Best Christmas Wreaths

Buying guide for Best Christmas wreaths

When decorating for the holidays, a Christmas wreath is essential. Depending on your beliefs and why you celebrate the season, a wreath can be a festive, secular decoration that beautifies your home, or it can be a powerful representation of your faith. This broad scope of meaning is part of the reason why the Christmas wreath is a staple in so many homes each year.

However, choosing a wreath isn't as easy as clicking on an appealing option and adding it to your cart. There are a few important considerations. Do you want a fresh or artificial wreath? Will you hang the wreath indoors or outdoors? Do you want a lighted wreath? Is it flame resistant? Answering these questions and a few more can help you zero in on the best wreath for the holiday season in your home.

You don't have to hang your Christmas wreath as is. To make it a perfect fit for your home, you can add ribbons, garlands, ornaments, and lights to it.

How to buy the best Christmas wreath

Symbolism

Before looking for the perfect Christmas wreath, think about what it means to you. If you're religious, one meaning of the never-ending circle of branches is eternal life. Choosing the right wreath means looking for a design that reflects this symbolism, something that wouldn’t look out of place over a nativity scene. However, if your holidays are all about Santa and reindeer and elves, the wreath that’s right for you might be brightly colored and even whimsical to reflect the joy of the season.

Choosing the right size

A Christmas wreath should suit the size of the space where it’s hung. Too big and it will overwhelm the space and look awkward. Too small and it will get lost in the surroundings and not be the focal point you crave. As a rule of thumb, look for a wreath that’s anywhere from 50% to 75% of the width of the wall or door where you want to hang it. On a door, for instance, that usually means there will be 3 to 6 inches of open space around the wreath.

One easy way to tie a decorative theme together is to match your Christmas wreath to your Christmas garland.

What features should I look for in a Christmas wreath?

Artificial vs. fresh

Whether you decide to go with a fresh or artificial Christmas wreath is up to you. Both are legitimate options, and both have their pros and cons. An artificial wreath will last for years and probably come already decorated. However, an artificial wreath won’t have that fresh pine smell, and it's not as kind to the environment when it comes time to dispose of it.

Location

While many people hang their Christmas wreaths on their front doors to welcome guests, that isn't the only place you can put one. You can hang it in a window, on a closet door, over the mantel (well away from flames), in a bedroom, on a bookshelf, and in many other places around your home. Wherever you choose to hang it, find a wreath that fits the décor of the room and is the right size so it doesn’t look out of place.

Indoor or outdoor

Not all Christmas wreaths are suitable for outdoor use. The sun can fade artificial wreaths that don't have UV protection, and most wreaths that have lights, faux flowers, and other decorations won’t hold up well in the elements. If you're going to hang your wreath outside, check to make sure it’s suitable for outdoor use.

Decoration

A Christmas wreath that is already decorated can be used immediately when you take it out of the box. You won't need to hang decorations on it or string Christmas lights through it. While many people like decorated options, some prefer customizing their wreath with their own decorations.

Flame resistance

Whatever type of Christmas wreath you purchase, make sure it's flame resistant. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, from 2015 to 2019, “US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 790 home structure fires per year that began with decorations.” Keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket handy if you’re decorating with candles or lighting the fireplace.

Christmas wreath accessories

Christmas picks

Christmas picks are small decorative items that you stick into your wreath. These accessories typically feature berries, holly, or small pine cones, or they can be as simple as brightly colored branches or stems.

Wired ribbon

If you want to decorate a Christmas wreath with ribbon, it helps to use wired ribbon so the bow will hold its shape throughout the season. Wired ribbon is available in many colors, patterns, and widths.

Bows

If you don’t want to shape a bow with wired ribbon, the quickest way to add some festive flair to your Christmas wreath is to hang a premade decorative bow on it. These bows come in a wide variety of styles and colors. Be careful to pick one that’s the right size for the wreath so it doesn’t overpower it.

Wreath storage bag

If you have an artificial wreath, you'll need a way to store it after the holidays are over. A wreath storage bag helps you protect the wreath all year so it will look great for many Christmases to come.

How much does a Christmas wreath cost?

Inexpensive

If budget is your primary concern, you can find small, unlit artificial Christmas wreaths for less than $25. These models won’t necessarily be the most ornate or durable, but they’ll be affordable.

Mid-range

These Christmas wreaths start at around $25 and go up to about $80. In this price range, you can find nearly anything you might need. These wreaths can be fresh or artificial, and they will likely come already decorated.

Expensive

If you're looking for an extra-large or extremely ornate Christmas wreath, you might have to spend $100 or more. It's possible to spend $250 or more on a high-end wreath, and if you have very expensive tastes, there are designer wreaths available that include real gems and cost over $5,000.

After the holidays are over, you can place a fresh Christmas wreath in your garden waste bin. Just remember to remove all the decorations first.

Tips

• Fluff up and shape an artificial Christmas wreath. Whether it's just arrived in a box or it’s been packed away in storage, an artificial wreath will need fluffing up before you hang it. Start with the outside bottom layer and work your way up and in, repositioning the branches as you go. An artificial wreath looks best when all the branches face the same direction and have a slight curve to them, the better to define the wreath’s circular shape.
• Add a bow to your Christmas wreath. A bow is the finishing touch that makes your wreath perfect. The bow can be placed at the top or bottom of the wreath.
• Mist a fresh wreath. If the weather is warm, you'll need to mist a fresh wreath every other day. Misting the boughs rather than the needles will help the wreath last longer.
• Hang your Christmas wreath out of the elements. If you purchased a wreath that’s designed to be hung outdoors, shield it from the elements if you can. Keeping it out of direct sunlight will prevent the colors from fading.
• Store a fresh wreath outdoors until you hang it. The cold air will help the wreath look its best for a longer period of time. However, if it's warm outside, it's better to keep the wreath indoors.

You don’t have to hang a wreath on a wall or door. You can place it on a table to serve as a festive centerpiece.

FAQ

Q. How early can I put up my Christmas wreath?

A. The Christmas season officially starts on the first Sunday of Advent, four Sundays before Christmas Day. Since the holiday can fall on any day of the week, that means the first official day of the Christmas season can be anywhere from November 27 to December 3. Since many people have a long weekend over the Thanksgiving holiday, that’s an ideal time to start putting up decorations.

Q. How long can I leave my Christmas wreath up?

A. The season officially ends on January 6, which is the Feast of the Epiphany. Many people leave their decorations up until that date.

Q. How long does a Christmas wreath last?

A. An artificial wreath, when cared for properly, can last many years. A fresh wreath obviously won’t last that long. If you're hanging a fresh wreath inside, you might get as many as three weeks out of it before it starts to dry out and deteriorate. If you place your fresh wreath outside and the weather is cold, it might last the full six weeks of the Christmas season.