How to Keep Your Fresh Christmas Wreath and Garland Looking Great All Season

Barb Bacon, Bacon's Christmas Tree Farm

Quick answer: Keep fresh wreaths and garland outdoors or somewhere cool, out of direct sun and away from heat vents, and mist them with water every few days. Cared for this way, they'll typically stay full and fragrant for four to six weeks.

A fresh wreath is a different animal than a fresh tree, no water stand involved, but it still needs a little attention to look its best from Thanksgiving through New Year's.

How to Keep Your Wreath Fresh

Here's what I tell our customers every season.

Keep It Cool and Out of the Sun

Heat and direct sunlight are what dry out a wreath fastest. Outdoors on a porch, door, or fence is ideal, our Pacific Northwest winters do a lot of the work for you. If you're hanging it indoors, keep it away from heating vents, fireplaces, and any spot that gets direct afternoon sun.

Mist It Every Few Days

A light misting with water every two to three days helps keep the needles hydrated and slows down drying. A spray bottle works fine, you don't need to soak it, just enough to dampen the greens.

Watch the Placement in Your Car and Home

The same rule from our trees applies here: never rest a wreath or garland against a heat vent, in your car or your house. That warm, dry air will brown the needles faster than almost anything else.

How Long Will It Last

With those basics, a fresh wreath or garland from Bacon's will typically hold its color and fragrance for four to six weeks, plenty to get you from Thanksgiving weekend through the New Year.

Ordering for a Fundraiser or in Wholesale Quantity

If you're managing a school, church, or organization fundraiser, or ordering wholesale for a business, the same care tips apply once your group hands them off to buyers, worth including in your order confirmation email. See our wholesale and fundraiser pages for minimum order quantities and this year's ordering window.