Wreath making: festive fun with Mum

At the end of the year, without fail, Mum and I like to do something that officially kicks off the festive season. We’re not talking about frantic shopping or wrestling tangled fairy lights (although that does happen). No, we like to start the festivities with something cosy, creative, and just a little bit magical.

hannahmade wreath at Lavendars floristry workshop at Shaw House

We decided to go all in on a festive tradition we’ve been talking about for ages: wreath making. We booked ourselves into a workshop with the lovely team from Lavendars at the beautiful Shaw House. It sounded idyllic – moss bases, real foliage, and the promise of mince pies. Honestly, they had me at mince pies.

The room was already buzzing when we arrived – tables covered in sprigs of fir, scented pine cones, extravagant ribbons, sparkling baubles and what felt like an entire forest of greenery. The smell alone was enough to put you in the Christmas spirit. Mum and I took our seats, rolled up our sleeves, and got stuck in.

Now, I’ll be honest: I thought wreath making was going to be a gentle, dainty sort of activity. You know, a bit of snipping here, a bit of tying there. Turns out, wrestling moss into a neat circle with cold hands while wrapping wire around it is a bit like trying to knit with an octopus – it takes more skill (and arm strength!) than you might think. But it’s strangely satisfying.

Once our mossy bases were looking respectable (read: not falling apart), we moved on to the foliage. This was my favourite part – choosing between glossy holly leaves, fragrant eucalyptus, and feathery fir and attaching them to the base until the whole thing looked like it could feature on the cover of a Christmas magazine. Me, ever the perfectionist, accomplished a wreath looking symmetrical and elegant. Mum's meanwhile, had a slightly more… wild and free vibe.

The real magic, though, wasn’t just in the greenery. It was in the chatter around the table – the friendly swapping of tips, the oohs and ahhs as someone nailed the perfect ribbon bow, the shared laughter when a rogue branch decided to spring out and hit you in the face. And, of course, it was in the time spent with Mum, doing something we enjoyed – together.

By the end of the session, we each had a wreath we were ridiculously proud of – two completely different creations, but equally beautiful. Carrying them out into the crisp winter air, I couldn’t help but feel a little smug. Not only did we have gorgeous wreaths to hang on our front doors to welcome guests, but we’d also ticked off our Christmas tradition in the loveliest way possible.

So, if you’re ever tempted to try wreath making – do it – book in with Kim at Lavendars. It’s part craft, part therapy, and part festive cheer in leafy form. And who knows? It might just become your own little tradition too.

And if you'e interested in indoor wreaths take a look at my creations for you to try or buy.