So You Want to Make a Gorgeous Fresh Fruit Wreath

I just love fresh fruit wreaths. Every time I go to Williamsburg, Virginia I am in awe at the beautiful fresh fruit wreaths that they have on display throughout the historic district. I purchased the book Christmas Decorations from Williamsburg and was totally inspired. I checked out prices online at sites such as EBay and Etsy and they wanted $150.00 for one wreath. Total highway robbery!

Until one day I came upon a video on YouTube explaining how to create an easy fresh fruit wreath. I tried it and it turned out beautiful. I used a 22-inch faux wreath on double-wire frame but I think next time I will create one on a live wreath. And, the best part, it only cost me about $20.00 to make. Here's a pic of my wreath. It is simple but I adore it!

So, what do you need to create such a beautiful wreath? Not much.

Materials include:

• 1 wreath (faux or live)
• Fruit such as apples (red or green), oranges, pomegranates, pineapples, lemons, etc.
• Holiday picks for additional accents
• Heavy wire (18 to 24 gauge wire cut into 12 inch lengths)
• Wire cutters
• Needle-nose pliers to twist wire
• Protective gloves, if necessary.

I have included in this posting various pictures I have taken from Pinterest to further inspire and excite you in your quest for the perfect Fresh Fruit Wrath. Let your imagination run wild – the possibilities are endless!

So are you ready to get started? Here are the easy peasy instructions:

1. If using a faux wreath, fluff out the wreath so it is not so flat.
2. Lay the wreath on a table and place the fruit where you think it looks best - before wiring and securing the fruit to the wreath.
3. Using the 24-gauge wire, cut lengths about 12 inches long.
4. Arrange each piece of fruit among the greenery.
5. Begin to wire the fruit to the wreath. To wire smaller fruit such as an apple, lemon or orange, insert the 18-gauge wire through the center of the fruit going completely through to the other side. Bend the wires into a U shape and through the wire backing on the wreath form. Twist the wire to the wreath form backing using the pliers so that the fruit doesn't move.
6. Cut off any excess wire, and insert wire ends into the greenery so it doesn't scratch the surface of the door or table where you display the wreath. Remember, you can also lay a wreath flat on a table with a large decorative candle or lantern in the center. I have even seen wreaths hung from the ceiling above a table like a chandelier!
7. Add a decorative ribbon, if desired, to your wreath to finish the look.

To make your wreath a little bit showier, you can double up the green wreath with a larger twig wreath to lay behind or in front of the green wreath. You can get a twig wreath from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. Don’t forget to print out any online coupons before you purchase your wreaths which will enable you to bring the cost down.

The wire can be purchased at Home Depot or Loews. The size of the wire depends on the type of fruit you are using. The heavier the fruit, such as a pineapple, the larger the wire gauge. But remember, larger gauges will require more physical strength to pull it to the back of the wreath and secure it to the wreath frame.

 A finished wreath can last the entire holiday season if the temperatures are cool enough. If you live in Southern climes where it is hot, store the wreath in a cooler up to five days, then place on your door for a day or two, depending on the temperature.

Hope you enjoyed my little wreath how-to. If you do get inspired and decide to make a wreath, send me some pics to share. Who know - you might inspire someone else!

- Marcie

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