If you're looking for a fun afternoon project, you should definitely learn how to make a wreath with christmas balls using just a few simple supplies from the craft store. It's one of those projects that looks incredibly high-end—like something you'd find at a fancy boutique for eighty bucks—but in reality, you can pull it together for a fraction of that cost. Plus, it's a great way to use up those extra ornaments sitting at the bottom of your storage bins that didn't quite make the cut for the tree this year.
Why this project is a holiday winner
Let's be honest: holiday decorating can get expensive fast. Between the lights, the tree, and the fancy table runners, your wallet takes a hit. That's why I love this specific DIY. You get a massive visual impact without the massive price tag. Whether you want something monochromatic and chic or a wild explosion of rainbow colors, the process is pretty much the same.
The best part? You don't need to be a professional crafter to get this right. If you can use a hot glue gun or bend a wire hanger, you're basically overqualified. It's also a perfect activity to do while watching a cheesy holiday movie with a mug of cocoa nearby.
Gathering your supplies
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's talk about what you'll actually need. You don't want to be halfway through and realize you've run out of glue or ornaments.
- Christmas balls: Obviously, the star of the show. I recommend getting a variety of sizes. Large, medium, and those tiny filler ones are key to making the wreath look professional.
- A wreath form: You have two main choices here. A wire coat hanger (the old-school budget way) or a foam wreath ring from the craft store.
- A hot glue gun: And plenty of extra glue sticks. Trust me, you'll use more than you think.
- Ribbon: For hanging and adding a little extra flair.
- Ornaments caps: If you're using the glue method, make sure the little silver or gold caps on the ornaments are glued on tight first, otherwise the ball might pop off and leave the cap stuck to the wreath!
Choosing your color palette
Don't just grab a random bag of ornaments and hope for the best. To make a wreath with christmas balls that actually looks "designer," pick a theme. Maybe you want a classic "Winter Wonderland" look with silver, white, and light blue. Or perhaps a "Traditional" vibe with deep reds, greens, and golds. I personally love a "Mixed Metal" look with copper, champagne, and silver. Whatever you choose, just make sure you have enough of each color to distribute them evenly.
Method one: The wire hanger trick
This is the most "hack-style" way to do it, and it's surprisingly effective. It gives the wreath a slightly more organic, clustered look.
First, take a standard wire hanger and pull it into a circular shape. You don't need it to be a perfect circle, but try to get the kinks out. Untwist the top where the hook is using a pair of pliers. This is where you'll be threading the ornaments.
Start sliding the ornaments onto the wire through their little hanging loops. This is where you want to mix up the sizes. Slide on a big one, then a small one, then a medium one. Keep pushing them around the wire until it's packed tight. You want them to be squished together so they stand up at different angles. If they're too loose, they'll all just sag to the bottom and look sad.
Once you've filled the entire wire, use your pliers to twist the ends back together. You can use the original hook of the hanger to hang it on your door, or wrap a big, pretty ribbon around that spot to hide the wire.
Method two: The foam ring and glue gun
If you want a wreath that feels a bit more "sturdy" and has a very specific shape, the foam ring is your best friend. This method takes a bit more time but gives you total control over where every single ball goes.
Prepping the base
Before you start gluing, it's a good idea to wrap your foam ring in some tinsel garland or ribbon that matches your ornament colors. Why? Because sometimes there are tiny gaps between the ornaments, and you'd rather see a bit of sparkly green tinsel than a bright white foam ring peeking through.
The gluing process
Start with your largest ornaments. Glue them around the inner and outer edges of the foam ring first to establish the "bulk" of the wreath. Apply a healthy glob of hot glue to the side of the ornament and hold it against the foam for a few seconds until it sets.
Once the "foundation" is done, start filling in the top and the gaps with your medium ornaments. Finally, use the tiny ornaments to fill in any remaining holes. This is what creates that lush, high-end texture. Don't be afraid to glue ornaments to other ornaments, not just to the foam. You're essentially building a mountain of baubles.
Pro tips for a better-looking wreath
Since we're trying to make a wreath with christmas balls that actually lasts, here are a few things I've learned the hard way:
- Remove the caps (if gluing): If you are using the glue method, I actually suggest pulling the little metal caps off the ornaments and gluing the "neck" of the ball directly into the foam. Or, at the very least, glue the cap to the ball first. There's nothing worse than hearing a clink and seeing a red ball rolling across the floor while the cap is still glued to your wreath.
- Watch the temperature: If you're using a high-heat glue gun, be careful! Some plastic ornaments can actually melt a little bit if the glue is screaming hot. Low-temp guns work just fine for this.
- Check for "bald spots": Once you think you're finished, hang the wreath up on a wall and step back five feet. You'll see gaps from a distance that you didn't see when you were hovering over it on the table.
- Use shatterproof balls: Unless you're planning to hang this in a spot where it will never be touched, avoid real glass ornaments. One gust of wind or a door slamming too hard, and you've got a glittering disaster on your porch.
Personalizing your creation
Once you've mastered how to make a wreath with christmas balls, you don't have to stop at just the ornaments. You can tuck in some sprigs of faux eucalyptus, some pinecones, or even a string of battery-operated LED lights.
A big velvet bow at the bottom (or the top!) is the classic way to finish it off. If you're feeling extra, you can even spray the whole thing with a bit of "canned snow" or glitter spray, though that can get a bit messy.
Storing your wreath for next year
Because these wreaths are basically made of air and plastic, they are quite fragile. You can't just throw them in a plastic bin with the rest of the decorations and hope for the best. I recommend storing it in a dedicated wreath box or even just hanging it on a hook in a guest closet where it won't get bumped. If a ball does fall off during the off-season, just keep your glue gun handy for a quick five-second repair next December.
Wrapping it up
Making your own holiday decor is just satisfying. Every time you walk through your front door and see that shiny, colorful wreath, you get a little boost of "I made that" pride. It's a low-stress, high-reward craft that really brings the holiday spirit into your home without needing a massive budget or expert skills.
So, grab a few boxes of ornaments, heat up that glue gun, and get to work. Once you see how easy it is to make a wreath with christmas balls, you might find yourself making one for every room in the house—or at least for a few lucky friends! Happy crafting and happy holidays!