Making and Selling Fresh Holiday Wreaths From Your Garage: Sourcing, Shipping Rules and Safety
Fresh wreaths and holiday greenery sell fast in November and December, and you can make them with a clip, a wreath form and a cool corner of the garage. The catch is that the greenery itself is regulated in ways many first-time sellers do not expect. Where you get your boughs matters, and so does where you ship them.
This guide covers the practical side of a seasonal wreath business: sourcing, the rules to check, and how to sell. Rules differ by state, county and city, so treat this as general information and confirm locally.
Where the greenery comes from
You have three basic choices: buy boughs from a grower or wholesaler, harvest from your own land, or harvest from someone else’s land with permission. Buying is the simplest for a new seller because the grower handles the permits and you get a receipt.
Harvesting is where people get into trouble. Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources, for example, says a harvester needs a permit for any amount of boughs taken from public land, and more than 100 pounds from private land requires written landowner consent, a permit or a bill of sale. Anyone buying more than 100 pounds must hold a buyer’s license and keep a log of who they bought from. Other states have their own versions of these rules.
If you plan to buy in volume from local pickers, ask your state forestry or agriculture office whether a license or record-keeping rule applies to you.
Shipping rules to check before you mail a wreath
Local pickup is easiest. Shipping across state lines brings plant-health rules. Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry publishes a detailed chart for its wreath and greenery shippers. It shows how much the rules can vary by species and destination:
- Every package should be labeled with the contents, where it was grown and the shipper’s name and address.
- Some destinations require inspection and certification for pests such as spongy moth.
- Certain species are restricted or banned for some states, and a few states allow shipments only during set dates.
- Some decorative items, such as particular berries and fruits, are prohibited for certain destinations.
Those are Maine’s rules for Maine-grown material, so yours may differ. The lesson is general: before you advertise nationwide shipping, call your state department of agriculture and ask what applies to your product and your buyers’ states.
Startup costs and pricing
The basic kit is small: clippers, wreath rings or frames, floral wire, a work table and a cool place to store greenery. A University of Maryland Extension publication lists foot-operated wreath machines, rings, clippers and preservative as the core supplies, plus a vehicle for hauling greenery. Its prices date from 2003, so use it only to understand the equipment, not the costs. Price new supplies at local garden centers and craft suppliers in your area.
To price your wreaths, add the cost of greenery, the frame, wire, ribbon and any decorations, then add your time and your selling fees. Our guide to pricing handmade products walks through the formula. Compare your result with what local farm stands and garden centers charge, and adjust.
Selling and timing
- Start in early November. Buyers look for wreaths and centerpieces before Thanksgiving.
- Take preorders from neighbors, churches and offices so you know how much to make.
- Sell at holiday markets and farm stands, and consider selling wholesale to small shops.
- Sales tax may apply. Check your state’s rules before your first sale.
Safety notes
Cut greenery dries out and burns easily. Keep finished wreaths away from heaters, candles and open flames in your workspace, and tell buyers not to hang a fresh wreath near a heat source or place candles on it. Wear gloves when handling sharp boughs and use sharp, clean clippers to avoid hand strain.
Making fresh wreaths for a little extra income at the holidays can be a good fit for a garage business, as long as you check the sourcing and shipping rules first. Results will vary and nothing here guarantees sales.
More on Garage Business Blueprint
- Seasonal Decor as a Garage Business: Planning a Year of Holiday Products
- Getting Your Garage Business Ready for Holiday Craft Fairs
- Sales Tax Basics for a Garage Business
