The wreath hanging on your front door is there to welcome your visitors over Christmas and entice them in with the promise of more Christmas treats. This cheap and cheerful version is made from inexpensive household items (and leftover decorations that you can’t fit on your tree).

Wreath making gives you and your family a great excuse to all sit down and indulge in some Christmas fun before the big day. Here’s how you make one…

Step 1 – Coat hanger base

For the simple-to-make wreath base, take a large wire coat hanger and bend it into a circular shape. You can use a plain wire hangar or a plastic coated one. Leave the hook on as it comes in handy when hanging your wreath on your doorknocker or letterbox!

Step 2 – Newspaper sausages

Take a double page piece of newspaper (broadsheet papers work best) and scrunch it up into a sausage shape. Secure it around one half of the hangar with sticky tape. Do the same on the other side with another sheet of paper until the hook is the only wire bit you can see.

Step 3 – Tinsel time

Take one or two pieces of Christmas tree tinsel – thick metallic ropes are ideal. Sticky tape the end of a tinsel rope to the base of the hook and wind it round the coat hanger ring so no newspaper is visible underneath. If you run out of tinsel, tape a second piece down at the point your first piece ran out, wrap it around until it meets the hook and tape it in place. Snip off any excess tinsel.

Step 4 – Decoration

This is the really fun part. Decorate your wreath with whatever spare Christmas decorations you have – use baubles, fake pine cones, coloured beads or any leftover trinkets from your tree. For bauble bunches, wrap thread around the bases of three baubles and tie them in place evenly around your wreath.

Step 5 – Finish and hang

Finish your wreath off with a bow or a ribbon at the base of your hook and for a centre piece, tie a star, fairy or angel so it hangs down into the loop. If you like, wrap some tinsel around your hook and secure it in place with sticky tape. Now it’s ready to hang on your front door with pride.

Do you have a great idea for home made decorations? Let us know on our Facebook page!