nicer, but also compost easier too!
We recommend breaking up pinecones before adding to the ‘HOTBIN’ and only adding elements such as moss and holy in small quantities, ensuring it is well mixed in with other easy to digest waste. Make sure your twigs are broken down into smaller pieces for easier composting, and make sure to remove any glue, plastic, ribbons or wiring that you may have added to your wreath.
When putting your wreath together, although tempting, try not to decorate with glitter or any other unnatural decorations, the wreaths natural aesthetic will look just as beautiful. If you are to add glitter however, don’t attempt to compost or recycle them, as these should be thrown away. That is why we recommend NOT to decorate your wreath in any paint or spray.
So, there you have it! Why not head down to your local park today or just simply venture into your back garden, and start the journey of creating a natural and healthy wreath for the home this Christmas!