How to Make a Victorian Kissing Ball

A favorite Victorian wedding and holiday tradition is to hang floral kissing balls in archways, doorways or outdoors. These festive floral arrangements are fairly simple to construct. When hung throughout your holiday home, they add a spark of color and an elegant feel to any room. Artificial poinsettia, ivy, mistletoe, evergreen sprigs and red berries attached to a foam ball and strung from silk ribbon are all that are required. This project can be completed in under an hour and will last for years. They make precious gifts as well.

Things You'll Need

• 12 to 18 silk/artificial floral picks Wire cutters 4-to-8-inch Styrofoam ball Floral pins (approximately 20 to 24) Hot glue gun 1 to 2 hot glue sticks 2-to-3-inch silk ribbon (approximately 1 yard) Spray glitter can (optional) Strand of 10 to 20 mini lights (optional)

Instructions

1. Separate 12 to 18 silk/artificial floral picks (red and/or white poinsettia, ivy, mistletoe, red berries, and/or evergreen sprigs) into individual stems using wire cutters. Trim the floral pieces to no more than 3-to-4-inch stems using wire cutters.

2. Gently press the blunt cut end of the floral stems into the foam ball so that the floral is fairly flush with the edge of the ball. Start with the greens and allow about 2 to 3 inches between each stem.

3. Fill in with poinsettia and berry stems, again placing them about every 2 to 3 inches.

4. Tack each floral stem using florist pins for added stability. One pin should be sufficient for most flowers.

5. Hot glue any floral leaves or petals where gaps occur. Simply apply a pea-sized dab of hot glue on the back side of the petal or leaf and press against another floral so that no foam shows.

6. Cut a section of silk ribbon to approximately 2 feet in length. Cut the end of the ribbon in a "V" shape to prevent the fabric from fraying. Attach the ribbon to the top left and top right side of the ball using one floral pin per side.

7. Use the remaining silk ribbon to tie a bow and attach to the bottom of the ball. Leave trailing ends, but cut the tips of the ribbon in a "V."

8. Apply a coating of spray glitter over the entire kissing ball if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• For an extra touch of glamour, wind a strand of 10 to 20 mini lights (preferably a battery powered strand) around the completed kissing ball.

• Apply spray glitter in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors.