the french country christmas door wreath

by Sharon Santoni
A quick idea for a home grown door wreath, that is nicely shabby chic and country.  Certainly not bling bling.  This is the ideal wreath for a garden gate with its slightly unruly silhouette and totally natural feel.  I avoid  mistletoe berries on a front door  as they can get a bit messy
To make the wreath I used a raffia base which  I prefer to polystyrene wreaths; the raffia is stronger and easier to work with.
I wrapped moss around the wreath and fastened it in place with string.  This doesn’t have to be a thick layer, just enough to hide the lighter colour of the wreath.
Next I simply make up small bunches of mistletoe and fastened them on to the wreath, still using the string.  When one bunch is secure, simply lay the next  bunch over the stalks of and build them up, always moving in the same direction.  The very last bunch has to be tucked beneath the heads of the first bunch and you have come full circle.
 This wreath is really easy to make, it took me about 20 minutes to complete, although I admit that I was doing it outside, and we are just above freezing today so I wasn’t exactly looking to extend the experience!

When you think you’re done, it’s best to stand the wreath up and take a critical look at it, checking for any gaps.

Then find a place to hang it, either using a piece of almost invisible string, or if you prefer a ribbon.

This wreath could also look pretty with small silver baubles stuck into the foliage – today my hands were too cold for that, BRRR! , but I may try some tomorrow.

Hope you like this piece of home made country art,
tomorrow I’ll have some ideas for presents.
Thank you for reading me![blank]

43 comments

French Girl in Seattle December 5, 2012 - 5:18 pm

Ahem. Do you ship to Seattle, by any chance, Sharon? 🙂 I am afraid this French girl is not very crafty, and since it only too you 20 minutes to complete this charming wreath… Well… Anyway… I thought I'd ask 🙂 Veronique.

Reply
Sandy at You May Be Wandering December 5, 2012 - 5:19 pm

What a beautiful wreath! But what I really love is your blog header photo with REAL snowflakes! It made me smile this morning!

Reply
sharon santoni at my french country home December 5, 2012 - 5:24 pm

Come on Veronique, this is easy, I promise! And yes it did only take me 20 minutes, but I've made quite a few wreaths in my time, anyway it's not a race.
Just gather your materials and sit down with a coffee, or maybe a glass of wine, and e-n-j-o-y!!
thanks for stopping by
Sharon
xx

Reply
sharon santoni at my french country home December 5, 2012 - 5:25 pm

thanks you Sandy, the snow is sort of kitsch, but I like the fuzzy feeling it gives me inside!
sharon
xx

Reply
Mary Palumbo Collings December 5, 2012 - 5:36 pm

Very pretty and nicely done…
Ciao for now

Reply
I Dream Of December 5, 2012 - 5:53 pm

Sharon, I love your charming wreath! I've never tried to make my own, but you are inspiring. My taste tends toward the simple, too, rather than the bling, so I would be very happy to have something like this hanging prettily on my door! XO

Reply
Jennifer Beaudet December 5, 2012 - 5:58 pm

I love your wreath! It's so organic and simple! I want to make one now. Thanks for sharing it.

Reply
Blondie's Journal December 5, 2012 - 6:20 pm

How pretty, Sharon! I like very simple wreaths, too. I have no idea where I would get mistletoe! Any other suggestions?

XO,
Jane

Reply
Kristie Franklin December 5, 2012 - 6:22 pm

Sharon,

I love your wreath! Wreaths that are simple and not fussy are my favorite. Simple greenery tied around a form with a few pinecones and perhaps a mercury glass ornament makes such an elegant statement! Beautiful!

I wish we were having some colder weather here…it is 70 degrees F here today and will be up to 79 degrees F by the weekend. It just doesn't feel like Christmas! 🙁

Reply
Shabby soul December 5, 2012 - 6:23 pm

Darling Sharon, I love this simple and natural wreath so much!
ps Your winter header is stunning =)
Silvia

Reply
Country Charme December 5, 2012 - 6:37 pm

Oh so pretty! I´ll copy it!
Christel

Reply
Amelia December 5, 2012 - 6:44 pm

Sharon, you make it look easy to create this wreath. Something I've never done before. The green leaves and little white flowers look very natural and beautiful. Another lovely creation from you. Love it.

Amelia xx

Reply
Pilgrim at Kerjacob December 5, 2012 - 6:48 pm

Love the wreath – simple but beautiful.

Diane.

Reply
sharon santoni at my french country home December 5, 2012 - 7:23 pm

thank you Mary

Reply
sharon santoni at my french country home December 5, 2012 - 7:24 pm

HI Jeanne, Go on, give it a try! Until you try you'll never know how easy it is 🙂
xx

Reply
sharon santoni at my french country home December 5, 2012 - 7:25 pm

It's certainly organic Jennifer, moss from the forest and mistletoe from a field!
xx

Reply
sharon santoni at my french country home December 5, 2012 - 7:26 pm

DOes your florist sell mistletoe Jane? I am lucky here that there are trees within easy reach with mistletoe growing on them, otherwise you can use the same principle to make the wreath using other foliage.
xx

Reply
sharon santoni at my french country home December 5, 2012 - 7:27 pm

I've not experienced a 'hot' christmas for a very long time. But today, when I was ankle deep in cold wet mud, feeding the horses, 70° would have sounded good!
xx

Reply
sharon santoni at my french country home December 5, 2012 - 7:27 pm

thank you Silvia, so glad you like the header
xx

Reply
sharon santoni at my french country home December 5, 2012 - 7:28 pm

go for it Christel, that's what it's there for!
xx

Reply
sharon santoni at my french country home December 5, 2012 - 7:28 pm

thank you Amelia, I can only encourage you to have a go, it really isn't difficult
xx

Reply
sharon santoni at my french country home December 5, 2012 - 7:29 pm

thank you Diane
xx

Reply
French Girl in Seattle December 5, 2012 - 7:32 pm

As I said, it was worth a try… 🙂 Thank you for the words of encouragement… V.

Reply
Barbara Lilian December 5, 2012 - 7:56 pm

Love your mistletoe wreath. I feel like I have some telepathic thing going on between us ! the day you changed your header I had just changed mine to a winters theme, & now I have just managed to find time to look at your today's post as I've busy & guess what I've been doing ? yes making wreaths for my front door, Our holiday cottage & one for my daughters house. I couldn't reach the mistletoe but found young pine, & some holly with berries on that the birds must have missed. The birds can come & eat it from my wreath, then I'll have double the pleasure. I'm making Confiture aux oignons,to offer as a little present, delicious with cold meat. Look forward to seeing your presents.

Reply
Lilla Blanka December 5, 2012 - 9:00 pm

Lovely wreath, and beautiful photos..!

Bisous
Mia

Reply
Candylei December 5, 2012 - 9:08 pm

I think the loveliest wreaths are homemade! Yours is perfect!

Reply
PURA VIDA December 5, 2012 - 10:07 pm

so simple and pretty. I just love the color of the gate!

Reply
l o v e l y t h i n g s December 5, 2012 - 10:08 pm

I love your wreath….i've been making a few from things in my yard…but now I learned a thing or two and my next ones will look a little better. I've seen the raffia forms before…just never thought to buy them until now! It's gorgeous on the gate!

Reply
CÉLINE CHOLLET December 5, 2012 - 10:39 pm

Sharon,
Très sympa cette couronne de mousse et de gui, c'est simple et naturel, bravo !
J'aime bien le côté un peu "décoiffé", pas trop rigide.
Il faut aussi que j'en fasse une…
Céline.

Reply
Lorrie Orr December 5, 2012 - 10:57 pm

Your wreath is lovely and airy. I love the "imperfect" quality.

Reply
The enchanted home December 6, 2012 - 3:37 am

Stunning, love a very natural look for wreaths, it is so fitting for your beautiful home Sharon!

Reply
Magnolia Verandah December 6, 2012 - 4:14 am

This just perfect – I now need and lovely country gate to hang it on.

Reply
CWoodyard December 6, 2012 - 6:45 am

I love it like I love your bouquets, natural and sweet and you! Cynthia

Reply
michele December 6, 2012 - 7:03 am

who needs bling bling when you can make such natural materials sing sing?

bravo.

michele

Reply
Anonymous December 6, 2012 - 7:29 am

Simple things always have a true ring about them. Love the mistletoe you used…it looks so utterly feminine. Give me the simple life. Enjoy your posts.
Joyfully,
Sylvia Faye

Reply
hermes bag outlet December 6, 2012 - 8:24 am

The best thing of these wholesale women rolex watches is it tends to last longer and stays in fashion for many years together. Being catier watches manufactured by some of the best designers in the world, most of these handbags are durable and of superior quality. These mens jackets are made of finest leather, exquisite fabrics and quality embellishments. You can also find attractive cheap miu miu handbags varieties when you buy it. Handbags with zippers and locks, magnetic buttons and beautiful embellishments cheap chanel handbags can be found on these designer handbags. Some of the most exclusive varieties of leather are also used for the manufacture of it

Reply
Countrylovers December 6, 2012 - 9:40 am

Liebe Sharon,

ein Kranz nach meinem Geschmack!Wunderschön! Die Natur allein ist Schönheit pur, sie braucht nichts mehr. Weißt du, wie man Misteln vermehrt? Geht ganz einfach!Falls du Interesse hast, werde ich es dir verraten und dann kannst du in ein paar Jahren, deine eigenen Misteln ernten.
Hoffe, du kommst vor lauter Küssen unterm Mistelkranz auch noch zu etwas anderem.

Alles Liebe Babsi

Reply
Eleanor December 6, 2012 - 1:20 pm

Simply beautiful!

Reply
Katey December 6, 2012 - 3:32 pm

This is very beautiful. I love it. Thanks you. I read recently but cannot recall where that they would shoot the mistletoe out of the trees. Hmm I think my hubby would like to do that!!

Reply
MaidofKent December 6, 2012 - 4:00 pm

It is a beautiful wreath.

Reply
Colleen Taylor December 6, 2012 - 4:12 pm

So beautifully simple Sharon. I could see this hanging on my door for a considerable amount of time after the holidays. Beautifully done as you always do!

Reply
peggy braswell December 6, 2012 - 5:30 pm

the only wreaths I like are simple ones at Christmas + this is beautiful + simple. Thanks for sharing. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

Reply
Cathi December 7, 2012 - 4:30 pm

This is simply beautiful!

Reply

Leave a Comment