It's Bill, 12/14/25: Wreath Making

Wreath Talk on Deb’s Porch

Early last month, November, I was on Deb’s porch, having some wine with our friends. Deb, always busy doing something, asked, “What are you doing about wreaths?”

“I get them from Todd.”

“What, Todd? What does he charge?”

“$10.”

“Too much! You should make your own wreaths! Have you ever made a wreath?”

“No.”

I believe Paul was looking down, smiling. I think we knew where this was going.

A Mainer Tradition

For generations, Mainers have been making wreaths at home. Wreath-making involves family and friends. Starting around the first of November, tips are gathered. Men usually tip; however, women certainly tip—just ask Deb!

Tips are called brush. You look for good, accessible brush. Carrying sticks of brush is heavy work—you don’t want to carry brush too far.

The primary rule is you must tip on land where it’s legal—your own or a friend’s. Not on private or public land.

Tips are the new growth at the end of the balsam fir branches. These are about 10 inches long, springy, fresh, and smell wonderful. I snap them off with my left hand and tuck them under my right arm. Once I’ve got more than I can carry, I head back to the stick and start loading them on.

Tip hunting in the woods: collecting the freshest growth for this year’s holiday wreaths.

The Harvest and Setup

The tips are stuck on a 1-inch square stick with a sharp point on each end. One end is planted in the ground in the tipping area. Tips are added to the other end, pushed down as the stick fills up. That stick becomes the measure of your harvest.

Full sticks are carried to a pickup truck and delivered to wreath makers. Each stick yields enough for many wreaths.

Wreaths are made on a 42-inch high stand with a 30-inch wide flat surface. The length of the stand depends on how many people are making wreaths—each person needs around 36 inches of space.

Tip sticks are kept nearby, and bundles are formed at the back of the stand. A sturdy 12-inch wire ring is the base.

Step-by-Step: Making the Wreath

Three tip ends are staggered about an inch to form a bundle.

Using thin wreath wire on a wooden spool, you attach the bundle to the ring. Deb insists: “Pull it really tight!” Secure the first bundle, flip the ring, and repeat on the opposite side. Continue this process—flip, bundle, wrap tightly.

When near the end, insert a 2–3-inch tie-off stick with the second-to-last bundle, wrap it, flip one last time, add the final bundle, tie off, and cut the wire.

The wreath is done—ready to be decorated.

Decorating is where the magic happens, and Deb is the magician. She has ribbons in every color and size, ties perfect bows without looking, and adds red berries and pine cones. Sometimes she mixes in cedar or white pine for variety. Even tree moss gets used.

Deb’s Porch in full swing: the wreath-making table covered with fragrant fir tips as the decorating begins.

First-Time Wreath Maker

I’m immensely proud of the wreaths I made—start to finish—with Deb’s help. I always knew I wasn’t a crafter. I think Deb knows that now too.

“I never taught a man to make a wreath before!”

Finished with flair: a proud first-time wreath maker shows off his handcrafted holiday wreath.