This week's fun activity... Holiday Wreath

A natural wreath is a welcome addition to a home and an easy way to keep the beauty of nature close at hand. Pine and evergreen branches smell wonderful and a natural evergreen wreath is a decorative way to bring that fragrance into your home!  For this week’s activity, we will make an evergreen holiday wreath!

Materials: Wreath Form (12 inch metal or grapevine wreath) Floral Wire (any thin, easily bendable wire will work – look for 20 gauge or thinner if buying) Wire Cutters Floral Shears Greenery (A simple wreath can be made with all balsam fir branches, but you can also use multiple types of greenery to give a layered look) Berries, Bells, Other Decorations (optional)

Step 1 - Trim Trim your greenery into smaller, wreath-sized pieces. A good estimate for the amount of greenery needed is about 20 2-foot branches to complete a 12-inch wreath. If you’re using multiple types of greenery, organize and keep the different types separate. If you want a “bushier” look, you’ll need additional branches

Step 2 – Bunch Create a small bunch of greenery from about 3 to 4 pieces. Start with a large piece and layer on 2 or 3 smaller pieces on top. If using multiple types of greenery, use a large piece of balsam and place the smaller, more delicately textured pieces on top.

Step 3 - Secure Wrap the floral wire around the wreath form to provide a starting place and hold everything together. Then, place your first small bunch of greenery on the wreath. Wrap the floral wire around the stems to secure the evergreens to the wreath.

Step 4 – Bunch and Repeat Make a new bunch of evergreens, layering each bunch over the stem ends of the previous one. Each time, wrap the floral wire around the stems to secure it. The bushy ends of the bunches will cover the stem ends and the floral wire so that always is hidden!

Step 5 – Back to the Beginning Once you work your way around the wreath form and reach the first bunch, it’s time to secure the last bunch of evergreens. To do this, gently lift your first bunch and slip in the stem ends of the last bunch underneath. Wrap the last bunch with floral wire to secure it.

Step 6 – Loop Once the final bunch of evergreens has been secured, make a loop with the floral wire so you can hang the wreath. Cut the wire and attach the loose end to wreath form.

Step 7 – Embellish (optional) If you have extra decorations, like winter berries or jingle bells for example, attach them with floral wire to the wreath.  Alternatively, gluing toothpicks to your decorations allows you to easily poke into and place decorations wherever you wish!

Step 8 – Hang and Display! Your wreath is finished! Hang and display it and enjoy the winter fragrance and beauty!

Shopping online this holiday season? Be sure to click on our Amazon Smile link first! A percentage of your dollars spent will be donated in support of our many community initiatives.

FBBG Memberships: Great All Year Round! All FBBG members receive: Unlimited access to the Gardens A 10% discount in Nell's Garden Cafe' Discounts on FBBG classes, special events and in our Gift Shop on select stock items. Free admission to over 300 AHS gardens nationwide... Including Chicago Botanic, Arizona's Desert Botanical Garden, Illinois' Morton Arboretum and the Florida Botanical Gardens! FBBG's In Season Newsletter Membership Appreciation Event...and more! MEMBER LEVELS: Individual $35 One Membership Admission Card & (1) One-time Guest Pass Individual +1 $50 Two Membership Admission Cards & (2) One-time Guest Passes Family $65 Two Membership Admission Cards - Good for two adults and three children under 17 & (3) One-time Guest Passes Donor level memberships are also available starting at $100. For more information, please call the FBBG office at 414-525-5653. Become a Member Now!

BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS UPDATE   The Gardens are now closed for the season.   The Education and Visitor Center is open. Hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MASKS ARE REQUIRED! Gift Shop Opening to be announced.   Be sure to watch for announcements on fun learning activities for all ages, and for updates on our classes and programs, hosted by FBBG - all year - indoors and out!

BOERNER/WHITNALL PARK WINTER WONDERS  DRIVE THRU HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW Nightly through January 3rd.  Enjoy a variety of light displays from the comfort of your car as you drive alongside magnificent forest scenes and whimsical holiday fun. FOR DETAILS PLEASE VISIT:  Winter Wonders website

Please continue to watch for our weekly activities...  fun learning for ALL ages!