Christmas wreath Archives - DIY Show Off ™ - DIY Decorating and Home Improvement BlogDIY Show Off ™

This year with the real life home tour, I wanted to decorate the patio French doors with some fresh greenery to welcome the ‘holiday home tourists’ first thing before even walking in the door.I’ve added a few fresh greenery sprigs from our own mix of pine trees in the backyard to fake garlands, wreaths and centerpieces in the past (note: holly is scratchy business…ouch!). So having a selection of wreaths and garlands delivered right to my door from Lynch Creek Farm was such a great idea…less work, less stress AND gorgeous wreaths and garland. My order arrived right on time.They’re so full and smell so good! These are a great gift idea too!Here is the selection from Lynch Creek Wreaths that I started with:

Mixed Garland – A lush full garland combining the fragrant scent of fresh cut Western red and incense cedar with sweet-scented white pine.
Mixed Holly Wreaths – a mix or aromatic noble fir, incense cedar and juniper with accents of holly, pinecones and red velveteen bow. I swapped out the bow for a sheer gold one.
Traditional Wreaths with designer snowbound bows – overflowing with noble fir, juniper and incense cedar, topped off with ponderosa pine cones and your option of a designer hand-tied bow.

Don’t you just love love the teeny-tiny twinkle lights? I also added an assortment of mixed metallic shatter proof ornaments, snowflakes, etc., some I had on hand, a few purchased from a dollar store or on sale.I attached the garland to the door trim using ‘s’ hooks. Wreaths are hung using over-the-door wreath hangers because they’re on the heavy side. The mixed metallic ornament clusters are secured using floral wire. Isn’t the result so beautiful, lush and festive? Trust me, it smells as good as it looks too! I’ll be back to share another pretty detail I’m adding to doors for Christmas. Can’t wait to show you!

*Disclaimer: I received the fresh holiday greenery shown above from Lynch Creek Wreaths in exchange for my review. As always: opinion, experience, photos are my own. I only share items I truly love and think you’ll love too!

Patricia’s Christmas Tree

Quick, easy DIY Christmas ribbon wreath

I made this DIY ribbon wreath a few years ago and I still use it today. It’s a great last minute idea {you may even have supplies on hand} and as I unpacked it to decorate, I thought I’d share it again. Here are my pictures from that time, I think 2009 {more 2012 pictures below!}… Time: About 1 hour Materials:

stiff or wired ribbon (I used about 35 feet, thick wired ribbon works best and will save you time)
cardboard
coordinating decorative pick/bow

Tools:

scissors
Xacto-knife,

Instructions & tips: Trace a dinner plate (or your preferred circle for wreath size) on a piece of cardboard with an Xacto knife. You can also trace and cut out with scissors, but that’s a little more difficult. Trace a smaller sized salad plate inside the bigger one:

You should have a cardboard circle like this. I also saved the inside circle and made another wreath from it (below).

Now, cut ribbon into pieces. I cut about 33 – 12″ strips. You can use any width/length of ribbon. I used 2 1/2 in. Tip: The wider the ribbon, the less work covering the cardboard. I also used wired ribbon so that I could fluff and manipulate the pieces better. Next, you don’t have to notch the ends of your ribbon, but I think it give it more of a wreath-y look. Tip: Don’t be a perfectionist! Layer ends and cut several notches at once to save time! Now the fun part! Tie the ribbon around the cardboard ring, knots on the outer edge. I did 1 tie not a double knot since my ribbon is wired and stayed. Continue this step until the entire ring is covered. Note: There will still be cardboard showing but we’ll address that in the next step. Tip: For a fuller look, use more ribbon and slide pieces close together. Next, start another layer filling in the bare spots. This time tie the ribbons in between the first layer to cover up the cardboard. I knotted this layer and place the knot in between the outer and inner edge of the cardboard ring, facing you. Almost done! Fluff and manipulate the wire ribbon to get a nice shape and to cover all of the cardboard wreath. Add a bow or the coordinating happy stuff you’ve chosen like holly, pinecones, Christmas ornaments, candy, etc. Here’s an easy to make bow:

Choose a different color wired ribbon. Wrap around 3-4 times into a loop and pinch together in the center.

Tie center with a twist tie. Use a large piece of ribbon to tie around the center (hiding the twist tie) and cut desired length of bow “tails”. Fluff! TA-DA! A beautiful handmade ribbon wreath created with love by your own two hands! Easy! Here are more pictures of it this year decorating the landing at the top of the stairs…