Wreaths: the spot matters more than the size
The most common wreath mistake is starting with centimetres. Start with where it will hang.
A wreath’s diameter is set by the surface, not by fashion: on a front door it should leave space around it; on a wall or above a fireplace it works like a painting and benefits from a larger size.
By location
| Location | What to choose |
|---|---|
| Front door | narrower than the door leaf, with space around it |
| Wall or fireplace | a larger diameter — here the wreath stands in for a painting |
| Window | equally neat on both sides — it is seen from the street too |
| Table | lay it flat with a candle in the centre |
Sizing a wreath for your door, step by step
- Measure the width of the door leaf and decide how high the wreath will hang
- Cut a cardboard circle of the diameter you are considering and fix it with masking tape
- Step back a few paces to where guests will see the door and check that there is space left on both sides
- Check that the circle clears the handle, peephole and lock, and that the door still closes freely
- If it looks too big, make the template smaller: a large wreath on a narrow door looks heavy
A cardboard template takes a few minutes and saves you from the most common disappointment: a wreath that looked well proportioned in the photo but covers half the door.
How high to hang it
On a front door, a wreath is usually hung with its centre slightly above an adult’s eye level: that way it reads from a distance and stays clear of the handle. Above a fireplace or chest of drawers, take your cue from the furniture below — the wreath and the surface beneath should look like one composition, without a large empty gap between them.
The same needles as the trees
Wreaths are made from the same cast needles as the trees — they do not shed and go back in the box until next season looking just the same.
How to hang it without drilling
- A ribbon over the door leaf or a hook over the edge
- Metal door: a magnetic hook; glass or mirror: a suction-cup hook
- Wall or fireplace: an adhesive hook that comes off without marks
- Before hanging, fluff the branches all the way round — that is what makes it full
- Store it flat in the box with nothing on top
How to dress a wreath
Cast needles make a ready base that is easy to restyle from season to season. Attach decorations to the frame with thin wire in the colour of the needles, not to the tips of the sprigs: that way they sit straight and do not pull the wreath down.
- One wide bow, at the top or bottom, not in the middle of the ring
- Baubles and cones in clusters rather than spread evenly around the ring
- A battery-powered LED string where there is no socket nearby
- Less is more: a wreath on the front door is seen from a distance, and small details get lost
A wreath in the window
A wreath in a window is seen from both sides, so the fixings and wire need to look neat from inside and from the street. Hang it on a ribbon fixed to the frame or curtain rail, and keep it off the glass — that way it hangs straight and does not collect condensation.
An outside door: what to consider
A wreath on the door of a house lives in different conditions from one in a flat: wind, snow, rain and temperature swings. A few simple habits help it stay neat until the end of the holidays.
- Fix the wreath at two points, top and bottom, so the wind does not knock it against the door
- After wet snow or rain, let the wreath dry indoors before putting it back in its box
- Keep ribbons and fabric decorations for indoor doors — outside they are the first to get wet
Common mistakes
- Buying a wreath without measuring the door — and ending up with a circle that covers the peephole or handle
- Loading heavy decorations on one side — the wreath tilts and hangs crooked
- Hanging it on thin cord that cuts into the needles — a wide ribbon holds it straighter and looks neater
- Packing the wreath away damp — store it only when dry
- Choosing the wreath separately from the tree when both are in the same room: the needles and shade should match
Can a wreath go on the table with candles?
Yes, it is one of the best ways to use a wreath. Place the candle in a separate holder inside the ring rather than directly on the needles, and never leave an open flame unattended. An easier option is LED candles: they give the same warm accent without a flame.
Should the wreath match the tree?
Not necessarily, but it makes things easier. A snowy wreath next to a snowy tree reads as one set. A green wreath on the front door with a snowy tree in the living room works too, since they are never seen together.
How is the wreath delivered, and what if it does not fit?
Wreaths ship with Nova Poshta free of charge within 1–3 business days; pay by card or cash on delivery. If the wreath does not suit you, it can be returned within 14 days under the terms on the “Exchanges and returns” page.