There are some things that, come Christmastime, are non-negotiable.
A tree of any size, for one. A nibble of a mince pie, even if you’re not sure if you really like them. Excusing almost any questionable behaviour with the instant guilt-absolver: ‘Tis the season! (just us?). And getting your home dressed up to the nines, inside as well as out.
Because it is a truth universally acknowledged that few things trigger excited-for-Christmas feels like walking down a street and passing door after door festooned with beautiful wreaths.
Whether you choose real or faux, a wreath is an easy way to spread festive cheer from your front door. It sets the tone for visitors and will add a jolly spring to the step of passersby and, hopefully, your postie, laden with festive mail.
What is the meaning behind a Christmas wreath?
Traditionally designed to symbolise eternal life through the circular arrangement of evergreen foliage, you can find Christmas wreaths made in all sorts of materials, from fresh with fragrant blooms, to all-bauble looks and hyper-realistic options, entwined with fairy lights for extra warming sparkle.
How to store Christmas wreaths
If you’re going for the faux option, it’s worth storing your wreath properly so you can continue to enjoy it for decades to come. Wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a hat box works just fine, but you can also get specialised storage bags from Very from £14.99 for a small size.
Can you hang wreaths indoors?
Of course! This is a tradition that’s ripe for making your own. Instead of suspending them from your front door, why not hang them above the mantlepiece, over beds, and on internal doors: anywhere that could do with a touch of Christmas cheer?
Are wreaths just for Christmas?
There’s been a recent shift towards seasonal wreaths outside the month of December. Easter wreaths have become a thing in the last couple of years, as have Halloween designs. If you were so persuaded, you could hang a wreath on your door the whole year round.
If you’re in the market for a wreath, the good news is that there is more choice this year than ever. Here’s our rundown of the best wreaths:
- Artificial wreaths: Made to look like the real thing but with faux leaves, this has all the look and glamour of a genuine wreath but without the maintenance and expense. Some even have fairy lights strewn in for extra magic.
- Real wreaths: Typically made with fir branches and speckled with pine cones, twigs, ribbons and holly, Christmas wreaths are the seasonal bread and butter for florists. These are best placed on your front door as the central heating in your home means they will only last two weeks tops, as opposed to four or even five if hung outside and spritzed with water occasionally.
- Bauble wreaths: If you’ve got a thing for baubles, this is the one for you. Usually set on a plastic hoop, it consists of arrangements of colour-coordinated orbs with the odd bell thrown in for festive jingles. It’s a great option for those who don’t want to spring for the cost of a real wreath every year.
- Contemporary wreaths: Throw out the wreath rulebook and embrace the weird, wacky and abstract. Whether you prefer a DIY for a handmade feel, a pared-back Scandi-cool version made solely with fake twigs or a personalised one inscribed with your family name, there’s a wreath out there with your name on it.
We’ve drawn up an edit of the best artificial Christmas wreaths to shop now or fresh versions to secure on pre-order when they’re ready
Find the best Christmas wreaths for your home below - shop now
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Best fresh Christmas wreaths
We’re still a few weeks away from Christmas, but our favourite florists have started to showcase their festive wreath offerings this year. Keep scrolling to see our top picks from each one.
Arena Flowers Everbright Wreath
Jolly and bright is the name of the wreath game over at Arena, where this citrus-strewn wreath is waiting to bring festive cheer to your front door. The eco-friendly florist will do all the work packaging your design in recyclable or compostable packaging with some stems arriving in bud to keep your wreath as fresh-looking as possible. The 40cm wide wreath comes without a hook but you can add one to your purchase if needed.
Buy now £68.00, Arena Flowers
By Bloom. Winter Berry Wreath
A cheery splash of red berries brightens up the all-green foliage on Bloom's wreath, offering a simple yet effective palette to brighten up your front door. The handmade piece comes in modest, sumptuous and abundant sizes in 100 per cent plastic-free packaging.
Buy now £110.00, By Bloom.
Bloom & Wild The Luxury Liberty DIY Wreath
Fancy your hand at tying your own wreath? Bloom & Wild makes it easy with its DIY option, devised in conjunction with Liberty. The flowers chosen are based on the London department store's 1969 print and includes everything from fragrant eucalyptus amongst the spruce, plus lilac static, orange helichrysum and pink pepper berries.
Buy now £60.00, Bloom & Wild
Appleyard London Alluring Amber Wreath
Offering a lighter take on traditional red decorations, this beautifully full wreath entwines dried oranges into the mix, enamating a heavenly waft everytime you open the door. Pine cones are woven into the brances too as well as sprigs of dreamy dried lavender.
Buy now £84.99, Appleyard London
Your London Florist Wild Rosehip wreath
A little bit wild and every inch beautiful, this expertly arranged wreath has a homemade look that you can totally pass off as your own - we won't tell. It's a fragrant thing too with thyme and oranges mingling with conifer branches, rosehip berries and luscious grass that looks just-plucked from a meadow. Measures 40cm across.
Buy now £65.00, Selfridges
Bloom Christmas DIY Wreath Kits
For those who fancy a go at making their own Christmas wreath, Bloom is offering an at-home kit packed with everything you need to bring yuletide joy to your door. Choose from five designs, starting at £66, and nail the pro florist look by checking out the 'how to' video tutorial from celebrity florist Larry Walshe. Free delivery for purchases of £100 or more.
Buy now £66.00, Bloom
M&S Large Festive Red Wreath
Time to give your front foor the festive treatment? Head to M&S where this pinecone and berry-studded wreath is ready to make an excellent first impression. There are 16 stems arranged amongst evergreen branches on a design that spans 12 inches across. For longevity, keep away from direct sunlight and heat and lightly spritz with water once or twice a day.
Buy now £75.00, M&S
Lavender Green Flowers The Jackfrost Wreath
From one of London's finest florists comes this stylish and fragrant wreath. Part of Lavender Green Flowers' Christmas 2023 collection, the design strays from the traditional red, white and green, embracing heather stems, dried limes and subdued purple hues instead. Finished with a perfectly tied bow, it comes in 16-inch, 18-inch, 20-inch, 22-inch, and 24-inch sizes to best suit your door size.
From £154.
Buy now £154.00, Lavender Green Flowers
Best artificial Christmas wreaths
Dunelm 51cm Mustard & Green Autumnal Wreath
For a wreath you can hang now and keep until the New Year, Dunelm's autumnal version is one to bag. The warm mustard hues chime with the season and come December, a matching ribbon will give it the festive update it needs.
Buy now £25.00, Dunelm
Three Posts Luxury Pre-Lit 76.2cm Lighted Pine & Berry Artificial Wreath
There’s no need to sweep up fallen needles every day with this faux wreath from Three Posts, which looks like the real thing. The design is textbook Christmas with red berries and pine cones nestled within the foliage. There are even 50 fairy lights embedded within the look for added sparkle.
Buy now £56.99, Wayfair
SO’HOME 50cm Artificial Eucalyptus Wreath
Embrace the clean, classic look with this simple wreath made of two shapes of eucalyptus leaves. It’s not a completely waterproof design, so best to set it up in a sheltered spot or reserve it for an interior wall.
Buy now £35.00, La Redoute
Dunelm 50cm Poinsettia Wreath
The classic Christmas flower (which hails from Mexico, incidentally) looks lovely potted but is arguably even more so when styled into a wreath arrangement. It’s the star of the show in Dunelm’s wreath, standing out beautifully against the faux foliage, pinecones and red berries. A classic that will stand you in good stead for many Christmases to come.
Buy now £22.00, Dunelm
John Lewis Polar Planet Star Stick Wreath
Trade a circular wreath for a star-shaped one and see your house stand out from the rest of the street this Christmas. This sweet look has all the usual wreath markers; think pine sprigs, frosted baubles, blush berries and more.
Buy now £15.00, John Lewis
Harilla Decor Wreath
Dreaming of a winter wonderland? Whether it snows or not, this hyper-realistic wreath will hit the mark. It offers a frosted appearance thanks to the inclusion of White Gypsophila stems that act like snowdrops. A pretty look all on its own or with extra touches.
Buy now £19.79, Amazon
CiCiwind 19’’ Artificial Eucalyptus Wreath
If you like the idea of having a wreath hanging year-round, go for a basic design that you can dress up as you wish. This artificial design mixes eucalyptus leaves of two sizes with white berries nestled within. Build on this clean colour palette for Christmas by adding gold touches to the mix, and strip back in the New Year, adding fresh flowers to the look to welcome spring.
Buy now £17.99, Amazon
Best alternative Christmas wreaths
John Lewis Rainbow Time Capsule Rainbow Bauble Wreath
Planning a rainbow Christmas? Give your guests a taste of the theme that lays behind your front door with this bright and beautiful wreath, made from a mix of colourful baubles.
Buy now £25.00, John Lewis
