Introduction
Making Christmas wreaths is an excellent way to celebrate the holiday season and add decoration to your house. Christmas wreaths are excellent crafts for any budget because they are so diverse. You probably already have the materials that you need to make a great Christmas wreath right in your home.
Instructions
To make a Christmas wreath all you need are a few materials and some imagination. Christmas wreaths can be very simple or elaborate depending on how much time, effort and money that you are willing to invest in the project. Below are some easy to follow steps that will help you to make your own Christmas wreath.
How to make a great Christmas wreath
Step #1 – Find a base
You can buy a base for your wreath at a discount store, craft store or simply by buying sturdy wire. The base of the wreath needs to be strong enough to be able to hold the weight of whatever you plan on decorating it with. Many times discount stores or goodwill stores will have outdated or damaged wreaths that you can purchase for pennies on the dollar and simply remove any decoration to use the base to make your own wreath.
Step #2 : If using a wire base, manipulate your wire base into any shape
A popular style is to have a wreath in a shape other than a circle, such as a star or a square. If you use a wreath base that is made of whicker or some other non-pliable material, make sure that you buy the shape of wreath you want as it is unlikely that you will be able to manipulate this type of material after the fact. Making your own wire base can allow you to be more creative with your wreath shapes although building a wreath from scratch will be more time consuming.
Step #3 : Cover and add embellishments
Once you have your wreath shaped the way that you like, cover the wreath with whatever material you like. Traditionally, fresh or artificial tree branches are used. However, feel free to use berry strings, garland, poinsettias, etc. to cover the base of your wreath. Once you have covered your base you can leave your wreath very simple by adding a bow or bell or you can choose to add more embellishments such as berry clusters, miniature decorative gifts, fruit, bells, birds, etc. Most craft stores carry all kinds of wreath embellishments around the holiday season. Most of these embellishments even come with wire attached to them so that it is exceptionally easy to attach them to your wreath.
Step #4 : Secure your embellishments to the frame and hang with wreath hanger
Your wreath has to be of sound construction, especially if you plan on subjecting it to the elements by hanging it outside. Turn your wreath around and upside down to make sure that there are no parts that fall off or have become loose. You can use twist ties, floss, or hot glue to add reinforced strength if it is needed. If you would rather not put a nail or hook in your wall or door, there are wreath hangers that you can purchase for just a few dollars. These hangers fit over your door and can easily be removed and packed away with the other Christmas decorations.
Other tips
Christmas wreaths are wonderful crafts for beginners because of their simplicity. Some people enjoy looking through holiday designer magazines to get ideas for their wreaths, and then they recreate their own wreath for a fraction of the price. The possibilities are endless.