How to Make a Playful Recycled Christmas Wreath

Are you a family looking for a fun holiday project, a DIY crafter eager for a new challenge, or an eco-conscious individual hoping to make your celebrations more sustainable? This guide is for you! In this article, you’ll learn how to make a recycled Christmas wreath from household materials—a project suitable for all skill levels and perfect for anyone who wants to add a personal, eco-friendly touch to their holiday decor.

A recycled Christmas wreath is a festive decoration made by reusing materials that would otherwise be discarded, helping to cut landfill waste and conserve resources. This project helps reduce waste and encourages sustainable holiday traditions, making it a meaningful way to celebrate the season.

Whether you’re crafting with kids, friends, or on your own, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, tips, and creative ideas to help you transform everyday items into a beautiful, one-of-a-kind wreath.

What is a Recycled Christmas Wreath?

A recycled Christmas wreath is a creative and sustainable holiday decoration made by repurposing items like cardboard, packaging, ribbons, and other household materials. By using what you already have, you help reduce landfill waste and conserve resources, all while making something unique and festive.

What You’ll Need

Before heading to the craft store, check your recycling bin—you might already have most of what you need! Save interesting packaging, ribbons, or other materials throughout the year for future recycled Christmas wreath projects.

Materials:

• 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
• Wrapping paper and ribbons (these can be reused to create festive wreaths)
• A little scrap of ribbon, about a foot long
• Classic white PVA glue (or use natural twine, jute, or cotton string as sustainable bindings instead of plastic-coated wire or glue guns)
• Holly leaf template (or sketch your own—mine usually looks like a spiky potato and that’s fine)
• Scissors

Choosing the Right Wreath Ring

Every great Christmas wreath starts with a solid base. You don’t have to buy anything fancy—look around and you’ll probably find something perfect to recycle. Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose:

Base Material	Pros	Cons	Best For
Cardboard	Easy to cut, widely available, free	Less durable if exposed to moisture	Indoor, lightweight wreaths
Wire Hanger	Sturdy, can be shaped easily	May require pliers, less kid-friendly	Rustic or classic wreaths
Embroidery Hoop	Sturdy, smooth, reusable	May need to purchase	Modern, chunky wreaths

The shape and size are up to you—think about where you want to hang your wreath and how bold you want it to be. For inspiration, try searching “diy western christmas decor” or “country cowboy christmas decorations” for creative ideas.

Creating a Theme for the Wreath

Before you start cutting and gluing, decide on a theme or color scheme for your Christmas wreath. Do you love classic red and green, a frosty winter wonderland, or something bold and unexpected? Maybe you want a coastal or cowboy Christmas vibe. The best part about making your own wreath is that you get to decide!

• Search for “cowboy christmas ideas” or “diy cowboy christmas crafts” for unique inspiration.
• Mix and match colors and styles to reflect your personality.
• Gather your materials, pick a theme, and get ready to create a wreath as fun and colorful as the season itself.

Step One: Build Your Wreath Base

Making the Cardboard Ring

1. Grab a dinner plate and place it onto your cardboard.
2. Trace around the plate for a big circle.
3. Place a small bowl in the middle, trace again.
4. Cut out the giant cardboard donut shape.
5. Make sure to securely connect the ends of the ring to form a complete circle.

This plain ring is your launchpad for all the holiday fun ahead.

Alternative Base Ideas

• Use old wire hangers bent into shape.
• Try embroidery hoops for a sturdy base.
• Repurpose metal springs or tin cans (cut coil springs to 4 inches long for best results).

Step Two: Snip Your Holly Leaves

Cutting Leaves

1. Create a leaf template (or freehand it—imperfections add charm).
2. Cut out leaves from any packaging that looks cheerful.
3. Raid the wrapping paper pile, nab colorful cereal boxes, and use shiny wrappers.

Using Magazine Pages

• Cut colorful magazine pages into strips.
• Form strips into petal shapes to add extra color to your wreath.

Adding Tin Can Accents

• Cut decorative shapes from tin cans.
• Attach them as unique accents for extra flair.

Let your kids help—their “creative” cutting always adds character. 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 even pieces of old birthday cards for extra personality.

Working with Different Textures

One of the joys of making a DIY Christmas wreath is playing with all sorts of textures and materials. Don’t be afraid to mix things up:

• Combine smooth wire with rough burlap.
• Pair shiny wrappers with soft ribbons.
• Add sparkle with sequins and glitter.

Hot glue is great for attaching fabric scraps, buttons, or bits of greenery. For heavier pieces, use a stronger glue like E6000. The more textures you add, the more interesting and eye-catching your wreath will be!

Step Three: Time to Glue

Arranging and Attaching Leaves

1. Lay Out the Leaves: Fan them around your cardboard ring. Try different layouts—rainbow twirls, random clusters, your call.
2. Stick ‘Em On: When you’re happy, add hot glue to the backs and stick them down. Make sure each leaf or decoration is held securely in place as the glue dries.
3. Gloss It Up: Spread a little glue over the top at the end for shine and sturdiness. Let it sit somewhere out of reach from curious cats and sticky fingers.

Tip: Hot glue can also be used to attach vintage or mismatched ornaments for a unique look.

Step Four: Add Your Own Spin

Embellishing Your Wreath

• Glue on colorful bottle caps in bunches—they look like holly berries with a twist.
• Add buttons, beads, or leftover bows.
• Use old neckties for a creative, colorful option.
• Try everyday items like old fabrics, magazine pages, cardboard rolls, metal hangers, or plastic bottle caps.

Using Durable Bases

• Consider durable recycled fabrics or natural woods for a base that can be reused year after year.

Hanging Your Wreath

1. Flip the wreath over.
2. Make a ribbon loop and glue it on the back.
3. Wait for it to dry.
4. Find a spot and let your handiwork shine.

Finishing Touches

Adding Color and Sparkle

Now comes the part where your Christmas wreath really comes to life! Add a pop of color, a bit of sparkle, or a touch of greenery to make your wreath stand out.

• Tie on a big bow.
• Tuck in sprigs of holly or eucalyptus.
• Glue on a few ornaments for extra flair.

Fluffing and Adjusting

Take your time to fluff out the leaves and adjust everything until it looks just right. When you’re happy with your creation, step back and admire your handiwork—you’ve put in the effort, and it shows!

Displaying Your Creation

Creative Display Ideas

Your recycled Christmas wreath is ready to shine! The front door is a classic spot, but don’t be afraid to get creative:

• Hang your wreath on a wall or above the mantel.
• Use it as a centerpiece on your holiday table.
• Display it in a window for extra cheer.

Sharing Your Wreath

• Snap a photo and post it on social media.
• Email a picture to friends and family to spread holiday cheer.
• Search for “christmas decorations” or “wreath ring” for more display ideas.

Wherever you choose to display your wreath, you can be proud knowing you’ve created something special, sustainable, and full of holiday spirit!

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). Sometimes, people—family, friends, or guests—bring over their own bits and pieces to add, making it even more special.

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. Making a recycled Christmas wreath helps reduce waste by reusing materials that might otherwise end up in the trash, and it’s a small but meaningful way to lessen our environmental impact.

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. Creating wreaths from recycled materials is a fun and creative DIY project, and making your own from things you already have at home can cost up to 70% less than buying a mass-produced version. If you ever want proof that the humble and homemade can outshine store-bought, this will do the trick.

If you decide to forage for wreath materials, remember to do so responsibly to avoid harming local ecosystems, or consider buying from local farmers as a sustainable alternative. Zero waste Christmas wreaths can even be made entirely from foraged materials. And don’t forget—the public benefits when we share tips and educate others about sustainable crafting and responsible sourcing. Give it a whirl and see what your recycling bin can dream up for you.