3 DIY festive wreaths

We asked popular Jo’burg flower designer Louise Eichner to show us how to make gorgeous seasonal wreaths to adorn front doors during the holidays

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A wreath made with fruit

What you’ll need:

• An artificial pine wreath (available from florists’ shops and suppliers)
• Fresh red apples
• Florist wire
• Bundles of twigs tied with twine (you can make your own or buy these from florists’ suppliers)
• Red cherry Christmas decorations
• Assorted artificial berries (available from florists’ shops and suppliers)
• Artificial holly twigs
• Pine cones
• A glue gun and glue sticks
• Fresh ivy
• Oil to give the apples shine
• 2m length of fabric (about 30cm wide) to make the bow

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How to do it:

1. Push a thick piece of florists’ wire halfway into an apple. Push in another piece near it, so the pieces overlap, forming a narrow X. Attach the apple to the pine wreath by twisting the ends of the wire around it. Repeat with the rest of the apples, distributing them evenly around the base. Leave a space at the bottom for the bow.
   2. Fill the space between them with the artificial berries, twig bundles, pine cones and holly twigs, using the glue gun to attach them to the wreath.
   3. Keep turning the wreath in the same direction so that the decorations are evenly distributed and the wreath looks full, again leaving space for the bow.
   4. Fill in the gaps and soften the edges with the fresh strands of ivy. Gloss up the apples with some oil.
   5. To make the bow, tie the fabric around the wreath at the bottom, and just as you would tie a shoelace, make a bow with the fabric.

A fynbos and flowers wreath

What you’ll need:

• A floral foam wreath base soaked in water
• Fresh Cape fynbos (available from most flower sellers)
• Fresh green foliage like viburnum, bay foliage or ruscus
• Lotus pods (available from flower wholesalers)
• Rose hips or dried pods (available from flower wholesalers)
• White flowers like hydrangeas or roses (or use white artificial flowers)
• Bundles of twigs tied with twine
• Spanish moss

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How to do it:

1. Start by inserting the Cape fynbos and the fresh green foliage. Work in a clockwise direction and cover most of the base.
   2. Insert the lotus pods, rose hips or pods and the flowers making sure that the stems are firmly pushed into the floral foam, and the overall effect is balanced.
   3. Add the bundles of twigs and fill any gaps in the wreath with more Cape fynbos.
   4. Instead of a ribbon or bow, hang a piece of moss at the bottom of the wreath and tuck a few pieces in between the flowers and foliage to create a soft, misty effect.

A greenery wreath

What you’ll need:

• A wire wreath base (available from florists’ shops and suppliers)
• A black bin bag
• Viburnum or ruscus twigs cut to equal lengths
• Twine

How to do it:

1. Wrap the base with strips cut from the black bin bag.
   2. Working in a clockwise direction, place bunches of twigs on the base and attach with the twine.
   3. Repeat until the wreath is full and the base is not visible.