There's nothing better than seeing a bright and cheery wreath every time you walk into a friend's (or your) home. They're an easy way to bring the joy of the holidays into your living room or on your front door. Plus, they're not just for Christmas. Wreaths come in every color and style imaginable, so you can always experience a warm welcome to your space in the form of a beautiful wreath.
When shopping for a wreath, pay attention to its construction and where it can be placed in your home. Most wreaths are designed to hang on your front door in a covered area, while others are more durable for outdoor use or too fragile and best suited for indoors.
It's also important to choose the right size for your door. Most wreaths measure 24 to 36 inches, which fits perfectly on a standard 36-inch door. But there are also miniature and oversized wreaths for decorating fireplaces, back doors, or indoor walls.
Luckily, we found the best Christmas wreaths for every occasion, door, and style to upgrade your indoor or outdoor Christmas decorations.
Artificial Wreaths
Artificial wreaths are an awesome budget-friendly option that you can reuse year after year. The fake branches may take a few minutes to untangle and manipulate every year to look perfect, but it's worth the effort.
You also have more options when it comes to where to display them. Live wreaths are often limited to indoor and outdoor covered use, but fake options, like the Pure Garden Artificial Boxwood Wreath, can better withstand the elements. That one is even UV-resistant to prevent fading in the sun.
While they may seem a bit boring to some, they can be perfect for minimalists who want a classic, rustic look. Plus, these wreaths can be decorated with ornaments, ribbons, pine cones, and more to make them their own.
Live Wreaths
Make your house look and smell like the holidays this year with a live wreath. These require more care and often cannot be reused year after year, but they're definitely beautiful. Plus, options like the Farmers' Market Herb Live Wreath from Williams Sonoma even smell amazing with dried sage, thyme, and bay leaves throughout.
Most live wreaths, like the Joss & Main Javin Preserved Boxwood Real Greenery Wreath, are made from dried or preserved botanicals, so they're more fragile and can lead to shedding. They should always be displayed somewhere that's protected from the elements to ensure their longevity.
If you plan to keep these for more than one year, we recommend investing in a wreath storage box. Another positive of these wreaths is they are often beautiful and simple enough to be displayed year-round. Just add a string of Christmas lights during the winter, and you're ready for festivities.
Pre-Lit Wreaths
Pre-lit holiday decor wreaths are ideal for nighttime displays, as they already have lights built into the design. They take the guesswork out of decorating your wreath for a one-and-done door display. Many options, including the National Tree Company Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Wreath, even have timers to automatically go on when the sun sets.
Pre-lit wreaths can also come fully decorated with other add-ons, like the Frontgate Christmas Cheer Wreath, which has pinecones, berries, and a red bow. You'll also find unique pre-lit options for those who favor nontraditional holiday decor, including the Hallmark Sparkling White Christmas Wreath with Lights.
Ornament Wreaths
Who says ornaments are just for Christmas trees? For a bit more pizzazz, ornament wreaths will make for an eye-catching display on your front door. These fun wreaths are made up of holiday ornaments, and you can choose from several color themes to match your decor.
Opt for a nontraditional rainbow palette like the Cody Foster Flocked Wreath or classic red and green in the Clever Creations 13-inch Artificial Christmas Wreath. The Pottery Barn Faux Pine Ornament Wreath closely resembles a standard artificial pine wreath with a few ornaments scattered throughout.
Be aware that these wreaths are usually smaller, around 15 to 22 inches in diameter. Therefore, they work best in windows, doorways, or as a set to decorate a fireplace or empty wall.
Unique Wreaths
Tired of the same holiday wreaths you see hung on every neighbor's door? Think outside the box with your holiday decor this year with an asymmetrical wreath, one with adorable Christmas characters, or one made from unexpected materials, like the mesh ribbons used in The Holiday Aisle's Merry Christmas Striped Wreath.
Asymmetrical wreaths, like the Northlight Mixed Greenery and Berry Artificial Asymmetrical Christmas Wreath, leave some of the wire hoop exposed, with the other side covered in gorgeous faux mixed greenery. The unique arrangement makes for a lightweight wreath that's easy to hang just about anywhere, but it's best suited for indoor use.
We love shopping on Etsy for unique, handmade wreaths, some of which you can customize to your liking. Just remember that buying from independent sellers often means longer shipping times, so buy early!
Berry Wreaths
Pretend you're walking through a wintry forest with a rustic wreath covered in berries. Opt for an all-red look with this wreath from Amazon for a monochromatic outdoor holiday display.
If you prefer greenery on your front door, pick this wreath from Darby Creek Trading, which has a frosty sheen amidst the red berries. Perfect for indoor or outdoor use, these sleek options are perfect to spice up with a ribbon or string of lights, while the simple color scheme could suit any home decor for year-round use.
One thing to note is that they are difficult to store because of the fragile berries, so be sure to take extra care of this piece at the end of the season.
Pinecone Wreaths
Pinecones are a classic wreath decoration, especially for those who love a rustic look around the holidays. Some wreaths have a few pinecones sprinkled throughout, including The Holiday Aisle'a Glittery Gold Dunhill Fir Wreath, which comes in a fun snowflake shape. Others, like the Huashen Natural Pinecone Wreath, are completely made with pinecones.
We argue that pinecone wreaths can be left up all year round, especially starting in the fall. You can always make them pop with string lights or a few of your favorite ornaments. To ensure the wreath lasts a long time, keep it out of direct sunlight or humidity.
Mini Wreaths
If you live in an apartment, have smaller doors to decorate, or want something a bit more subtle this holiday season, choose a mini wreath. Luckily, you can find almost any wreath we discussed on this list in a miniature size. For example, the AmysBowCo Bow Wreath is an awesome artificial option you can spruce up with more ribbons and lights.
For something more unique, we love this Silver Jingle Bell Wreath from Williams Sonoma. Now, it doesn't only look like Christmas, but it sounds like it, too! We also love the idea of decorating windows, walls, or kitchen cabinets with small wreaths, like this 12-pack from Retrowavy.
Bow Wreaths
Bows and ribbons are everywhere when it comes to fashion, shoes, and accessories, so why not incorporate the same chic aesthetic into your holiday decorating? Go classic with this green velvet wreath with a big bow on top or experiment with a new color scheme with PB Teen's LoveShackFancy collection.
If you love the look of bows and ribbons but are worried you may change your mind next year, choose a simple wreath and add your own decorations.
Flocked Wreaths
White Christmas or not, you can imagine you're celebrating the holidays in a snowy wonderland with a flocked wreath on your front door or mantle. Flocking refers to the process of applying fake snow to Christmas trees, wreaths, or garlands to give them a realistic appearance of being outside right after snowfall.
Flocked wreaths present a great opportunity to incorporate a metallic theme into your holiday decor, as seen on the National Tree Company Sheffield Spruce Flocked Wreath, which features gold and silver ornaments. An all-white monochromatic tree would look beautiful with Pottery Barn's Faux Flocked Blackmore Wreath with white berries and rustic pinecones.
You can still find pre-lit flocked wreaths, like the Jeff Leatham Winter White Flocked Pre-Lit Wreath, for a festive and wintry glow. And if you're missing a pop of color, consider the King of Christmas 24" King Flock Wreath that's bare except for a tan and white bow and warm white lights.
Demi Wreaths
Demi wreaths are just like any other holiday wreath but they're only half decorated with festive elements like ornaments, flocked fir branches, pinecones, or more. They're perfect for all spaces, especially minimalist ones with their chic and timeless designs.
If you're looking to decorate an empty wall or even your kid's room, opt for the Rifle Paper Co. Christmas Demi Wreath which is filled with sparkly stars, a gingerbread man, and adorable red and white candies. Another whimsical option you can choose is the World Market Ivory Sherpa and Bottlebrush Tree Wreath which is decorated with colorful trees and will add a cozy factor to any hygge-inspired home.
However, if you want a more classic look, we recommend choosing the Northlight Mixed Greenery and Berry Artificial Asymmetrical Christmas Wreath which will make a stunning statement with its bright berries and grand structure.
What to Look for in a Christmas Wreath
Ensure Your Wreath Fits On Your Door
You still want to be able to close your front door, even with a beautiful wreath on it. Before clicking “add to cart” on a holiday wreath, measure out the space you want it to live—whether it'll be propped up on a door, mantle, or laid out on the table as a centerpiece.
Wreaths' measurements are usually listed by their diameter due to their circular structure. We found 16, 18, 22, and 30 inches in diameter are the most popular wreath sizes. The Frontgate Christmas Cheer Cordless Wreath is the largest on our list at 30 inches, so it really packs a punch.
But we also recommend several mini wreaths for smaller doors or for hanging throughout your home. The Retrowavy Kitchen Cabinet Wreaths are the smallest we recommend at 3.9 inches. Therefore, despite how much space you have to decorate, there's a wreath out there for you.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Wreaths
While all wreaths fare better inside, away from direct light and heat, artificial wreaths, the National Tree Company Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Wreath generally holds up well in any kind of temperature and conditions.
Live, preserved wreaths, like the Joss & Main Javin Preserved Boxwood Wreath, are recommended for indoor use away from sunlight. In this case, you have to decide between prioritizing the smell and look of a live wreath or the durability of an artificial choice.
Others made without greenery entirely, like the Huashen Natural Pinecone Wreath or the Silver Jingle Bell Wreath from Williams Sonoma are more durable for hanging on your front door. If you live in a particularly harsh winter climate, check to see if the manufacturer recommends outdoor use before hanging it on your front door.
Add a Festive Glow
Whether to purchase a wreath with lights or not is entirely a personal preference, but for outdoor wreaths, keep in mind that the sun sets terribly early during the holiday season.
Others, including the National Tree Company Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Wreath, conveniently come with a timer to automatically turn on the wreath's lights when the sun sets. Pay attention to the power source of your wreath. It could limit where you hang it, depending on whether it uses batteries or needs to be placed near an outlet.
For example, the Hallmark Sparkling White Christmas Wreath with Lights comes with pre-strung lights to brighten your home, while the Frontgate Christmas Cheer Cordless Wreath is cordless and uses C or D batteries, depending on the size.
Honor Your Decorating Style
As this list has proven, there is an endless number of wreath styles to choose from. Rustic-decor lovers may choose the Nearly Neutral Berry Wreath in a red hue, while maximalists would rather hang The Holiday Aisle's red and green ribbon wreath.
Red and green traditionalists may opt for the Pottery Barn Faux Pine Ornament Wreath, while those who love unexpected color combinations during the holidays might prefer the AllModern Shiny and Matte Ball Wreath in gold or rainbow.
Wreaths also come in unique shapes if you love traditional greenery but still want something outside the norm. The Pure Garden Artificial Boxwood Wreath comes in a square, while the National Tree Company Glittery Gold Dunhill Fir Wreath resembles a snowflake.
If you choose a minimalist wreath, you can always choose to decorate it yourself. Get the whole family involved by adding lights and ribbons to an otherwise plain real or artificial wreath. Cinnamon sticks, holly, ornaments, dried oranges, pinecones, winter berries, and/or ribbons also make great additions. If you don't want to start from a completely blank slate, choose a flocked wreath, like the King of Christmas King Flock Wreath.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields an associate editor for The Spruce covering all things holiday decor for the past three years. For this story, she researched hundreds of wreaths on the market, considering fresh, artificial, nontraditional, and festive versions, considering each pick's size, light features, and style.
She's personally used the Frontgate Christmas Cheer Cordless Wreath (even though it barely fits on the door of her NYC apartment) and always loves the ritual of hanging a wreath on your front door every year. She has fond memories of driving through her neighborhood admiring (and judging) neighbor's wreaths and decorations, knowing nothing could compare to her childhood home in her eyes.