The Fireplace Wreath
A Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Bold, Fresh Holiday Statement
Every December, once the tree is up and the house feels settled, we make a giant fresh wreath for the fireplace. It’s become one of those traditions that quietly anchors the whole season—bold enough to carry the two-story space, simple enough that it doesn’t compete with anything else in the room.
The scale works for us because our Christmas tree is 18 feet tall, but the approach translates to any size. Whether you’re filling a front door or a smaller wall, a fresh wreath brings that grounding, classic presence that instantly shifts how a space feels—without needing much else around it.
This one is built the way I approach most holiday projects: strong base, layered texture, one intentional focal moment at the top. The best part is it doesn’t need to be fussy. When you work with real greens—spruce, cedar, eucalyptus, and a few berries—everything already looks full and elevated. You’re just shaping it into something that feels abundant and finished.
Step-by-step: How to Make a Giant Fresh Wreath
What you’ll need
A large wreath frame (giant metal form)
Evergreen branches (spruce/pine/fir for the base)
Secondary greens for texture (cedar + eucalyptus work beautifully)
Berry stems (pink/red clusters, optional but so good)
Floral wire (or paddle wire) to secure everything
Pruners + scissors
Ribbon/strap for hanging
Optional: string lights, large pinecones, ornaments (like gold balls)
Step 1: Prep and sort your greens
Lay everything out on the floor so you can see what you have.
Trim off any long bare ends so you’re working with clean stems.
Sort into piles: base evergreens, accent greens (cedar/eucalyptus), and berries/focal pieces.
Step 2: Make the base with evergreen bundles
Start building the wreath by creating small bundles of evergreen (a few stems per bundle).
Place the first bundle onto the frame and wire it down tightly.
Keep every bundle facing the same direction, and overlap the next bundle over the wired stems so the mechanics stay hidden.
Work your way around until the frame is fully covered and looks full.
Step 3: Add volume and movement with mixed texture
Once the base is in place, tuck in cedar and eucalyptus to soften the look and add dimension.
Aim for gentle “drape” and variation—some pieces can extend farther than others.
Wire in anything heavy; lighter stems can be tucked deeper into the base.
Step 4: Build a focal moment at the top
At the top center, create a clustered statement using:
large pinecones (grouped together)
eucalyptus behind/around them for contrast
Secure the pinecones firmly (they’re heavier), then tuck additional greens around the cluster so it feels integrated—not “stuck on.”
Step 5: Layer in berries for color
Add berry stems near the top cluster (and lightly elsewhere if you want).
Keep it intentional: a few placements that read as styled, not scattered.
Step 6: Add lights and any ornaments
Weave warm string lights through the greenery, tucking the wire deep so only the glow shows.
If you’re adding ornaments (like gold balls), concentrate them near the top cluster so they feel cohesive.
Step 7: Hang and fluff
Hang using a sturdy ribbon/strap.
Step back and adjust: pull a few evergreen tips forward, tuck anything messy back, and balance the shape until it looks even and lush
Cari Ann Carter is the best-selling author of Are Your Roots Right? Rightsize Your Space. Reclaim Your Life. and a multi-faceted entrepreneur with a passion for intentional living, design, and home.
She leads the Cari Ann Carter Group, bringing over 28 years of experience in real estate, design, build, and renovation, and is the creative voice behind DIY Designer Homestead.
Through Fresh Roots Living, she shares practical ideas for cooking, gardening, entertaining, and creating a home that supports your next chapter.