DIY Holiday Wreaths

Zhuzh up your front door in any season with a festive DIY wreath. Before you head out to the craft store, look around your home first. Most, if not all, of the supplies you need for these ideas are in your house or backyard. Browse these creative, low-cost DIY wreath ideas and see if any spark your creativity.

1. Evergreen Wreath

We love this wreath because it's simple and smells great. If you put up a real tree for the holidays, use some of the cutoffs to make your wreath, or snip some branches from the conifers in your backyard and add them in. This one is crafted with wire coat hangers for easy hanging.

Supplies Needed

• 2 wire coat hangers
• Floral wire
• Wire cutters
• Pruning shears
• Pine or fir branches
• (Optional) hot glue gun
• (Optional) acrylic hot melt glue sticks
• (Optional) pine cones and dehydrated lemon, lime, and orange slices

Instructions

Step 1: Hold the hangers together with the hooks facing the same direction. Use your hands to bend the metal bases into a hoop shape, leaving the hooks as they are.
Step 2: Secure the hangers together with a few short pieces of floral wire.
Step 3: Cut 10-inch branches with the shears.
Step 4: Place a branch along one curved side of the hanger hoop and tie it on with one or two pieces of wire. Repeat this step on the same side, overlapping branches in the same direction around the circle until it's fully covered.
Step 5: (Optional) Glue pine cones and dehydrated citrus rounds to the wreath for extra color and scent.

  PRO TIPS:  

• Avoid using spruce branches because the needles are sharp.
• When the branches die, compost them and save the hangers for your next wreath. (Remove the wire and glued bits first if you've used any.)

2. Bow and Box Wreath

If you’re like many savvy DIYers and save gift bags, boxes, tissue paper, and bows, know that we appreciate your desire to be thrifty. Now, the question is: What do you do with all your seasonal bits and baubles? You make a wreath, of course.

Supplies Needed

• Large cardboard box (at least 14-by-14 inches)
• Wrapping paper
• Thin ribbon
• Scissors
• Gift wrap bows of varying sizes and colors (the kinds with adhesive backs are great for this)
• Tape

Instructions

Step 1: Cut a 12-inch circle from one side of the cardboard box. Cut out another circle from its inside that's eight inches in diameter, leaving you with a ring that's two inches thick on all sides.
Step 2: Cut the wrapping paper into long, two-inch thick strips.
Step 3: Wrap the strips around the cardboard, taping each end in place. Overlap them to ensure the entire ring is covered.
Step 4: Cut a three-foot length of wire ribbon and fold it in half to make a loop at one end.
Step 5: Create a lark's head knot by hooking the ribbon loop through the center of the ring and folding it up over the front while folding the loose ends up over the back. Thread the loose ends through the loop at the top of the ring and pull them tight.
Step 6: Tie the ends together in an overhand knot to finish your ribbon hanger.
Step 7: Position the bows in clusters on the wreath in any way you like. If the bows don’t have adhesive backs (or they’ve lost their stickiness over time), fold pieces of tape into loops with the sticky side out and use these to attach the bows on one side of the ring.

  PRO TIP:  

This wreath's materials won't weather the outdoor elements, so hang it in a three-season room or a covered nook on your patio.

3. Bird Food Wreath

Spread the holiday cheer to your feathered friends with this DIY bird feeder.

Supplies Needed

• 8" metal wreath frame
• Braided nylon rope
• Scissors
• Lighter
• 26 gauge floral wire
• Wire cutters
• Pine cones (amount varies depending on shape and size)
• Large sheet pan
• Wire rack
• 1 jar of creamy peanut butter
• Glass measuring cup
• Spatula
• 4+ cups birdseed

Instructions

Step 1: Cut a four-foot section of rope, tie one end to the frame, and make a loop in the other. Singe the ends with the lighter to prevent fraying.
Step 2: Place a pine cone against the metal frame and thread a piece of floral wire (six to eight inches long, depending on the cone size) through it, twisting the ends together to keep it secure. Repeat with all your cones until the entire frame is covered on the front and back.
Step 3: Put the wire rack on the baking sheet and place the wreath on top. This makes cleanup much easier.
Step 4: Scoop the peanut butter into the measuring cup, microwave it for 30 seconds, then stir. Repeat this until the peanut butter has melted to a thin, easy-to-pour consistency.
Step 5: Drizzle the melted peanut butter on the wreath, spreading it over the cones with the spatula. Scrape any drippings from the pan back into the cup, flip the wreath over, and pour the remaining peanut butter over the other side.
Step 6: Liberally sprinkle birdseed onto the wreath and gently press the seeds into the peanut butter with your hands. Flip it over, and repeat on the other side.
Step 7: Hang the wreath outside on a sturdy tree branch or shepherd's hook near a window so you can watch the birds enjoy this seasonal treat.

4. Woven Table Wreath

Wreaths make excellent centerpieces. Try this one to add an extra special touch to your seasonal tablescape.

Supplies Needed

• 10 fresh willow, dogwood, beech, or other thin, flexible tree branches cut into three-foot sections (or more if you want a thicker ring)
• Floral wire
• Burlap ribbon
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Acrylic hot melt glue sticks
• Autumn leaves or pine cones (whichever makes sense for the season)
• Dehydrated lemon, lime, and/or orange slices
• Rosemary springs

Instructions

Step 1: To start the base, assemble two thicker stems, staggering the ends.
Step 2: Twist the branches together, then bend them into a circular shape.
Step 3: Weave the ends together and secure them with a length of floral wire.
Step 4: Wrap more stems around the base to thicken it up, securing them with wire—try to distribute the wire evenly around the ring.
Step 5: Cover the wire sections with ribbon pieces long enough to wrap around the ring, gluing them in place.
Step 6: Glue pine cones or leaves on one side of your wreath, exposing areas so the branches are visible.
Step 7: Finish up by gluing on the citrus slices and rosemary, then let the wreath sit overnight so the glue can cure.

5. Wine Bottle Cork Wreath

Attention all oenophiles: Proudly display your love of a good glass of red with a DIY wine cork wreath. Collecting enough corks might take some time, but it's worth it when you hang this cute wreath on your door.

Supplies Needed

• Floral wire
• 12" polystyrene wreath ring
• Wire cutters
• Felt or fabric scraps
• Hot glue gun
• Acrylic hot melt glue sticks
• 60–70 wine bottle corks
• 15–20 mini pine cones
• 3 rosemary springs
• Wire ribbon

Instructions

Step 1: For the hook, cut a long length of floral wire and bend it in half.
Step 2: Twist the ends together about two inches from the bent section to form a loop.
Step 3: Position the loop on the side you won't be decorating, then tightly wrap the ends around the wreath. Twist them around the loop to secure it in place, then cut off any excess.
Step 4: Glue sections of felt or fabric scraps over the wire to prevent it from scratching walls.
Step 5: Glue the corks on the ring until one side is fully covered.
Step 6: Fill in the open spaces with pine cones and rosemary pieces.
Step 7: Tie your ribbon into a bow and glue it to the front of the wreath.
Step 8: Leave the wreath to sit overnight so the glue can cure, then hang it outside.

  PRO TIP:  

Get family and friends in on saving corks so you can accumulate supplies faster.

6. Wrapping Paper Wreath

Have excess wrapping paper? Make it the main character of a DIY wreath. Bonus: You can do this project with your kids.

Supplies Needed

• 12" polystyrene wreath ring
• Heavy-duty wrapping paper
• Scissors
• Tape
• Wire ribbon

Instructions

Step 1: Cut a long length of ribbon and tie it around the wreath ring in a lark’s head knot. (See Box and Bow Wreath instructions above for details.) Tie the loose ends into a bow to create a pretty hanging hook.
Step 2: Cut the wrapping paper into long, thin strips.
Step 3: Roll the strips lengthwise into thin tubes. Secure them with pieces of tape.
Step 4: Repeat Step 2 until you have enough tubes to cover the ring.
Step 5: Fold the tubes in half at slight angles to see both ends and tape the insides together. Change up the fold placement for each tube to ensure varied lengths.
Step 6: Tape the folded tubes to the front of the ring, overlapping them to ensure complete coverage.

  PRO TIP:  

Since this wreath is  made with lightweight materials, it's best displayed in a three-season room or on a covered porch, protected from wind and rain.

7. Halloween Wreath

Usher in spooky season with this eerily cool DIY wreath. This craft is a clever way to keep invasive trees in check because it’s woven from thorn-covered honey locust branches.

Supplies Needed

• Durable work gloves
• Safety glasses
• Thin honey locust branches, cut into three-foot sections
• (Optional) floral wire
• Garden shears
• Dried flowers, stems removed (roses preferably)
• Hot glue gun
• Acrylic hot melt glue sticks
• Scissors
• Dark brown felt
• Black, brown, or dark red ribbon
• (Optional) dark red paint

Instructions

Step 1: Don your gloves and glasses and carefully twist three of the branches together, staggering the ends.
Step 2: Bend the stems into a circular shape and twine the ends together. Secure them with floral wire.
Step 3: To make the wreath look fuller and extra thorny, wrap more branches around it and tie them in place with wire.
Step 4: Use the shears to cut the thorns off one side of the wreath. This will allow it to hang flat against your door.
Step 5: Cut the felt into small pieces and glue them to the cut side of the wreath to prevent possible scratches.
Step 6: Carefully tie the ribbon into a lark’s head knot. See Box and Bow Wreath instructions above for details.
Step 7: Glue the flowers around the wreath any way you like.
Step 8: (Optional) Dribble a bit of the red paint on a few of the thorns for a sanguine effect.
Step 9: Leave the wreath to dry overnight so the glue and paint can fully cure before hanging outside.

  PRO TIP:  

The thorns on a honey locust tree are very sharp, so be sure to wear proper safety gear and work in a kid- and pet-free area to prevent accidental pokes.

8. Jewelry Wreath

Give broken or unused costume jewelry a second chance to shine with this gorgeous wreath. You can use all sorts of jewelry styles and colors to create a wreath that enhances any season or aesthetic. We love this pink one because it's the perfect decor for Valentine's Day, spring, or summer.

Supplies Needed

• Foam wreath ring of any size
• Long, thin strips of fabric or ribbon
• Hot glue gun
• Acrylic hot melt glue sticks
• Heavy-duty craft wire
• Wire cutters
• Tweezers
• Costume jewelry

Instructions

Step 1: Wrap the fabric around the ring until it’s fully covered, gluing the material in place every few inches.
Step 2: Create a lark’s head knot around one section of the ring with the wire. See Box and Bow Wreath instructions above for details.
Step 3: Glue pieces of jewelry all over one side of the wreath in any way you wish. Leave the other side bare to prevent damage to walls, doors, or jewelry. Use the wire cutters to trim the backs of earrings and pins. Tweezers are great for securing small beads or gems while protecting your fingers from hot glue.
Step 4: Lay the wreath on a flat surface overnight so the glue can fully cure.

  PRO TIPS:  

• We recommend hanging this wreath inside—the jewelry is too delicate for outdoor use. If you want to display it outdoors, try putting it on a wall in a three-season room.
• Don’t skimp out on the heavy-duty wire. All that jewelry adds considerable heft to the wreath, so you’ll need something strong to keep it hanging securely.