A recycled Christmas wreath is one of those projects that starts off as a quick idea and then takes on a life of its own—like a snowball rolling down a hill. The other morning, I found myself camped out at my usual table, and my eyes caught this adorable wreath perched in their window. It was all pieced together with leftover paper bags. I kept thinking, “Wait, why aren’t we doing this at home with all our grocery packaging?” Not only would it clear out my mess of boxes and wrappers, but it sounded perfect for a lazy afternoon with the kids. Bonus points for keeping their little hands busy with scissors.
Recycled Christmas Wreath: What You’ll Need
Before you run to the craft store, peek in your recycling bin. The odds are, you already have just about everything.
Here’s your starter pack:
- Big piece of cardboard (think cereal box, not pizza box…unless you’re bold)
- Assorted food packaging (cereal boxes, egg cartons, candy wrappers)
- A handful of lids from milk or juice cartons
- A little scrap of ribbon, about a foot long
- The classic white PVA glue
- Holly leaf template (or sketch your own—mine usually looks like a spiky potato and that’s fine)
- Scissors
Step One: Build Your Wreath Base
Time for some kitchen scavenger hunting.
- Grab a dinner plate and slap it onto your cardboard.
- Trace around for a big circle.
- Place a small bowl right in the middle, trace again.
- You’ll have a giant cardboard donut—don’t eat it—just cut it out.
This plain ring is your launchpad for all the holiday fun ahead.
Step Two: Snip Your Holly Leaves
Here’s the magic part. Get comfy, put on your favorite Christmas movie, and settle in. These leaves will multiply, trust me.
- Whip up a leaf template (or freehand it, imperfections are charm here).
- Cut out leaves from any and all packaging that looks remotely cheerful.
- Raid the wrapping paper pile, nab colorful cereal boxes, say yes to shiny wrappers.
- My last batch had everything from cartoon whales to reindeer faces. The more the merrier.
- Let your kids have at it, too—their “creative” cutting always makes me laugh.
- Don’t stress if the leaves are wonky. That’s the point.
Aim for a nice, big, messy stack.
Pro Tip
Throw in scraps of fabric, pages from old comics, or pretty much anything you find. Once, I used a chunk of an old birthday card and it ended up stealing the show.
Step Three: Time to Glue
Here’s where your recycled christmas wreath starts to look less like a pile of trash and more like holiday magic.
- Lay Out the Leaves: Fan them around your cardboard ring. Try all sorts of layouts—rainbow twirls, random clusters, your call.
- Stick ’Em On: When you’re happy, pop some glue on the backs and stick them down. Don’t sweat a little cardboard showing through—you can always sneak in extra leaves later.
- Gloss It Up: Spread a little glue over the top at the end. Makes it all shiny and a bit sturdier too. Let it sit somewhere out of reach from curious cats and sticky fingers.
Step Four: Add Your Own Spin
Now, the finishing touches. Here’s where things get even more fun.
- I glued on colorful bottle caps in tiny bunches—they look just like holly berries, with a goofy twist.
- Buttons, beads, or leftover bows work too. Let your stash guide you.
- If your wreath starts looking like it belongs in a candy shop, you’re doing it right.
To hang your superstar:
- Flip the wreath over.
- Make a ribbon loop and glue it on the back.
- Wait for it to dry (the hardest part, honestly).
- Find a spot and let your handiwork shine.
The Story Behind the Wreath
We hung ours right in the hallway. Every time someone visits, the first thing they say is, “Where did you get that?” It’s my favorite moment. I just grin and shout, “We made it!” The kids love telling everyone what parts they cut (and which leaves got “accidentally” stuck to the cat).
When the holiday buzz winds down, I stash it away for next year or sometimes tear it apart to start fresh. Nothing lasts forever, and that’s half the fun.
One last thing—recycled Christmas wreaths are more than just décor. They’re little time capsules of family jokes and wild creativity, built from milk tops and cereal boxes. If you ever want proof that the humble and homemade can outshine store-bought, this will do the trick. Give it a whirl and see what your recycling bin can dream up for you.
