How to Make an Evergreen Banner

A Christmas banner is similar to a wreath except that the greenery is shaped into a line instead of a circle, and a banner hangs horizontally above a mantel or on a wall. This evergreen banner will adorn your dining room for the holidays and the scent of freshly cut greens will fill your home with the smells of Christmas.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Evergreens Trimmings
• Gold Braid
• Metallic Bows
• Christmas Tree Ornaments
• Garden Shears
• Metallic Garlands
• Paddle Wire
• metallic, gold-mesh wired ribbons

Making the Banner's Frame

1. Purchase evergreen branches or harvest some from your garden. Holly, fir, pine, redwood and cedar all work well as long as the branches are 16 to 24 inches long.
2. Select two of the strongest branches and place them end to end, overlapping them by 6 inches.
3. Wire the ends together with floral wire, also known as paddle wire. This will be the framework of the banner.
4. Select a few shorter branches and wire the ends of the stems to the center point of the frame, with the tips of the branches facing out toward either end of the banner.
5. Continue adding greenery until the banner looks full and lush.
6. Turn the banner over and select the two strongest branches. String wire between them so that you can hang your banner when it's complete. Use several thicknesses of wire for extra support.

Decorating the Banner

7. Twine metallic garland, gold-colored beads or gold braid through the foliage.
8. Attach gold ball ornaments to the banner by stringing a piece of wire through the loop on the balls and attaching them to the banner. Tuck the ornaments into the greens.
9. Tie a large metallic bow to the center of the banner, looping the streamers through the evergreen.
10. Add a string of tiny Christmas lights to the banner if you desire.
11. Hang your finished piece with a strong picture hook over the fireplace or above the holiday buffet table.

Tips & Warnings

• For a bow-shaped banner, arrange the two foundation branches so that both are arching downward. For an s-shaped banner, secure the branches so that one is curving upward, the other curving downward.
• Twigs or bare branches can be added to the evergreen foliage to achieve a designer look. Try painting the bare branches with gold or silver spray paint if desired.