Have You Ever Decorated With a Christmas Wreath This Way?
When I shared my Christmas decorating this year, I mentioned how I’ve been leaning into the joy of simpler décor, pieces that carry a little nostalgia, a little sparkle, and absolutely no pressure to overhaul the entire house. That shift has felt wonderful, but as I walked through the foyer the other day, one lonely corner kept whispering that it needed just a little something. Not a shopping trip… just a spark of creativity.
So I did what any determined “use-what-you-have” decorator does: I headed straight for my attic stash and let inspiration take the lead. What came together was one of those delightfully easy, semi-homemade Christmas ideas that looks charmingly intentional but takes almost no time or tools at all.
I always like to keep a basket by the side of the sideboard in the foyer filled with seasonal flowers or foliage. I change the baskets I use in the spot every so often also.
For some reason I just wasn’t feeling just greenery in the basket this year.
I switched out the rectangular basket with one of my round floor baskets, a wreath, my collection of silver ornaments and red velvet ribbon.
I created a nestled Christmas wreath planter. It took 10 minutes. First I crumpled up brown bags I had to fill the basket all the way to the top. You could use lots of plastic bags, bubble wrap, foam, old towels… whatever you have. I used both paper and plastic bags. You just want to make sure to fill it to the top.
Next I placed a wreath on top.
Then added my silver ornaments to fill the center of the wreath.
A few of the ornaments are heavy, so I made sure that the fill bags were packed into the basket so these ornaments wouldn’t sink.
A red velvet bow finished it off.
10 minutes and done, plus it was made with items I already had which always makes me feel good.
More Semi-Homemade Christmas Decorations
On the sideboard in the foyer is where Ed adds his decorating touch to our decor.
If you have been reading my blog for a long time, you may remember the piece of modern art I made after finding a large piece of driftwood in the lake.
A few years ago Ed put a Santa hat on it and his sunglasses. Since then it has become part of our Christmas decor every year.
In front of it I placed a white ceramic platter, filled it with sugared cranberries, a small wreath from Hobby Lobby, a candle and red bow. Simple and done!
There’s something so satisfying about stepping back and realizing that a few familiar pieces, rearranged with fresh eyes, can bring a new look to them. My nestled ornaments in a wreath basket, paired with Ed’s annual Santa-hat moment on the driftwood art, proves again how Christmas decorating doesn’t need to be elaborate to feel magical.
A handful of ornaments, a ribbon, a candle… and suddenly the foyer glows as warmly as any childhood memory. And that’s really the heart of it this year, letting simple touches tell the story. If you try a semi-homemade idea of your own, I hope it brings the same easy cheer to your home, too.
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Love all your ideas!!! Simple, festive, and really pretty!!!
Wonderful idea,
“thinking outside the box”
Just shows, that we don’t have to rush out to buy something new, everytime an idea comes to mind.
A Girl, after my own thinking!! So much more exciting to make from already owned stuff!!!
Environmentally friendly too.
Enjoy this Holiday Season.
Anne
Beautiful, elegant and simplistic! ❤️
Thanks, great idea…already have these items. I shall try it. Love them all.
Good morning Diane
Love your creation and the driftwood Santa too!
Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎄
Thanks f your great tips and Ideas..Happy Holidays f You and Family.from Ursula
Ah, yeup. That’s EXACTLY what that little space needed. Well done, D.
So exquisitely simple and elegant. The perfect touch for that space!
Great idea! Looks wonderful!
As always, I’m inspired! This is our first Christmas in this house so I don’t have my usual ideas about how to decorate and I don’t have too much energy. Looking around the house, why is there a pile of junk mail on the table in the foyer instead of something seasonal and cheery?! Thanks to your ideas I know exactly what I want to do and it won’t take much time. Thank you for sharing your creativity!
OMG Ed’s contribution is the icing on the Christmas cake! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Hi Theresa – I will tell Ed you liked his contribution. :-) Merry Christmas to your family as well.
I laughed out loud at your first photo! Eco-conscious brown paper bag arrangement! But I love this idea and will take one of my baskets and follow your lead. It would look great by a fireplace, too. Terrific post, friend! (Always recycle too).
Hi Elle – I love finding functional and decorative ways to recycle brown paper bags. Making them into plastic pot covers and even placemats. They are getting harder to come by, but Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods still use them. Thanks for reading my posts. XO
Diane, I have had the pleasure of following you for many years. I love your creativity, real home approach, and inspiration. Thank you for the enjoyment of your blog. Merry Christmas
Bren
Hi Bren – Thank you so much for the nice comment and for following me for many years. It is so nice to hear. XO I hope you have the Merriest Christmas and holiday season.
That’s what makes a house a home!
I agree…:-)
Lovely, I’ve used wreaths in similar ways. Easy, adds a finishing touch. Love the Santa….Happy Holidays….
Thanks Nancy – Happy Holidays
You always make such perfect bows!! Love all of the decor – simple, elegant & festive! Your husband is creative too! (& funny) 😊
Thank you Jeanne – Ed is very proud of his Santa in the foyer. :-)
Diane, I love this! Low effort with impactful result! Just what I need this time of year. & I love Ed’s contribution—looks like something my dad would have done!;-)
Hi Merri Jo – I like your saying… Low effort with impactful results” Going to remember it. Ed is very proud of his decorating contribution. :-) I hope you have a very happy holiday season.