WAIT! before you throw away this years Christmas cards, check this out!
Diy Christmas cards wreath!
Have you considered up-cycling all your recent Christmas cards into your DIY Christmas cards wreath, but for next year?
WHAT FOR?
Why not, store your cards in a safe place, and then you can put them to good use again, with this next project, and display them on your front door?
TRADITION!
For those of us who are old school, and love to keep up with tradition and still send Christmas cards to friends and family, then this is for you!
EASY WAY OUT!
I get it, with all the easy-to-use technology at hand, smartphones, tablets, emails, and social media, one can send Christmas messages, with bells and whistles attached, but it’s not the real deal!
RESPECT FOR GREETING CARDS!
Giving a card is a kind thing to do during the holidays. You can buy or make one, and it adds to the fun. It shows your creativity and can make the person you give it to happy.
BEFORE NEXT CHRISTMAS!
This can be your next art project! No need to wait until the following Christmas, instead you can go ahead and craft it now and then put it into storage with all your other Christmas decorations, ready for next Christmas.
Read on to see what I suggest!
MY INTENTION.
So remember, earlier in this post I suggested storing your Christmas cards.
Whether they are picturesque, cute, or fun, did you keep hold of your Christmas cards and put them in a safe place?
This is my intention, just before we reach our next Christmas, you can create with all your old Christmas cards, a DIY Christmas cards wreath!
Before we move on, let’s dive into the background of the wreath!
WHAT DO CHRISTMAS WREATHS SYMBOLIZE?
The circular shape of a wreath made with evergreen material, symbolizes one with God, with no beginning and no end, and the foliage used which are never ending represent eternal life.
WHAT IS THE BELIEF!
For Christians, the wreath has a special meaning. It would be made of Holly, and berries, hence the leaves would be sharp and pointy, representing the crown made of thorns that Jesus wore on the cross.
The red berries symbolize drops of blood. Also the wreath would represents the start of spring when new plants will grow and the cold winter will fade away, symbolizing a new beginning.
CANDLES.
If there are four candles on a wreath, they would symbolize the Christian concept of Hope, Peace Joy and Love. Each candle would be lite subsequent Sundays that would represent the four weeks leading up to the birth of Christ.
WHY PLACE ON THE DOOR?
A Christmas wreath on the front door welcomes guests and spreads holiday cheer, symbolizing love and life. It’s an old tradition and lucky charm that brings blessings, making our homes inviting and happy.
WREATHS, GREEKS AND ROMANS!
Whilst the tradition of wreaths has been associated with Christmas since the Middle Ages infact, wreaths go back much further to the Roman and Greek times.
ANCIENT ROMANS.
The ancient Romans were given these as crowns when they achieved military victory. These crowns, otherwise wreaths were made from laurel or olive branches.
ANCIENT GREEKS.
As with the Ancient Greeks, the wreaths (crowns), were awarded for, military and bravery feats, for victory in athletics competitions, and musical and poetic contests.
They were awarded crowns made from olive leaves.
Here is a short video going backto the Roman times and what the laurel wreath smybolized.
That was interesting, I bet you learnt something, you didn’t know!
Coming back to current times, we shall be crafting our very own version of a wreath.
So let’s get our resources together, and diy a wreath!
RESOURCES!
A large clock (29cm)
Brown packaging card larger than the clock.
Up to 20 Christmas cards.
A smaller circular tub,
Stapler.
Scissors large/small.
Felt tip pen/pencil.
Double-sided tape.
A long strip of red ribbon.
ARE YOU READY TO CRAFT A WREATH?
*Decoupage, 3D decoupage is a technigue which allows you to add depth and dimensions to your cards. By creating an image, building up layers and raising parts to create a 3D illusion.
That’s it, this project took me just over an hour to make.
The only thing that might prevent a fuller or less finished look, depends on the amount of Christmas cards that you received, or have saved.
If you are out shopping and supermarkets are selling their Christmas cards at a reduced rate, then that would be an opportunity for you to purchase some and hold on to them, for such a project.
SOME USEFUL TIPS!
THE RIM OF THE HOOP.
- Decide how large you would like the wreath to be, then find a large circle and a large brown packaging card that the circle will fit within.
THE INSIDE OF THE HOOP.
- The inside circle should fit nicely but allow a large border for you to staple the leaves on.
- Once you have a hoop, you can arrange all cut-out leaves around it, and staple as you go.
LEAVES.
- When cutting out the leaves, you can have one sample shape and use it to draw around for the rest of the leaves, or simply guess the leaf shape, but cut out images, or pictures within the leaf shape.
STAPLING LEAVES.
- Once you have stapled all the leaves around the hoop, start your second layer overlapping the bottom layer but slightly pushing each leaf back on itself, to make it look 3D, then staple it down.
FINAL TOUCH.
- Find a longish ribbon and use it to tie the wreath to the door knocker outside, your front door. Whatever colour you have, then tie it into a bow.
Hey there, when you click on links in this post and you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission that l can use towards resources (other than throw-outs) for project making within my website😀
If you are looking for more super wreath ideas and kits for your kids to keep them busy, then Baker Ross is just the ticket!
Baker Ross stock different seasonal wreaths. From Christmas to Easter, woodland, Rattan style, and love heart wreaths, themed wreaths, some of which come with their very own embellishments and parts to finalize the wreath of your choice.
Anything other resources that you may require are also available for you to choose from!
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HERE ARE A FEW TO FEAST YOUR EYES ON!
Alternatively, If you are looking for constructing sets, where your kids can work out from a 2D (dimensional) format and transform it into a 3D creation, then look no further…..
How about challenging your kids with these super magnetic contruction sets from Magformers!
This set consists of 26 pieces, 8 triangles, and 18 squares. This is a great starter set for kids of all ages.
With a 360 magnetic force, kids will have lots of fun composing nets, and challenging themselves into constructing 3d shapes.
Starting flat, when pulled together these magnetic enabling brain development through play in hand, they will form super shapes that would WOW any child!
What a super way for kids to have fun, in fulfilling their discoveries from net to a 3D shape, and because of the magnetic force all they would do is pull it up into shape, how easy is that!
TO CONCLUDE!
In this post, I show you how you can whip together, in just over one hour an easy DIY Christmas cards wreath!
WHAT YOU NEED!
Simply hold on to your old Christmas cards, don’t chuck them, as they will be the main resource to make a super easy wreath!
THE METHOD.
Cut out leaf shapes from your cards, these will be stapled on to create the floral section, then when you overlap more leaves the wreath will take shape and look quite effective!
RESOURCES!
So hold on to some largish packaging card, grab a stapler, scissors, and some ribbon and you are good to go!
LET’S PLAN!
Furthermore, if you have missed a chance to make one this year, then there is always next Christmas, and you can make one now and put it away for then!
Wow! This is such a lively page brimming over with ideas! It inspires me to get my fingers busy creating. Magformers are a great idea and the wreath creation is something I’ve just started, thanks to you.
I think kids will really enjoy this site.
Thanks for putting it all together.
Success!
Lindi
Hi Lindi, I am super glad you enjoyed my post, and has helped you get your crafting juices going!
It’s such a simple and easy way to put together a Christmas wreath, and you are putting your old Christmas cards to use again in a fun and creative way!
I am hoping that alot more kids, and parents are making use of their throw-outs and recycling or up-cycling them,
as this is the way to go!
Magformers are an brilliant way for kids to explore and experiment in a super cool way, it’s almost like magic!
Thanks for your excellent comment and here’s wishing you a very Happy New Year!?
So Happy Crafting!
Julia.?
Oh, this Christmas card wreath tutorial is adorable! As a newbie in the art world, I’m always on the lookout for fun and easy projects, and this seems perfect. The step-by-step guide with clear pictures makes it less intimidating for someone like me who’s just starting. I love how the materials needed are simple and easily accessible, and the finished wreath looks so festive and creative.
I appreciate how the post breaks down the process, making it seem achievable even for someone with limited artistic skills. The idea of repurposing old Christmas cards is not only eco-friendly but also adds a sentimental touch to the project.
The tips on selecting the right cards and cutting them into different shapes for variety are helpful insights that I wouldn’t have thought of on my own. Plus, the color combinations suggested are so festive – it really adds a professional touch to the final product.
I can’t wait to give this a try and see if I can create something as lovely as the one in the pictures. Thanks for sharing this fun and festive Christmas craft idea! 🙂
All the best,
David
Hi David, I always question, what to do with old Christmas cards, and having shown in a previous post what to make with your cards, this time, funnily enough I was looking for a Christmas reef, and felt it was my duty to make one, but with what? I do love to save alot of artifact, cards, odds and sods, especially when it comes to crafting, and I was searching the web for some ideas and solutions. I came across different ways of utilizing old Christmas cards! It’s not a new idea, even so I tweak it a bit and put my take on it! So here it is, it’s quick, and simple and the best part is you are up-cycling your old Christmas cards! I had some saved from last Christmas, so I was ready to make my wreath. In this instance now Christmas is over, DON’T THROW YOUR OLD CARD AWAY!, but save them for such a project, or go ahead with your kids, friends or family and have fun making a Christmas wreath, but for next Christmas!
When this Christmas wreath is finished it really looks great on the front door!
So give it a go, and once again thanks for your super comments David!
Happy Crafting!
Julia.?
Hi Julia,
Hey Julia, that Christmas card wreath post is a total game-changer! I’m all about repurposing my holiday loot, and this is next-level genius. Plus, who can resist a bit of sentimental crafting? I can just picture my grandma’s festive penguin card nestled amongst the leaves, reminding me of her warm hugs every time I walk past the door. Thanks for sparking my creativity (and for saving me from another year of card-hoarding guilt!). Love your site!
Hey Chas, so glad this craft has inspired you to simply re-use your old Christmas cards, and in a very creative way!
It’s also comforting to think that most of these Christmas cards have sentimental value behind them, reminding us of special people in our lives, and to use them in such a way ignitng those comforting feelings, inhand bringing back those nostalgic memories!
I knew all the cards I have been saving would come in handy one day!
Kick off the start of this New Year, with some super crafting and prepare your Christmas wreath or something similar ready for next Christmas!
Thanks for stopping by, and giving such a welcomed comment!
Happy Crafting!
Julia.