How To Make A Christmas Wreath

I think wreath making at Christmas time can be a great family activity and tradition. Tramping around outside is good exercise and shaping the wreath, choosing and making the bow satisfies an urge to be creative. Having said that, I always make the wreaths alone as no one else in the family has ever been particularly interested in participating. So it has become a solitary ritual that gives me great satisfaction when I look out and see the fir wreaths around the property throughout the winter. (I don't take them down after Christmas but make them part of the winter landscape.)
Yesterday, I wound my way through the wooded areas of our property to collect balsam fir tips to make this year's Christmas wreaths. I always cut the tips carefully to preserve the shape of each tree and never take more than I am actually going to use.

Today, as the first snow storm of the season developed outside, I began making wreaths on an old work table in the basement, using wire rings recycled from last year.

I bundled fir tips (about seven per bundle) and fastened each bundle onto the ring with a couple of twists of florist's wire.

The finished wreath is hung on a basement post to check for symmetry.

I make new bows or recycle them from the previous year - a fairly good quality wired ribbon bow can often endure a couple of Nova Scotia winters! The choice of color and style bow depends on the location of the wreath - on the split rail fence "up back", on the lattice work of the deck, on the front door, or on family gravestones!

I chose deep cranberry red for this wreath as it what I want to see when I look out the kitchen window at the wreath on the split rail fence.