YOU can make the Jared Coffin House Cranberry Wreath

CRANBERRY WREATH INSTRUCTIONS

By Margaret G. Read
2005

SUPPLIES NEEDED

• 14” or 16" green styrofoam wreath form — available at local florist
• Approximately 4 - 5 bags fresh, firm cranberries
• 2 boxes round toothpicks - break contents of one box in half
• Enough wire to make a STRONG hanging loop
• Needle nose pliers
• All weather type bow - can be made or purchased from florist - (I buy one already made from CVS - Kmart has them as well) - color of your choice (I use cranberry or burgundy)
• 1/2 bale soft white pine cut into small branches - available from florist
• "H" pins to fasten pine to wreath form
• Hair spray to protect berries from birds and weather and to give an all-over shine.

INSTRUCTIONS:

First you need to sort a bag or two of berries, discarding the rotten ones! Then it is helpful to separate the larger, darker berries from the smaller ones. The bigger ones will be used for the "face" of your wreath. The smaller ones will be used for the inside and of top of your wreath. (Any unused berries can be used for Cranberry Orange Relish - recipe on bag!!)

Wrap hanging wire around form several times to form strong and secure loop for hanging. Mark wreath form as shown in diagram and begin attaching berries with toothpicks. For inside and outside edges and some of the face of the wreath I break the toothpicks in half- sticking the broken end into the berry first and then putting the pointed end into the wreath form.

Start berries from the inside edge in even rows, placing them very close together so green from the form does not show. Use needle nose pliers to accomplish this. Do entire inside, then top of wreath and then go on to the face (see sketch for clearer explanation.) The face should have a graduated, mounded effect which can be done by placing a row of berries on whole toothpicks right around the whole face in the center and then reducing the height of toothpicks as you work to each edge. Work berries in straight rows around the face rather than from edge to edge.

Upon completion of berries on the top, start attaching the pine. Start at center working towards edges. Face, inside and outside edges should be completely covered by pine (in that order), creating a full and bushy "basket" effect I find it easiest to hang wreath up on a door to attach the pine evenly. After finishing attaching the pine, spray completed wreath (berries and pine alike) with hairspray. This will create a lovely shiny look. Then attach your bow using extra wire if necessary. Hang outside in a cool place. Wreath can last up to a month if weather cooperates!