Tag Archives: How to make a themed wreath

Craft – More Christmas Wreaths

Posted on by

As I mentioned in a previous Décor post, Christmas Wreaths, I decorate our home during the Christmas season with several different wreaths hung throughout the house, some of these are traditional in style and other are more whimsical in design.  This Craft post will feature four wreaths with complete supply lists and instructions.

Gingerbread Men wreath

This Christmas wreath was inspired by one that I had seen on the 2012 HGTV White House Christmas television special.  The wreath featured was very simple in design and made from a pine wreath with several freshly baked gingerbread men placed side by side in a circular pattern to match the round shape of the wreath and interlaced with a red ribbon to secure the gingerbread men in place.

2012 White House gingerbread wreath

For the Gingerbread Men wreath, I used an 18”artificial pine wreath, a dozen paper-mâché gingerbread men, bronze metallic paint and paint, 18 bronze jingle bells and red ribbon in two widths (one roll of ¼”inch wide  to lace through the gingerbread men and one roll 2” wide to hang wreath).

Gingerbread Men wreath - supplies

First, the paper-mâché gingerbread men were painted in a beautiful bronze metallic paint to resemble the color of real gingerbread.

Gingerbread Men wreath - paint

After the paint has dried, position the gingerbread men around the wreath and interlaced the red ¼” wide ribbon between each of them to secure to the wreath.  Next, I add the bronze jingle bells throughout to complete the wreath.  The Gingerbread Men wreath will be displayed on the cabinet in our kitchen this holiday season, this room is usually decorated for Christmas with a candy cane and gingerbread theme.  To hang the wreath I used the 2”wide ribbon tied in a loop and finished with a bow.

Gingerbread Men wreath - final 1

Nutcracker wreath

Each Christmas, since our daughter was a small girl, our family tradition has been to a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet during the holiday season.  Over the years sometimes the show is a professional production or a cast of ballerinas from the local college or amateur dance company.  We always look forward the story, music and the dancing of the Nutcracker Ballet.

For the Nutcracker wreath, I started with an 18” artificial pine wreath.  At my local craft store I found a collection of eight Nutcracker ornaments that depicted the main characters of the ballet.  I placed these evenly spaced around the wreath, and then I added small white berries and completed the wreath with a “frosty” white bow.  The Nutcracker wreath will be displayed on the door to my daughter’s bedroom during this holiday season.

Nutcracker wreath - supplies    Nutcracker wreath - final

Boyd’s Bear wreath

I have a collection of Boyd’s Bear ornaments, in the past I have displayed them scattered among a pine garland on the fireplace mantel in our California home.  (For a photo of the fireplace garland please check out the Décor post, Displaying a Boyd’s Bears Collection – Part Two)  Since we moved to the Midwest a few years ago I have not displayed the ornaments and this year I decided to use the ornaments in a different way by displaying them on a Christmas wreath.

For the Boyd’s Bear wreath, I started with an 18” artificial pine wreath.  I arranged eight of my Boyd’s Bear ornaments evenly around the wreath and secured them with wire.  Next, I added small wooden snowflakes scattered in between the ornaments.

Boyds Bears wreath - supplies    Boyds Bears wreath - final

Teddy Bear wreath

Over the years I have collected some small teddy bears, last year I displayed them on a tabletop Christmas tree which I set on the top of the roll-top desk in out master bedroom.  (For a look at a photo, please check out the Décor post, Displaying a Boyd’s Bear collection – Part Two) and this year I decided to display the collection on a Christmas wreath.

For the Teddy Bear wreath, I started with an 18” artificial pine wreath.  I evenly spaced the small teddy bears around the wreath with the Santa and Mrs. Claus teddy bears at the bottom.  At the top, I left a space for a small “Happy Holidays” sign.  Next, I added four pine sprays with berries and added four large pinecones to the wreath.  Finally, to complete the wreath I added several red berries scattered around.

Teddy bear wreath - supplies    Teddy bear wreath - final

These four Christmas wreaths are a great way to use a specific theme and ornaments and hopefully inspire you to take a trip to your local craft or retail store.  There are some additional examples of themed wreaths in a December 2012 Craft post, Christmas Wreaths, with complete supply lists and instructions.  The three wreaths are a Dickens Village Wreath and a North Pole Wreath using miniature Department 56 building ornaments and a Disney Wreath, using Hallmark ornaments of Disney characters.

Craft – Christmas Wreaths

Posted on by

What could be more traditional then a Christmas wreath during the holiday season.  I decorate our house with several different wreaths – some are classic and some are whimsical in design.  For this craft project, I will show you how to create three unique wreaths.  The first wreath will use small Department 56 porcelain house ornaments from the Dickens Village collection.  The second wreath will also use small Department 56 house ornaments but this time from the North Pole collection.  For the third wreath, I will use a collection of a Hallmark series ornaments featuring Disney characters as a marching band.

NOTE: The small Department 56 Village house ornaments can be hard to find in stores and I recommend checking EBay as a good source for purchasing them.

    

DICKENS VILLAGE WREATH

For the Dickens wreath, I used a 12” pine wreath, several small Department 56 Dickens Village house ornaments and small resin pine trees.  I also used a 6 X 3” piece of balsa wood painted brown and the piece of wood will provide a flat surface to securely glue the Department 56 house ornaments and a few small pine trees.  Holes should be drilled at each end of the wood piece and attached to the wreath with wire.  Next, I added a coordinating bow to complete the wreath and give it a finished look.

    

NORTH POLE WREATH

For the North Pole wreath, I start with a 12” pine wreath, several small Department 56 North Pole house ornaments and small pine trees.  I also used a 6 X 3” piece of balsa wood painted brown and he piece of wood will provide a flat surface to securely glue the Department 56 house ornaments and a few small pine trees.  Holes should be drilled at each end of the wood piece and attached to the wreath with wire.  To complete this North Pole themed wreath, at the top I attached a small resin sign that says “Believe”.

NOTE: If you cannot find an appropriate sign for the top of your wreath, use small snowflake ornaments attached by wire and cascading down from the top for a wonderful winter look.

     

DISNEY CHARACTERS WREATH

For this Disney themed wreath, I started with a 12” pine wreath, a collection of a Hallmark series ornaments featuring Disney characters as a marching band and several plastic musical notes.  I attach the Disney ornaments and musical notes to the wreath with wire – creating a pleasing arrangement.  Next, I added a black sparkle bow to complete the wreath and give it a finished look.

    

For additional ideas on decorating with Christmas wreaths, please look for this week’s Décor post.  Also, check out last month’s Craft project for a special Memory Wreath decorated with small photo frame ornaments.