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viking.com | 23 C H R I S T M A S I S S U E 2 4 Make your own CHRISTMAS WREATH A fun and festive activity to share with your loved ones YOU WILL NEED: • Wreath base: You can use a wire frame or a foam ring • Greenery: Fresh pine, fir, or local eucalyptus branches. • Decorations: Ornaments, ribbons, cinnamon sticks, tinsel and other festive embellishments. • Tools: Floral wire, wire cutters, hot glue gun, and scissors. Prepare your base: Start with your chosen wreath base. If you're using a wire frame, you may want to wrap it with floral wire or green floral tape to give it a more natural look when you secure the greenery. Gather and prepare greenery: Collect your greenery and cut it into manageable pieces, around 15cm long. If you are using fresh branches, make sure they are hydrated and not too dry. Attach the greenery: Begin attaching the greenery to the wreath base. Take a small bundle of branches and secure them to the base using floral wire. Wrap the wire around the base and the stems tightly to hold them in place. Continue adding bundles, overlapping them slightly to cover the stems and wire of the previous bundle. Work your way around the entire wreath until it is fully covered. Add decorations: Once your base is covered with greenery, add your decorations. Use a hot glue gun to attach pinecones, berries, native florals, tinsel and ornaments. You can also use floral wire to secure larger items. Be creative and arrange the decorations in a balanced way, ensuring they are evenly distributed around the wreath. Add a Bow: A festive bow can be an elegant finishing touch. Use a wide ribbon to create a large bow and attach it to the bottom or top of the wreath with floral wire or hot glue. You can also let the ribbon tails cascade down. Final Touches: Inspect your wreath and make any final adjustments. Ensure all decorations are securely attached and that the wreath looks full and balanced. Trim any excess stems or wire that might be sticking out. Put it on display: Hang your wreath on your front door, above your fireplace, or on a wall to spread festive cheer. You can use a wreath hanger or a simple piece of ribbon to hang it. If you are using fresh greenery, mist it with water occasionally to keep it looking fresh throughout the festive season.

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