DIY Holiday Door Swag from Old World Wisconsin
This holiday season, if you are looking to create your own classic holiday door swag, the team at Old World Wisconsin has you covered! One of our favorite things about the holidays at Old World Wisconsin is how inspired we become by the natural beauty of the greenery around us. We love to use this creativeness to DIY our own holiday décor for our annual event: An Old World Christmas. This DIY technique is similar to what Wisconsin immigrants would have done in the late 19th century. They would have used materials from around their home and in the woods to make their holiday decorations.
It is so simple to create a fresh wreath that can be displayed throughout the holiday season (in just 15 minutes)! All you have to do is follow the steps below! You can also find a step by step video of this tutorial on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/oldworldwisconsin.
After you’ve finished this tutorial, be sure to check out our other ideas on Pinterest (@wisconsinhistoricalsociety).
Time to DIY!
Supplies
- Floral Wire
- Wire cutter
- Clippers
- Greenery (of your choice)
- Natural floral products
Step 1: Create greenery base
Place your greenery (of different sizes and fullness) together for your base (think of it as a flat bouquet). Loop the floral wire around the greenery 2-3 times, pulling it tight to keep the greenery in place.
Step 2: Add Additional Greenery to your base
Use a different type of greenery for the second layer of the base (white pine, ponderosa pine, longleaf pine, etc). Take 3-4 sprigs and place on top of the base. Wrap the wire around 2-3 times (weaving in and out of the branches). Be sure not to place the wire too close to the top of the branches (the wire could show after).
Step 3: Add in other natural florals
Add 1-2 branches of other natural florals in the center of your display. Wrap the floral wire around 2-3 times.
Step 5: Add the last layer of pine
Place the last, small layer of pine on top of the display. Wrap the wire around 2-3 times. Turn the display over and cute the wire (leaving approximately 5-6 inches). Weave the excess wire around the branches so that it disappears.
Step 6: Put a wire loop on back for hanging
Cut 8-10 inches of wire (depending on how big of loop you need to hang). Weave the wire through several branches (use more than one in case the branch breaks). Twist the wire around itself a number of times until a loop has formed. Tip: Don’t create the loop at the top of the branches or else the nail and hook will show when you hang it.
Step 7: Add a holiday bow
You can use any color or style ribbon for your wreath. Twist the bow around several times in the back.
Step 8: Hang!
This DIY holiday door swag will extend a warm welcome to visitors all winter long.
This DIY holiday door swag will extend a warm welcome to visitors all winter long!