Create an inviting atmosphere for guests by adding touches of festive flair to your front door and mantelpiece. Here are 6 simple and stylish Christmas DIY projects to try this December
Resene ‘Ayers Rock’
1. Dried flower wreath
An arid, desert-inspired wreath creates a visual feast at your front door.
You’ll need:
- Dried flowers and foliage
- Embroidery hoop
- Florists wire
How to make:
- Create little bunches of the dried flowers and foliage, tieing them together with florists wire
- Then, working from the top, tie these bunches to the embroidery hoop with the florists wire (make sure the bunches overlap to create a full, lush wreath)
2. Citrus garland
Cut and dry lemons during winter, while they are in abundance. They will last like this for a few months and can be used in an array of festive situations – on the tree, threaded onto ribbon on presents, or hung on twine and used as a garland.
How to dry lemon slices:
- Slice lemons evenly, 2.5mm-5mm thick, and discard pips.
- Arrange slices in a single layer on baking paper-lined baking sheets.
- Bake at your oven’s lowest possible temperature until dry (about 4-5 hours).
- For even drying, rotate the baking sheets every hour or two.
Resene ‘Blanched Pink’
3. Mānuka wreath
For a twist on the traditional sprig of mistletoe, tie a bundle of flowering mānuka with a plum-coloured ribbon and hang it on your front door.
4. Felt flower wreath
A spring-inspired floral wreath made from felt will last all year round. This is the perfect craft project to do in front of Christmas movies.
You’ll need:
- Wool felt in the colours you want your flowers to be
- Green wool felt for the leaves
- Black wool felt for the pistil of the anemone
- Florists wire
- Hot glue gun
- Embroidery hoop
How to make a felt anemone:
- Create your own petal template (size will vary depending on how big you want your flowers to be), and cut out 8-9 petals for each anemone
- Cut out a small square of the black felt, place a spot of hot glue in the middle of the square and a circle of hot glue around the edges, then pinch these edges together around a piece of florists wire (as if you’re covering a lollipop) to make a little round felt ball (this will be the centre of the pistil)
- Cut a strip of the black felt out and make narrow cuts along it lengthways to create a fringe. Hot glue along the bottom edge of this and wrap it around the felt ball (this will be anthers around your pistil)
- Once that has dried, hot glue your petals to the black pistil
How to make felt leaves:
- Cut leaves out in the shape you want
- Hot glue to a long piece of florists wire
Assembling the wreath:
- Make sure your felt flowers and leaves are attached to a long piece of florists wire
- Place the flowers and leaves where you want them to sit on the embroidery hoop and then wrap the florists wire tightly around the hoop to secure them
Resene ‘Shadowy Blue’
5. Geometric door garland
A homemade garland of paper baubles and silky tassels in jewel tones is a fun and festive way to welcome guests.
You’ll need:
- Paper baubles
- Tassels
- Cotton rope
How to make:
- Attach the paper baubles and silky tassels to your length of rope
- Knot the two ends of the rope
- Hang on your front door
6. Bauble cluster
If you love the geometric garland, repeat this motif inside with a graphic art print in similar colours and an artful jumble of baubles on the mantel.
How to assemble:
- Pile baubles high on top of your mantelpiece for a fully festive feel.
- Pull colours from surrounding art or interiors and mix up the textures.
- Be sure to secure a few with Blu-Tack so you don’t end up with a bauble avalanche. •
Styling by: Sam van Kan. Photography by: Wendy Fenwick.
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