Charlie Brown's wreath

I am always trying to save money. Sure, I could go out and buy a fancy wreath for my front door, but that could cost a lot of money. Maybe $20 or more. So, I do what I always do. I make my own. All it took was some greens, flower wire, holly and a ribbon.

Step one: Get the greens. When we picked out our Christmas tree, we asked for the branches he trimmed off the bottom to take home. He generously offered us more. Of course, we'll take them! They probably throw the excess away, so go ahead and ask for some.

Step two: Shape the wreath. This was the hard part. I took two sturdy branches that naturally bent in toward each other and just started fastening it together with flower wire, like a twisty. I just kept adding branches where they needed to go until it looked sort of filled out. Well, actually I got tired and that is why it looks so thin. Use pruners to trim the branches that won't cooperate.

Step three: Add accents. I chose holly leaves and berries, because, well, its free. I have a whole huge tree in my front yard. (You are more than welcome to it anytime. Nate would like it if it were gone, so maybe many years of wreaths will whittle it away and save us chopping it down.) I just stuck it in there and hoped it would stay, but you could use flower wire and hot glue to secure anything. You can use pine cones, ribbons, poinsettias or anything else you find in the Christmas aisle. Then you add a bow. I have to tell you there was some frustrations for me making a bow, but I read a craft book and now know how to make the perfect one. See me if you need some help!