Make your own Christmas wreath

Editor Mary Jane Harris says the best way to welcome guests this festive season is with an easy-to-make wreath

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• Florist’s foam ring soaked in water
• Long lasting greenery like ruscus or fresh leaves from a bay tree
• One bunch fynbos (available from florists)
• Secateurs
• Dried orange slices (available from florists and gift shops)
• Cinnamon sticks
• Dried seed heads (I used agapanthus)
• Florist’s wire
• Ribbon

HOW TO MAKE THE WREATH

1. Trim and insert sprigs of greenery in the ring, working in one direction and spacing it so that it looks even.*Tip: Make sure your secateurs are sharp so that when you cut the stems the cuts are clean and the leaves can draw up water from the soaked florist’s foam.
2. Keep turning the wreath and inserting greenery and fynbos until the florist’s foam is covered.
3. Decide which point is going to be at the top and twist a piece of wire around the top of the ring.
4. Using florist’s wire, attach the dried orange slices at equal intervals.
5. Insert the seed heads at equal intervals.
6. Tie a couple of cinnamon sticks together with florist’s wire and insert the bunches evenly, making sure the overall effect is balanced.
7. Tie a length of ribbon to the wire and suspend the wreath from a nail, taking care to avoid hanging it in full sun.
8. To keep it looking fresh, carefully mist the foam every day using a spray bottle, but avoid wetting the cinnamon sticks and orange slices.