Looking for something easy to make that will add a nice delicate scent to your kitchen or dining room? This Herbal Scented wreath can be made specifically with the holidays in mind, or change the ribbon hanger to match your usual décor for a nicely fragranced addition to the home. You can also make them to give away as Hostess gifts during holiday dinner get-togethers or as housewarming presents for friends and family. This is what you will need to make one:

Herbal Scented Wreath--Step #1: Materials

Wire (Use one that is heavy gauge, but will still bend easily enough to twist the ends together using pliers. Cut a long length, at least two or three feet, to use. You will cut off the excess when you get everything you want on it.)

Pliers (For shaping the wire.)

Wire Cutters

Slices of Dried Apples and/or Oranges (You can buy these, or use a food dehydrator to make your own.)

Whole Bay Leaves (Use only ones that are in good shape, with as few rips or tears as you can find.)

Whole Cinnamon Sticks

Whole Nutmegs (If you can't find any real ones, you can use small Styrofoam balls painted to match your ribbon instead. They won't smell near as good, but it's only for a filler to use between the items.)

Wide Ribbon ( At least ten to twelve inches, in whatever pattern or color you choose.)

Scissors

Herbal Scented Wreath--Step #2: Putting It Together

Take your length of wire and begin by using your pliers to make a loop in one end. Make the loop about as big around as the end of your thumb. This serves two purposes. It will hold your items to keep them from slipping off the end, and you will use it to run the other end through to tie it off.

Once your wire is ready, start threading on your items. To begin with, take a whole nutmeg (or your painted and dried Styrofoam ball) and push it onto the wire. Make sure that the wire goes through the center of it to keep it uniform. Once that is pushed down the length of the wire and is sitting against the loop, take ten to twenty whole bay leaves and push them onto the wire through their center. This step will go easier if you can put them on all at the same time as opposed to one at a time. By doing them in groups instead of individually you will keep the tears down to a minimum.

After the cluster of bay leaves is in place, thread on a cinnamon stick. Do this carefully to avoid breaking it. Next, you will slide on two or three slices of apples and /or oranges. Again, keeping it centered. You can just do one kind, such as three slices of apples or oranges. Or you can "sandwich" them for a more colorful effect. Try an arrangement such as a slice of apple, then a slice of orange, and another slice of apple, or vice versa.

Herbal Wreath--Step #3: Finishing Touches

Staying with that order, add to your wreath until you get it to the length you want. You can check it by giving your wire a slight bend every once in a while to see how large of a wreath you will end up with. Your order will be: a nutmeg (or Styrofoam ball); bay leaves; cinnamon stick; and dried fruit slices.

When you get your wreath as full as you want, use your wire cutters to cut the surplus wire off, leaving at least four inches. Take this and pass it through the loop in the other end; and then crimp it closed with your pliers. Tie your ribbon into a knot over the loop to hide it, keeping the ends even. Find out how long you need the hanger to be and, bringing the two ends together, tie them into a knot at that spot. Finish it off with a bow and trim the excess ribbon. Whether you make this herbal wreath for yourself or to give away as a gift, the fragrance is wonderful and the presentation is beautiful.

Source : Olde Glory Store