Willow is such a wonderful material to work with. I must confess to becoming increasingly mesmerized by it over the last year. As a child, ‘weeping’ willows were my favourite type of tree – I loved the natural den space underneath their branches. Enclosed in that greenery I could read for what felt like hours or just watch their branches sway in a summer breeze. It’s only recently that I’ve realized there are over 400 different species of willow in the UK - their diversity and versatility when it comes to crafting has been a revelation.

I’ve also learnt that Willow for crafting comes in a variety of forms. ‘Buff’ willow has been boiled to remove its bark and dried, leaving it with a tan colour. This willow needs to be soaked and ‘mellowed’ before use and isn’t quite as pliable as ‘green’ fresh cut willow. It does have the advantage of knowing what it will look like when it re-dries after weaving and it can make sharper corners. It also makes an evocative creaking noise that makes me think of being on a boat, and is beautifully soft to the touch when worked. ‘Green’ willow, despite the name, can come in a rainbow of colours and can bend without breaking into extreme angles (if thin enough). In recent weeks I’ve been fortunate to work with both when making wreaths with different groups.

If you have access to willow this is a calming, mindful, activity to have a go at during this busy time. The same method works for fresh cut willow or ‘buff’ willow which you can get from some garden centres.

Overlap the willow and wrap the thinner end round and round to form a loose hoop – it won’t hold at this point when you let it go. Holding this secure with one hand choose another piece and starting at another point in the circle overlap with the first and weave it in and out of the first. Again, work the way the willow wants to bend and don’t worry about making it too tight, big loose wraps working with the bend of the willow work well. Keep adding pieces until you have the thickness you want – at least 6 are usually needed – but you can keep going to get quite a thick hoop if you like.

Next it’s time for a walk – around your garden or into your nearest greenspace – to find some fresh cut green to decorate your willow with. Evergreens work best, I like to collect stems traditional to Christmas at this time of year – holly, ivy, a trim off my Christmas tree. If you’re making it to help feed your garden birds, who can get hungry in the winter, it’s nice to look for some berries. There are still hawthorn and rosehip berries out there and these look like bright red jewels against the greenery. Foraged apples are also a treat for them, I was lucky enough to find half a bucketful at our Ufton reserve recently and have also seen some at Oakley Woods and Leam Valley. You may have some sad ones at the bottom of your fruit-bowl that you could donate!

For my volunteer groups I also made some simple pine cone feeders – pine cones on their own look great on a wreath, but covering them in a mix of lard or coconut oil with bird seed makes them into a treat for wildlife. The wreath in my garden now has two pinecones with no sign of seed after a fortnight!

To attach all your foraged treasures to your wreath you can either poke them through the gaps in your wreath or use wire or wool / string. Some people cover the whole wreath and others just a bit, letting the natural willow shine through. You can hang it on your door, inside the house to bring nature in or best yet, covered in treats and in your garden where you can maybe see it through a window and glimpse any visitors to your feast!