How to Make a Christmas Wreath Out of a Coat Hanger

As the holidays approach, sometimes it's more fun to decorate with down home flare than fancy store bought wreaths and ornaments. Here is a simple wreath that you and your children can make for decorating your home, or for presents to grandparents, caregivers, or family friends without spending a fortune.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Coat Hanger or metal frame
• Fabric
• Scissors
• Ornaments or cheap decorations

1. Take your coat hanger and bend it into the shape of your choosing, or purchase a metal frame. A simple circle is effective, or you can be artistic and shape a Christmas tree, heart or star out of wire. If you prefer a metal frame, arts and crafts store sell a variety of metal bases.

2. Choose a fabric that you like. Glance around your house for old t shirts, table cloths or dish rags. If you can't find something that speaks to you, hit the clearance rack at the fabric or craft store. For Christmas you can choose traditional colors like red and green, or possible blue and white for a Winter Wonderland theme. A yard of fabric will suffice, so you can even shop the clearance racks without fearing you will run out of the pattern of your choice.

3. Look through Christmas decorations in the clearance bin or at the dollar store. Look for Christmas trees, snowflakes, stars or presents that range in size from an inch to several inches. Ideally, look for items that have a hook, or can be tied to thread easily. If you don't mind the jingle, consider lacing bells with ribbon.

4. Have your child, if they are old enough to use fabric scissors, cut piece of fabric into one inch wide strips about six inches long. Incorporating different fabrics, colors and patterns will make for a more decorative wreath.

5. Take your metal base that you have bent or purchased and begin tying the fabric into place. Make sure there is an even amount of fabric on either side of the wire and tie in the middle with a simple knot. Alternate patterns as you make your way around the base.

6. Loop your Christmas ornaments around thread and carefully dangle them into the center of your wreath. When they are hanging at the appropriate length, tie them into place around the metal base.

Tips & Warnings

• As a matter of personal preference, I tie my strips close together to make the wreath appear fuller, however you can tie them more loosely to get a different feel.
• Young children are able to make them as long as they are old enough to tie a knot, and most people treasure gifts made with the love and care of youngsters more than any store bought item.
• Although these are ideal Christmas decorations, you can easily substitute different colors and ornaments for different holidays. Choose a heart shaped base with pink, red, and white fabric for Valentines with heart decorations in the center. For Halloween, shape your metal base into a pumpkin and stick with orange and black patterned fabric. Hang a black cat or ghost in the center.
• Above all, have fun! Crafts and decorating are best when paired with originality, so make some holiday magic.

[Nephilian]

on 10/30/2009 Great way to make a wreath out of a coat hanger, 5*

[FrazzledNanny]

on 1/30/2009 This sounds great. I'd love to see pictures of the process or of the finished product. I'd love to try this! 5*

[JSimpson]

on 1/27/2009 Good idea. Sounds easy and a great way to teach kids a craft. Thanks!

[kagee]

on 1/5/2009 This is a great idea. I would appreciate the photo's too.

[sneedc]

on 12/24/2008 I'd love to see a photo of the process, because I'm better able to follow instructions this way; this is a great way to re-use and recyle stuff around the house!