Making a Christmas crown is not complicated! You can create beautiful, unique, and varied compositions simply by using what you can find in the garden at this time of year and a touch of creativity.

For this crown, I used an old metal hanger that I shaped into a circle. I didn't invent anything; it's a very practical tip that I sometimes use, and I'm happy to share it with you. Follow this step-by-step guide to easily create a beautiful, natural, and original Christmas crown (or Advent crown) with minimal resources.

1. THE NECESSARY MATERIALS

  • a metal hanger,
  • a spool of black wire,
  • a pair of scissors,
  • pruning shears (to trim branches if needed),
  • evergreen branches (thuja, juniper, yew, boxwood, eucalyptus...) that are well-furnished and as long as possible,
  • hips, small pine cones, a few hazel aments...

2. MAKING A BEAUTIFUL NATURAL CROWN: STEP BY STEP

To start your Christmas crown:

  • Form a circle with the hanger.
  • Take the first branch and secure it with a piece of wire to the base of the hanger's hook.

  • Slide a second branch just a few centimetres under the first. Tie them together with a piece of wire and do the same for the following branches.

  • When the branches cover the entire hanger, tie the wire from the spool (still at the base of the hanger's hook) and wrap the spool all the way around. This operation helps to solidify the whole structure and achieve a harmonious shape. You can make several passes; the more, the better for inserting decorations. Once finished, tie a knot, again at the hook, to ensure everything holds well.

There you go, you have your base! It could very well remain as it is; it's simple and very elegant. You could also tie a ribbon at the hook.

  • From now on, it's time for creativity... You will need to tie a piece of wire to the small stem of the pine cones (or simply wrap it around their base) to attach them to the crown. Then, insert bunches of hips and hazel aments.

How to attach pine cones or hips to a Christmas crown

  • When you are satisfied, all that's left is to place it wherever you like. The hook of the hanger can be folded down for more discretion.

3. TIPS

  • For the base of the crown, I like to use branches of Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'. I love its bluish colour; the branches are flexible and last well over time. The only downside is that I don't have long branches, but that's not a big deal. You can use thuja or yew; they work very well too.
  • Also, make sure to have branches of the same thickness; otherwise, your crown won't be uniform.
  • The wire should be dark in colour to remain discreet.
  • Hips can be replaced with symphorine berries or small ornamental apple fruits... if the birds have left any!
  • This crown will be perfect for adorning an outdoor door or simply placed on a garden table.

Find Michaël's article for decorating your Christmas table in the same spirit: "5 tips and tricks for decorating your table for Christmas on a budget".

Discover Olivier's gift ideas for a successful Christmas 2021.

Check out our tutorial to create a stunning Christmas crown with hips.