A red Christmas wreath is classic holiday decor that looks festive on your door, mantle, or walls. This tutorial shows how to make a homemade red holiday wreath with an evergreen wreath base and a handful of simple supplies.

Red holiday wreath

Wreaths are one of my favorite crafts to make. I used to work in a flower shop in the heart of London, and as soon as Halloween was over, we went into holiday wreath production.

To this day, I love creating wreaths and coming up with new designs. This year, I opted for a traditional holiday color scheme and made a red Christmas wreath.

The red embellishments look incredibly festive, set against the rich greens of the base. And different shades of red and a variety of textures ensure the wreath looks spectacular and professional.

This DIY holiday wreath took less than an hour, and I picked up all supplies from a local craft store. The beauty of crafting your own is that you can pick whatever decorations and ornaments you like.

For more festive decorating ideas, check out my Christmas tree centerpiece tutorial and step-by-step guides for this DIY red berry wreath and champagne holiday wreath.

Materials & supplies

Are you excited to make your own red Christmas wreath? I just know you’ll love it! Let’s walk through the materials and equipment so you can get started! Check the how-to card at the end of the page for quantities.

Wreath base: For this DIY, I chose a real 16-inch / 40 cm evergreen wreath. You can find those at supermarkets, garden centers, and your local florist. Of course, you can also opt for a faux wreath if you prefer a long-lasting red door wreath.
Velvet baubles: Two velvety red baubles anchor the wreath and break up the symmetry.
Silk flowers: I adorned the wreath with ruby silk lilies and burgundy fern leaves. Adding faux florals may seem like an odd choice for a homemade Christmas wreath, but I think they introduce much-needed texture and visual interest.
Red holiday ornaments: Shimmer and sparkle are meant for the holiday season, and pink decorations do just that. You want small ornaments in different shades of red and various shapes and finishes (e.g., matt, polished, glitter.) And can you spy the little Santa ornament? It’s adorable, right?
Tools: You also need scissors, wire cutters, and a hot glue gun with glue sticks to attach your decorations to the wreath. And consider covering your work surface to protect it from glue drippings.

How to make a red Christmas wreath

Time to fire up that hot glue gun! Grab your wreath base and decorations and check out the process for how to make a red holiday wreath:

#1: Attach large ornaments and lilies

Glue on the velvet baubles and silk flowers. I arranged the items in 3 different spots across my wreath base.

#2: Arrange foliage

Apply a dot of hot glue to the end of each stem and add greenery to the wreath in a clockwise direction, tucking them under the evergreen branches.

#3: Put on ornaments

Fill up the space between the flowers and foliage with decorations. Add hot glue to the base of the ornaments and nestle them between the evergreen. You can add as many or as few embellishments as you like.

Tips for a pretty red holiday wreath

Before you break out your hot glue gun and get cracking, read through my tips and tricks. They’ll help you create a stunning holiday wreath.

Use a variety of sizes and textures. Whenever I create monochromatic arrangements, I try to incorporate a wide variety of finishes and shapes. Use matt, polished, frosted, and glittery holiday ornaments.
Rhythm adds interest and life to your wreath. Evergreen wreaths are usually bound clockwise, and you want to follow that direction when you arrange your decorations. Another tip is to group elements together and leave a bit of space between the ornaments.
Don’t forget about the sides. While you definitely want to focus on the front of the wreath, you should also add a few embellishments to the sides of your wreath. That way, it’ll look perfect from every angle.
Be mindful of the hot glue. Hot glue gets extremely hot and can burn your skin. I have had my fair share of blisters, lol. So please be cautious when applying hot glue to your decorations and placing them on the wreath.
Remove hot glue strings. Once all decorations are on, you’ll notice a web of glue strings covering the wreath. To remove them, simply pull them off the wreath. Then blow over the wreath with a heat gun or a hair dryer to dissolve the last pesky bits of hot glue.

Hanging DIY red Christmas wreath

Now that you have a gorgeous red wreath, let’s find a place to showcase it! Here are some tips for displaying your creation:

Windows and doors: You can never go wrong with a beautiful homemade Christmas wreath on your door or before a window.
Walls and mantle: Hanging the homemade wreath atop your mantle or on a wall will spread instant holiday cheer throughout your home.
Tabletop: Another idea is to use the wreath as a table decoration. Put a candle in the middle, and you have a gorgeous holiday centerpiece.

Storing DIY wreaths

Since I made my red Christmas wreath with real spruce, I will disassemble it once the holiday season is over. However, in case you opted for an artificial wreath, try these tips to store your treasure for coming holiday seasons.

Wreath storage box: Use a sturdy box slightly larger than your wreath. The last thing you want is to smash the wreath to make it fit. I also recommend labeling the box with a short description of the contents.
Cloth cover: Another idea is to hang your wreath on a cloth hanger and put the assembly inside a plastic clothes cover. Now, you can hang the wreath in a closet, and the cover will keep it dust- and cobweb-free.

More DIY Holiday Wreaths

Making homemade holiday wreaths is a fun and gratifying craft. They add a personal and festive touch to your home and are easier than you think. Here are a few more DIY Christmas wreaths you might enjoy creating!

Red Christmas Wreath Instructions

Yield: 1 holiday wreath

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Materials

wreath base (I used a 12 in / 30 cm evergreen wreath. An artificial wreath base works, too.)
2 to 3 large velvet bauble ornaments
3 red silk lilies
9 red silk ferns (I cut a large stem into smaller segments)
40 to 45 assorted mini red ornaments in different finishes

Tools

hot glue gun with hot glue sticks
wire cutter
scissors

Instructions

Attach large ornaments and lilies. Glue on the velvet baubles and silk flowers. I arranged the items in 3 different spots across my wreath base.
Arrange foliage. Apply a dot of hot glue to the end of each stem and add greenery to the wreath in a clockwise direction, tucking them under the evergreen branches.
Put on ornaments. Fill up the space between the flowers and foliage with decorations. Add hot glue to the base of the ornaments and nestle them between the evergreen. You can add as many or as few embellishments as you like.
Finishing touches. Once you’re satisfied with the placement of your decorations, remove the glue strings. Pick the strings off or blast the wreath with a hairdryer for a few seconds and watch the glue strings disappear.