Step 1. Start with a ring
The easiest way to create a homemade wreath is to start with a polystyrene laurel chaplet ring. The chaplet will give your ANZAC Day wreath a nice rounded shape and ensure it’s not too flat. It will also give you a structured base to work from and ensures that the shape of your wreath is never compromised.
Step 2. Add wreath wrap
To cover the polystyrene, add some green wreath wrap around the ring. The wrap will provide the perfect background to add greenery and foliage to, and will ensure that you cannot see any of the polystyrene chaplet. To use, simply wrap the wreath wrap around the ring, securing with glue or mossing pins. The mossing pins can be pushed down deep into the polystyrene, until you can’t see them.
Step 3. Add leaves
The next step in making your ANZAC Day wreath is to add your laurel leaves. The wreath is designed to sit with the flowers at the bottom; the rounded side. Therefore, ideally the leaves should wrap from the top; the pointy side, and all be facing the same way, with the pointy ends of the leaves facing upwards towards the pointed end of the wreath. Secure the leaves with glue or mossing pins.
Step 4. Add poppies
Next, add your poppies to your ANZAC Day wreath in a small cluster at the bottom of the wreath. The middle poppy should face centre, and any accompanying poppies should be facing away from the centre, heading outwards towards the sides. Simply cut the poppy stems down to about 5cm long and place the poppies in the wreath.
Step 5. ANZAC Day sash placement
Finally, a “Lest We Forget” sash will add the finishing touch to your ANZAC Day wreath. Your ANZAC Day sash placement is important to get right. The sash (or ribbon) should be placed high in the left corner, across the wreath, and finishing low in the right corner to symbolise the sun rising in the East and setting in the west. Pin the sash firmly across the side of the wreath. Ensure that it is secured tight across the wreath or it will sag!
If you want to add a curl on each side of the sash, it’s much easier to do this before you add the sash to the wreath. Create your curl at each end of the ribbon by pre-rolling and tightening it securely together using florist wire, then, using the loose ends of the wire, pin it to the wreath.
And there you have it! Your completed ANZAC Day wreath. These wreaths are typically given to soldiers, or lain at memorial sites or graves as a mark of respect for the dead.
Note: if you want to get a little more creative with your ANZAC Day wreath, use a round circle polystyrene wreath or dry wreath ring.
Used widely in memorial events and unlike store-bought flowers, an ANZAC day wreath shows a labour of love and devotion.
Find out how to create a specially-made ANZAC Day wreath in our blog article and here are the supplies you will need.