DIY Christmas Swag

14 Materials
$50.00
1 Hour
Easy

Have you ever wanted wondered how to make a Christmas swag for your front door, a lantern, your mailbox, or your staircase newel?

I’ve got you covered!

This year, I wanted to add some Christmas swags with more natrual elements to my outdoor decor.

I found nothing retail, so I decdied to DIY the Christmas swags. I thought I was going to hang them on the front door.

But, after I made them, I changed my mind on where I wanted to hang them.

I tried them out on the iron gates that lead to our courtyard.

Now, I am conflicted.

Do I make another Christmas swag for our mailbox?

Maybea a Christmas lantern swag for the kitchen?

Definitely some Christmas swags for the front door!

Let’s not forget my staircase newel posts!


Supplies for Christmas Swag

Note: double the materials if making two.

3 Rustic Ornaments (I chose bells)

3 small terra cotta pots with a hole in the bottom ( I used 3″ pots)

A bow

3 large pinecones

3 large wired Christmas floral pics ( I chose greenery with pinecones)


Tools Needed

Glue Gun

Glue Sticks

Scissors

Scissors

Twine

16 gauge wire

Gold gilding wax or Rub n Buff

White latex paint

2 paint brushes

Disposable lint free cloth

Heavy duty wire or zip ties to hang the swag


Directions for Putting the Swag Together

  1. First, wire the three large floral greenery picks together using a piece of 16 gauge wire.You are trying to create a swag shape as the base. You will have a center piece and the two piece on the sidess will be staggered lower.
  2. I then wiped gold gilding wax onto the pinecones in the greenery. This is optional.
  3. To remove some of the orange in the terra cotta pots, I dried brushed white latex paint onto each pot and then wiped off the excess. This created a white washed effect.
  4. After the paint dried, using my finger, I applied gold gilding wax to the edges of each pot.
  5. While the paint on the pots is drying, cut 3 pieces of twine approximatley 96 inches in length.
  6. Tie a knot on to one end of the twine. To do this, you will need tie approximately 6 loops onto intself to create a large knot.
  7. String one piece of twine through the hole in the bottom of the terra cotta pot. Pull the twine through until the knot is at the bottom of the pot.
  8. Then, hot glue the knot on the outside of the pot to keep it from going all the way through the hole. Allow the pot to dry and then hot glue the knot on the inside of the pot.
  9. For the pinecones, Cut an additional 3 pieces of twine approximatley 96 inches long and make the same type of knot as you did for the pots.
  10. Place a knot on the flat end of the large pinecone, and, glue the knot in place.
  11. You can also apply gold gilding wax to the pine cones. Set the pinecones aside to allow the glue to dry.
  12. For the ornaments, Cut three piece of twine, approximately 96 inches long.
  13. Run this piece of twine through the loop in the ornament.
  14. Rub guilding wax on the ornaments in random places.
  15. To put the swag together, first, pick up the pinecones, holding them by the twine.
  16. Create different hanging lengths for the pinecones by pulling on the twine to shorten one and lengthen another. This way they will not hang in a straight line.
  17. Tie the twine in a double knot at the top of the center floral pick.
  18. Repeat this process with the ornaments.
  19. Repeat this process once more with the terra cotta pots.
  20. Attach a bow with wire to the top of the swag to conceal the wires.


Styling Your Christmas Swag

  1. Now you will fluff the swag.
  2. Arrange all of the elements so that they are not hanging on top of one another.
  3. And pull the greenery forward to mix in with all of your elements.
Resources for this project:
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Jennifer Williams
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2 of 27 comments
  • Ani Ani on Dec 03, 2023

    Great idea Jan,.. I agree, red berries definitely will make it better, adding a needed pop of color. And perhaps not so much long gold ribbon in front so it doesn’t take away from the greenery or overwhelm. Just a thought too.. adding “smaller” Golden terracotta pots added to the swag wreath, would make it interesting!

  • Jan Herman Jan Herman on Dec 03, 2023

    It is a beautiful natural decoration for sure. Great job!

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