While it certainly seems like the emphasis is on buying at the holidays, it doesn’t have to be that way. After all, the focus of the holidays is family, and nothing brings us together like a DIY project. From homemade cookies to handmade gifts, previous generations knew that the secret to the holidays was keeping it simple–and not buying a bunch of stuff that will end up in the landfill — including holiday wreaths.

Keep the holidays handmade and decorate your home with these simple DIY holiday wreaths. Most likely you have some of these materials laying around your house already, or can easily source them from thrift stores, yard sales, or the recycling bin.

Repurposed DIY Holiday Wreath Ideas

1. Tinsel Garland Wreath

While tinsel garland is genuinely horrible stuff to buy new, the chances are that you have some taking up space in your holiday decoration storage bin. Or you might come across it at the thrift store. Wrap it around a wreath frame of your choice.

2. Christmas Ball Wreath

Somehow those of us who celebrate Christmas seem to end with more ball tree ornaments than we can use. Repurpose them by gluing them to a wreath frame for a festive front door wreath.

3. Wrapping Paper Wreath

I recently cleaned out the attic and discovered an old box of holiday wrapping paper. While it wasn’t ideal for use as gift wrap, it would have been perfect for making a decoupaged wrapping paper wreath!

4. Toilet Paper Tube Wreath

Believe it or not, toilet paper tubes are great fodder for DIYing up handmade goodies. Cut toilet paper tubes into sections (the thickness depends on your taste preference). Glue them together to form a wreath. Decorate with toilet paper snowflakes (tutorial found here).

5. Mason Jar Lid Wreath

Anyone who uses mason jars knows that the lids rust and are no longer suitable for food storage. They are ideal for repurposing, though. Firstly, paint them, decorate them with washi tape, cover them in fabric, or what have you. Then, string them on a large piece of ribbon for some colorful repurposing holiday cheer.

6. Cookie Cutter Wreath

By the same token, those old cookie cutters you were going to take to the thrift store can also be repurposed into a festive DIY holiday wreath.

7. Christmas Card Wreath

Have you ever wondered what to do with holiday cards after the holidays? Save them and turn them into next year’s holiday wreath, of course. The heavy cardstock makes cards the perfect material for cutting out shapes like poinsettias, mistletoe, trees and more. Old cookie cutters make the perfect templates too!

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Celebrate spring and show off your crafty side with these clever DIY wreath ideas.

No matter whether you live in Florida or Maine, spring has sprung! The first day of spring has come and gone and, while it still may be a little chilly in your neck of the woods, it is beyond time to display your spring front door wreath. And if you don’t have one already, we have some wonderfully simple DIY wreath ideas that are perfectly plucky enough for spring.

6 Sensational Spring DIY Wreath Ideas

1.Yarn-Wrapped DIY Wreath – Turn that yarn stash into a work of art without all the fuss and bother of actually having to knit something. Instead, wrap those perfect spring-themed yarns around one of those foam wreath rings. Decorate with felt butterflies, flowers, and other accoutrements.

2. No-Sew Fabric Wreath – Old sheets, curtains, shirts, and skirts can be repurposed into an easy no sew fabric wreath. Simply cut up your textiles and tie them onto a metal wreath form for an easy DIY wreath project. The fabric scraps will look like willowy flower petals. Here’s a link to a tutorial.

3. Burlap Wreath – Burlap can be used to make a simple background on which to affix faux flowers and other spring-themed additions. As in the previous suggestion, simply use a metal wreath form and burlap ribbon to make your base. See a handy how-to here.

4. Cupcake Liner Wreath – Do you have unused cupcakes liners from parties past in your cupboards? Turn them into a fabulous DIY wreath. It is seriously simple to do. If you can cut and pin, you can complete this project. Tie on a little ribbon to finish the look. You can find the nitty gritty details here.

5. Ribbon Wreath – This is another ridiculously easy project for us lazy crafty peeps. Wrap a foam wreath with ribbon. That’s it. You’re done. Maybe add some other embellishments if you are feeling like a little more work.

6. Basket Wreath – We love this idea from photo stylist Karin Lidbeck-Brent for a basket wreath. It calls for using a small vegetable basket like farmers use at the farmers market into a basket wreath. Follow the easy inspiration here.

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Image: WildRidgeDesign

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I’m not much of a holiday decorator. I don’t spend two days unwrapping little chotskies out of bubble wrap (you know, the same ones I spent two days re-wrapping last year) and setting them up all over my home. I don’t hang hundreds of blinking lights from my roof or station large plastic figures on my front lawn. My holidays are a tad less elaborate and adorned. And I like it that way.

First of all, I hate packing and unpacking of any kind. I’d rather stick needles in my eyes. And I don’t like excess stuff sitting around, especially theme-oriented, color coordinated stuff.

Having said that, autumn is upon us and with the changing weather and falling leaves comes a feeling of nostalgia and celebration. But not to worry – there are plenty of simple, subtle ways to express the approach of the holidays without going over the top.

I’ve gathered an idea or two for garnishing your home – from tabletop to mantle to martini. Things that aren’t always exclusive to the holidays but that celebrate the seasons nonetheless. Here’s hoping you’ll see something that tickles your yearning for decoration, in the simplest most sensible sense.

On the top of my list but the farthest from reality, is this platinum and diamond encrusted skull (image above, For The Love of God). It’s the creation of British artist Damien Hirst, who has a morbid fascination with death and dying, and it sold for $100 million dollars in August 2007. No it isn’t simple or sensible. It’s glamorous and shocking, but I couldn’t resist.

Speaking of glamor, I’m a glutton for black. It goes with everything and makes everything look good. Just check out Leigha’s post last week for more details about bringing on the black.

I’m loving these touches of black with the slightest twist of orange or cream or candied apple (images above). And dried anything, from twigs to flowers, placed in a simple vase, turns an ordinary tabletop into interesting, without going gauche (image below).

All things metallic are hip right now, so use your imagination with gold paint and old buttons or beads. Preferably not all at once, just dabbing a little here and there does the trick.

So the table is set, but what’s the point of a party without a flavored martini?

Pumpkin Pie Martini (image above)

1/2 oz Sylk Cream Liqueur
2 oz Vanilla Vodka
1/2 oz Pumpkin Liqueur (or substitute pumpkin spice syrup)
1 tsp (or more) Whipped Cream
1 Cinnamon Stick for garnish

Pour the cream liqueur and vanilla vodka into a shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Add the pumpkin liqueur or syrup and shake again. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with the whipped cream, and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Serves 1.

Of course, you can’t have autumn without pumpkins, although I fly on the shy side with these gourd-like squashes. Carving with the kids is great fun, but when it comes to decor for your home, let’s leave the knives in the kitchen.

I’m needing a few of these velvet critters, so soft and snugly (image above). Or try your hand and paint them in plaid or polka dot; winter white or graphic delight (images below).

Draw a black raven or bats, use a doily as a stencil or monogram your initials (images below)….

…clothe them in old black stockings or leftover lace.

Let’s move on to flowers and wreaths; mantles and cakes.

Like I’ve said, crafts and such just aren’t my thing – I seek out simple and easy. So these orange calla lilies (image above) do just the trick. I’m loving how they’re arranged leaning to one side – asymmetrical is where it’s at.

I often have an aversion to wreaths – they are so easily overdone and embellished with too much garnish and frill. But these two gems (images above and below) capture the pure and crisp of the changing seasons and upcoming holiday cheer. You might even find one on my front door this year.

I’m crazy about these cheesecloth covered glass vases (images below), in all heights and sizes. Look closely and you’ll notice the black medical stitches down one side. Fill them with dried flowers or twigs and you’ve got a subtle way to share the Halloween gore without going too far. Add a spider if you’re so inclined.

Last but not least, these cakes made the cut. I’m not a pastry chef, nor am I competent in the ways of the kitchen, but I had to include them for the mere fact that they say Halloween at its most simple and sophisticated. Bon appetit and happy holidays.

Images: Better Homes and Gardens, Molly Findlay, this is glamorous, Delia Creates, Shelter Pop, Wise Craft, coco + kelley, green wedding shoes, style me pretty, Michelle Rago Ltd., Pinterest, Martha Stewart, Simply Grove, Country Living, Fina Art & Paper

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