Hands-On Holiday: Wreath Making at Canterbury Shaker Village

Christmas at Canterbury — Wreath Making is a hands-on holiday workshop held in Canterbury, New Hampshire, where locals and visitors gather to craft wreaths from regional greens under the guidance of Jen Hopkins. The session takes place in Canterbury, a small New Hampshire town set amid mixed hardwood and evergreen stands, and focuses on using locally foraged materials — ribbons, berries, pinecones and branches — to assemble a lasting door wreath.

This workshop reads like a seasonal slice of place: instructors demonstrate basic wreath frames and foundational binding techniques, then hand out bundles of spruce, cedar, pine, and clipped cones. Participants learn to combine textures — glossy holly-like berries set against the flat needles of spruce — and to finish pieces with wired ribbons and a personal bow. The experience is social and tactile; you’ll leave with a finished wreath and the know-how to make another at home.

What makes this offering special is its direct thread to the surrounding landscape. Materials are local, the tempo is unhurried, and the instructor, Canterbury resident Jen Hopkins, brings neighborhood knowledge that ties craft to place. For visitors who came for trails and winter walks in central New Hampshire, this is a warm, creative way to translate the region’s plant life into holiday decor. The class also functions as a small-scale cultural moment: New England holiday greenery has deep roots in colonial-era craft, and this modern workshop keeps that lineage alive while emphasizing low-impact sourcing.

Logistics are straightforward: sessions typically last 90–120 minutes and are accessible to beginners. The host provides materials but encourages participants to bring pruning shears if they prefer. Small groups keep the pace flexible and allow for one-on-one tips. Workshops are ideal for couples, solo travelers seeking a community activity, or families with older children.

As an addition to an outdoor itinerary, the wreath workshop is a practical, memorable stop. Pair it with a nearby woodland walk to spot the same species you’ll be working with, or schedule it after a local holiday market visit. The finished wreath makes a compact, meaningful souvenir that captures the season and the place.

Book early: space is limited and these holiday slots fill quickly. Bring warm layers for winter walks to the material source, and a box to carry your wreath home safely. Whether you’re a hands-on maker or trying a new holiday tradition, Christmas at Canterbury — Wreath Making offers a uniquely local way to celebrate the season.

Sessions are family-friendly but recommend checking age guidelines; younger children often need adult assistance. Materials may vary by date based on what’s sustainably available, so hosts sometimes substitute dried elements like cedar sprays or preserved berries. Expect a relaxed pace and time to personalize every wreath with small keepsakes.