A Christmas ornament wreath is one of the most fun and eye-catching ways to decorate for the holiday season. Store bought versions rarely capture the same joy and fullness as a DIY ornament wreath made with a personal touch. This gorgeous ornament wreath recreates the timeless, classic appeal of an ornament wreath in a way that feels polished and distinctive. No matter your Christmas decor style, it is an easy piece to add into the rest of your holiday decor collection.
A Colorful Classic Christmas Ornament Wreath DIY
This ornament wreath can be customized to suit your existing home and Christmas decor, making it a great idea for a wide range of holiday styles. The finished wreath is a stunning focal piece for the holiday entertaining season. It is also an easy DIY, made with simple supplies, a little patience, and some creativity. Shopping for the ornaments and deciding on the color scheme is part of what makes the project so enjoyable. Best of all, it gives you the look of wreaths sold by major retailers at a fraction of the price.
What You’ll Need
Materials
- One set of shatterproof ornaments in a larger size
- One set of smaller shatterproof ornaments
- One set of unique shape ornaments (the ones I used are glass and used sparingly as accents)
- Wire coat hanger
Tools
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Before You Start
Clear a large area so you have enough space to build the wreath out. Sort the ornaments by size and color before you begin so you can balance what you are adding as you build. This step helps ensure the final shape of the wreath feels even and well formed. Most importantly, make sure you have enough ornaments in a variety of sizes, since that is the key to creating a full wreath.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the wire hanger
Start by removing any paper from the wire hanger if it came from the dry cleaner. Untwist the top of the hanger the same way you would unwind a twist tie. Rreshape the wire from a triangular hanger into a circle. It does not need to be perfect. You just want to get it as close to a circular wreath shape as possible before you begin adding ornaments.
Step 2: Thread ornaments onto wire
The base of the wreath is created by threading the large ornaments onto the wire hanger. Slide the wire through the top opening of each ball ornament, alternating colors as you go to create a balanced mix around the wreath. As the ornaments build, they will begin to nest together and form the outer ring. Continue until the wire is filled, then retwist the two wire ends together to close the wreath and hold the ornaments in place on the wire.
Step 3: Layer accent ornaments
If you are using statement ornaments in unique shapes and sizes like I did, decide where you want those placed next. Hot glue these ornaments onto the wreath base you created in step two. Focus on the front of the wreath where they will be the most visible. A small dot of glue is usually enough to secure each piece without making the finish look messy. Too little glue will not hold and too much can cause an ornament to slide or leave visible glue.
Step 4: Add the smaller ornaments
Once the accent ornaments are in place, move on to the smaller ornaments. Hot glue these into place around the wreath to fill out the shape. These can be placed slightly along the inside or even toward the back of the wreath to create a fuller look from the front. As you work, continue rotating your colors so the finished wreath has a balanced mix throughout.
Styling Your Christmas Ornament Wreath
My favorite place to display this pretty wreath is hanging over the mirror in my front entry, where it adds color and presence during the holiday season. It is a standout piece in an entryway and always gets compliments from guests. It also works well on a front door as a focal point, though I would avoid using any glass ornaments if you plan to display it outdoors. A sturdy wreath hanger is also important, especially for a wreath with this much bulk.
Ornament Wreath Variations
There are several ways to customize this wreath based on the look you want or the supplies you have on hand. If the finished wreath has small gaps, tinsel garland or mini ornaments can help fill them in without changing the overall design too much. If you prefer a different base, a styrofoam wreath form and floral wire also works well to construct the wreath. You can also simplify the look with a solid color palette, or finish the wreath with a velvet bow at the top of the wreath or the bottom.
The Finished Ornament Wreath
The result is a festive wreath with the color, shine, and classic appeal that make ornament wreaths such a lasting part of holiday decor. It can be customized to suit your existing home and Christmas decor, which gives it a more natural fit with the rest of your seasonal decorating. It also gives you the look of versions sold by major retailers at a fraction of the price.
A DIY Christmas Wreath With Classic Appeal
Creating your own ornament wreath is a practical way to bring the color, shine, and classic style into your home this holiday season. One of the things I liked most about this project was being able to choose a color mix that worked with the rest of my Christmas decor, rather than trying to make a retail version fit. A DIY Christmas wreath also gives you more control over the ornament mix, size, and final look, which is part of what makes the finished result feel more distinctive. The end result is a beautiful wreath that feels timeless, festive, and well suited to the rest of your holiday decor.