Foraging for Christmas

With just a few days left in the countdown to Christmas, we're turning to the natural world as we put the finishing touches on our holiday décor. To fill the home with natural adornments, we set off on a foraging excursion. Though the garden and forest are subdued in the early days of winter, there's still an abundance of branches, stems, and berries to be found. We used our foraged finds to create a cheerful wreath for the Christmas doorstep. Read on to learn how to get the look.

Start by foraging for stems in three specific color categories:
Greens: Cut a few stems from evergreen shrubs and trees, such as boxwood, fir, cedar, and holly, to form a fresh foundation for holiday displays.
Browns: Consider dried grasses, bare vines, seedheads, pinecones, pods, and herb stalks for neutral shades with eye-catching texture. 
Brights: Red winterberry, orange bittersweet, and purple beautyberry offer splashes of saturated color to accent foraged designs. 

Once your stems are collected, choose a simple vine or twig wreath base. Arrange a mixture of fresh greens and dried brown elements in mirrored sprays, forming a botanical "brooch." Fasten this to the lower part of the wreath base with floral wire, placing it slightly off center for an asymmetrical appearance. Tuck berry sprigs and small dried elements like pinecones throughout the wreath to incorporate bright, textural details.