There’s something especially charming about a festive wreath made entirely from natural materials. Not only does it look beautiful on your front door, it also keeps things low-waste and in tune with the season. This year, I created a plastic-free wreath using foraged gum, mānuka, bunny tails, straw, and a little purchased eucalyptus, and it turned out to be a lovely way to welcome Christmas.
Better yet, we turned wreath-making into a fun activity with the Refill Nation team during our Christmas get-together. It was relaxed, creative, and a brilliant reminder that decorations don’t need to cost the earth to look special.
What You’ll Need
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A natural wreath frame (you can buy cane bases or make your own)
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Fresh or dried foliage
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Twine or natural string
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Secateurs or garden scissors
Choosing and Preparing Your Foliage
The best part of a natural wreath is that you can use what grows nearby. Depending on where you live, you might find:
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Gum or eucalyptus
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Mānuka or kānuka
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Pine or macrocarpa
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Dried grasses
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Seed heads, cones, or other textural finds
If you’re short on time, your local florist will usually have beautiful bunches of greenery that still keep things low-waste.
For my wreath, I hung my foraged branches upside down for about a week before assembling them. This helps the foliage dry slightly so it’s easier to work with and holds its shape better.
Making Your Wreath Frame
You’ve got two simple options:
1. Buy a natural cane wreath frame.
These are easy to find and make assembly quick, as you can simply wedge your foliage into the gaps.
2. Make your own.
If you prefer a fully DIY approach, bend thin, flexible branches like mānuka into a circle, then secure them with twine. It doesn’t need to be perfect, as the foliage will hide most of the structure.
Assembling Your Wreath
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Start by placing a few sturdy branches around the frame to form a base.
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Layer in greenery, working around the circle in the same direction.
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Add texture with dried pieces like bunny tails, grasses, or straw.
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Keep stepping back to check the shape and fullness.
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Tie off any loose stems with twine to hold everything in place.
Tips for a Natural Look
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Mix fresh and dried foliage for depth.
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Use a range of leaf sizes for balance.
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Leave some movement rather than packing everything tightly.
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Embrace imperfections – the handmade look is part of the charm.
Displaying Your Wreath
Once finished, simply add a loop of twine and hang it on your front door. Natural wreaths dry beautifully over time and usually last for weeks outdoors.
