Turning Peel And Stick Bows Into A Christmas Wreath

For all those that aren’t watching the clock, you’ll want to join in on this craft immediately.

I have such fond memories of my sweet mama visiting my classroom in elementary school, and bringing the teacher all kinds of supplies for fun and kid friendly holiday crafts. From creating a Christmas wreath made from a wire coat hanger and trash bags cut into strips, to using the lids from cans of hair spray and making small arrangements swimming in Plaster of Paris.

When I was down in Georgia helping to move my parents to a smaller place, I came across my trash bag wreath that I made in 2nd grade. It was a bit tattered, but most of the candy canes were still intact and the bow made from felt still had a little life left. I wanted to bring it home with me, but Mama wasn’t ready to part with it. She still hangs it every year.

Sure does my heart good.

As I started decorating for Christmas this year, that wreath popped into my head. Nowadays trash bags come in black and white, no signs of green ones. Though my wreath was made from white bags, I thought of cutting the bazillion strips it takes to make the wreath, and I squashed that idea right away. Instead, I decided to make a similar one, but this time using those store bought peel and stick gift bows that come in a bag.

Here are the supplies needed to make this wreath:

• Peel and stick bows (I used a total of 48 bows on my wreath)
• 16-inch styrofoam wreath form
• wide red ribbon
• Pearl bead garland
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

I wanted the bows to look more like flowers, so I cut each loop on each bow, and spread them out a little with my hands. Time consuming, yes, but I did it in front of the TV, so I didn’t mind.

From there, take a 16-inch styrofoam wreath form and tightly wrap a red ribbon around, hot gluing the ends in place.

Start hot-gluing the bows in place. I wanted the wreath to look more on the full side, so I placed my bows close together. Like I mentioned above, I used 48 bows for my wreath. Play around with spacing.

Before filling up the wreath, make a loop with ribbon and hot glue the ends together so the wreath has a way to hang. Then, complete the wreath.

Cut beads off garland and attach sporadically, hot gluing to secure.

Though this wreath is a little jazzier than my trash bag one from years ago, I’m hoping this one will hang in our home at Christmas time for years to come.