Wreaths illustrate celebration and hospitality, with their vibrant greenery and lovely scents.
Wreaths do take a bit of home maintenance if you want to keep them fresh, beyond just simply hanging it on a door.
The environment, moisture loss, and handling contribute to the life of a wreath; when those factors are in play, it can stop looking just-for-you fresh.
To help support the wreath’s look and scent, consider a few time-honored methodologies, and you will be able to enjoy your décor and show it off for months.
For those wishing to skip all the fuss, many people have figured out that Christmas Wreaths can be used year-round, as they are built for enduring beauty and beckon less fuss.
Preserving your wreath can make a helpful difference for its duration and allow you to build favorite memories.
Understanding its best materials and care will allow it.
This guide will cover best selection, hydration, proper storage and reuse to help extend the beauty of your wreath for weeks and even years! Knowing how to best care for your wreath will allow its beauty and sustainability never to disappoint!
Choosing Your Greenery Wisely
Choose hearty greenery such as blue firs, Douglas firs, Nordmann firs, holly, and spruce pine trees to make a wreath that will last.
These evergreen varieties are backed by their ability to handle cold temperatures and hold moisture better, allowing some of the color and scent to remain longer during the holiday season.
These evergreens give rich color, fragrance, and are not as prone to shedding.
Embellishing the wreath using natural materials such as pinecones, berries, and dried citrus fruits will enhance the appearance of your wreath while also bolstering its structural integrity.
If made correctly, these additions will dry out slower and will maintain their shape and color longer.
When you make your wreath, try to avoid any soft tender foliage, and use branches and botanicals that dry well or that withstand variation in temperature.
Water After Purchase
To help make sure that the foliage on your wreath stays fresh after you purchase it, cover your wreath in cool, clean water for 24 hours.
This will replenish moisture lost during harvesting, shipping, and handling.
If completely submerging the wreath isn’t possible, focus on the cut ends and stems, and give a light mist to the foliage.
This will encourage the plant tissue to rehydrate completely and restore pliability and color.
This first drink will not only really help the wreath hold up better, but it will also contribute to the funkiness of the foliage as it resists browning and dropping early, and enhances overall flexibility, increasing resilience to cracking as it dries out in your environment.
Apply Glycerine Solution
The glycerine solution is a secret for foliage that lasts longer, as glycerine is a humectant that will trap moisture in plant tissue.
It helps to maintain the pliability and deep green color of your greens for several weeks.
In a bowl or bucket, mix one part pure glycerine with two parts warm water, and let cool before submerging the foliage for 24 to 48 hours.
If totally submerging your wreath is not an option, gently apply the glycerine solution on the stems and leaves.
The treatment keeps the foliage soft, still looking fresh, and not as prone to drying and turning brown, thus prolonging the life of wreaths in dry indoor environments.
Misting Regularly
Live wreaths need daily care to maintain their freshness and moisture.
A light misting of a live wreath with a spray bottle can help replenish moisture lost from evaporation and reduce the chances of premature wilting (which is even more common indoors, with central heating system, or proximity to drafty doors).
Pay special attention to misting the front and back of the wreath, but avoid misting so much that the wreath gets soaked.
In general, regular and gentle misting will help you keep the wreath looking fresh for the whole Christmas season.
If you need more detail about caring for wreaths during the holidays or any season, the Lowe’s Fresh Wreath and Garland Care Guide has broad treatment information that you can apply to either garlands or wreaths—fun projects to look professional.
Correct Location For Your Wreath
Hanging a wreath out in direct sunlight or hanging a wreath near heaters or radiators or hanging a wreath above the fireplace hearth will dry out the wreath quickly, leading to faded foliage or faded color.
This is a special consideration for natural materials, so all you want is moisture (and/or air) to remain in the foliage to keep the wreath feeling fresh.
So instead of those drying locations, hang your wreath where it might be cool, and it might be shaded or too shaded like on covered porches or walls on the inside of your home.
If your wreath can be hung in an area that has some air flow circulation and cooler temperatures that helps to prolong the wreath health and beauty for longer.
Avoid areas that have increasing humidity as well as continued fluctuations in temperature for the longest life of every wreath.
This practice can help prolong the life of your wreath and keep it looking beautiful and fragrant all season long.
Use Anti-Desiccant Sprays
Anti-desiccant sprays are a must for fresh wreaths to help prevent fluctuating moisture levels and transpiration.
It creates an invisible, waxy coat on the foliage, so it becomes a barrier against evaporation.
Spray as instructed on the package, ensuring you cover all sides.
This method is helpful, especially if your wreath is hung inside a heated room or brushed with air movement.
One spray prevents moisture loss and provides luster for the wreath to stay full and fresh, even in harsh winter conditions.
Some sprays will also add a gentle sheen to the foliage.
Store Appropriately
Storing your wreath correctly at the end of the season will offer the opportunity for it to maintain its good condition for reuse or upcycling. It is best to keep it protected from dust, insects, crushing, and other potential damaging conditions.
Use special storage bags made for wreaths or a sturdy plastic storage bin for less invasive materials.
Wrap it in tissue paper or throw an old sheet over the top to promote protection.
Remember to not store heavy things on top and to place it in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight for a better anti-molding process.
This will keep the shape and colors of both fresh and faux wreaths for repeat use, a worthy and attractive sustainable option.
Repurposing or Recycling
It’s possible to repurpose a wreath by taking off the non-perishable additions such as dried berries, faux fruits, ribbons, pinecones, and other greenery, that can be used up in other future projects or embellishments.
Composting these materials is a sustainable and earth-friendly method for landfill diversion for used wreath parts and components.
Recycling in such a beautiful manner urges for creative thinking, less waste, and a freshening of holiday décor in your style every season.
If your wreath base is wire or grapevine, you can save this for the discarding and decorate again for next season with fresh greenery, florals, etc.
Following the actions to conserve and preserve the wreath, it can serve as a festive focal point long after the holidays are over and it deserves to be celebrated by using the frame of both tradition and sustainability.
Planning ahead and re-care will provide a festive reminder of the seasonal spirit for weeks, if not years.
It can become a part of your holiday traditions and decorations to be remembered.
