Christmas Wreaths: 14 Pool Noodle, Egg Carton and Pipe Cleaner Ideas You Can Make This Weekend

Christmas wreaths do not have to cost fifty dollars at the store to make your front door feel special. Some of the prettiest ones going around online right now start with a pool noodle, an egg carton or a handful of pipe cleaners. There is something so warm about hanging a wreath you made with your own hands, and the kids will proudly point it out to every visitor. These 14 ideas use cheap, simple supplies, and most take one evening or less. Some are cozy and rustic, some are bright and playful, and a few look so polished nobody will guess they started in the recycling bin. Pick your favorite and make it this weekend..

Velvet Pool Noodle Christmas Wreaths

This is the idea that has crafters buzzing, with one pool noodle wreath post on Instagram collecting more than 685,000 likes. A cheap pool noodle bends into a perfect ring, and when you wrap it in velvet, linen or flannel strips, it looks like a designer piece. Burgundy velvet with fresh greenery and a big bow is pure holiday magic on a white door. Use battery fairy lights if you want a little glow. Once you see how easy it is, you will want one for every door..

You will need: 1 pool noodle, duct tape, 2 yards of velvet fabric cut in strips, a hot glue gun (adult only), greenery sprigs, ribbon for a bow, battery fairy lights (optional)

How to make it: 1. Bend the pool noodle into a circle and tape the ends together firmly. 2. Wrap fabric strips around the ring, overlapping slightly, and glue the ends. 3. Tuck greenery and berries into one side. 4. Add a big bow at the top and hang it with ribbon.

Egg Carton Flower Wreath

Do not toss those cardboard egg cartons. Each little cup can be cut, painted and shaped into a flower, and a ring of them makes a cheerful wreath that kids love to help with. Paint them red, white and soft pink for a sweet vintage look, then add yellow centers with a cotton swab. It is a great rainy afternoon project and costs almost nothing. How many egg cartons are hiding in your recycling right now?

You will need: 2 or 3 cardboard egg cartons, scissors, craft paint, brushes, a cardboard ring cut from a box, glue, ribbon

How to make it: 1. Cut the egg cups apart and trim the edges into petals. 2. Paint the flowers and let them dry. 3. Glue them close together on a cardboard ring. 4. Add a few painted leaves and a ribbon bow.

Fluffy Pipe Cleaner Christmas Wreaths

Pipe cleaner Christmas wreaths are small, fuzzy and perfect for little hands. Twist green pipe cleaners around a wire ring until it looks full and fluffy, then add tiny red pom-poms as berries. Kids can make a mini version to hang on a bedroom door or a tree. It is a sweet first craft for young children with a grown up nearby, since the wire ends can be poky. Would your kids want one for every doorknob?

You will need: 20 to 30 green pipe cleaners, a small metal or wire ring, red mini pom-poms, craft glue, a red pipe cleaner for the bow

How to make it: 1. Wrap each green pipe cleaner tightly around the ring. 2. Bend the ends inward so no sharp tips stick out. 3. Glue on red pom-pom berries. 4. Twist a red pipe cleaner into a bow and attach it.

Hanger Ornament Wreath

A plain wire coat hanger and a bag of shatterproof ornaments make one of the shiniest wreaths you will ever see. Bend the hanger into a circle, slide the ornaments on in mixed sizes and colors, then close it up and add a bow over the hook. It looks like it came from a fancy shop. Choose plastic ornaments so it is safe on a busy door. Which colors would match your front door best?

You will need: 1 wire coat hanger, 40 to 60 shatterproof ball ornaments in mixed sizes, pliers (adult only), hot glue (adult only), wide ribbon

How to make it: 1. An adult untwists the hanger and bends it into a circle. 2. Glue the ornament caps on so they stay put. 3. Thread the ornaments on, mixing big and small. 4. Twist the hanger closed and tie a bow over the hook.

Felt Ball Wreath

Felt ball wreaths have a soft Scandinavian look that feels cozy and modern at the same time. Glue little wool felt balls close together on a foam ring in red, white, mint and blush. The texture is so cute that people always want to touch it. It also works year round if you change the colors. Pink and gold for Valentine’s Day, anyone?

You will need: A 10 inch foam ring, 150 to 200 wool felt balls, a hot glue gun (adult only), ribbon for hanging

How to make it: 1. Wrap the foam ring with ribbon or paint it white. 2. Start at the inside edge and glue felt balls close together. 3. Work outward until the front and sides are covered. 4. Add a ribbon loop at the top.

Paper Snowflake Christmas Wreaths

Cutting paper snowflakes is a classic winter memory, and they make beautiful Christmas wreaths. Fold and cut a pile of white and gold paper snowflakes in different sizes, then layer them on a cardboard ring. Every flake is one of a kind, just like the real ones. This is a lovely family project for a snowy afternoon with hot cocoa. Who in your family cuts the fanciest snowflakes?

You will need: White and metallic paper, scissors, a cardboard ring, glue stick or glue dots, ribbon

How to make it: 1. Fold square paper into a triangle and fold again twice. 2. Cut small shapes along the edges and unfold. 3. Layer big and small snowflakes around the ring with glue. 4. Add a ribbon loop for hanging.

Evergreen and Pinecone Wreath

A walk in the park can supply most of this classic wreath. Gather fallen pinecones and a few evergreen trimmings, then wire them onto a ring with a big red bow. It smells like the holidays and looks timeless on any door. Many tree lots will give you their trimmings for free if you ask. Will you take the kids on a pinecone hunt this weekend?

You will need: A wire wreath frame, evergreen trimmings, 8 to 12 pinecones, florist wire, garden snips, a red ribbon

How to make it: 1. Cut evergreen pieces about 6 inches long. 2. Wire small bundles onto the frame, overlapping as you go. 3. Wrap wire around the base of each pinecone and attach them. 4. Finish with a big red bow.

Embroidery Hoop Wreath

For a simple modern look, try an embroidery hoop wreath. You leave most of the wooden hoop bare and add a cluster of greenery, berries and a small ribbon on one side. It takes about 15 minutes and costs a few dollars. Make three in different sizes and hang them in a row for a stylish wall display. Would you hang yours on a door, a window or a mirror?

You will need: A wooden embroidery hoop (inner ring), faux eucalyptus and pine sprigs, faux berries, florist wire, ribbon

How to make it: 1. Separate the hoop and use the inner ring. 2. Wire greenery sprigs onto one lower side. 3. Add berries in the center of the cluster. 4. Tie a small bow and a ribbon loop for hanging.

Wood Bead Christmas Wreaths

Wood bead Christmas wreaths bring a warm farmhouse feel to kitchens and cabinet doors. String natural wooden beads onto a wire ring, then add a sprig of pine and a plaid bow at the bottom. The beads look great plain or painted in soft colors. They are light enough to hang on a cabinet knob with a ribbon. Do you have a spot in your kitchen that needs a little holiday cheer? If you love quick projects like this, our viral Christmas DIYs are full of more ideas.

You will need: A 10 inch metal ring, 40 to 60 large wooden beads, pliers, a pine sprig, plaid ribbon

How to make it: 1. Open the ring at one point with pliers. 2. Slide the wooden beads on until the ring is full. 3. Close the ring tightly. 4. Wire on a pine sprig and tie a plaid bow at the bottom.

Ribbon Loop Wreath

Ribbon loop wreaths look plush and luxurious, but they are just loops of ribbon pinned into a foam ring. Velvet ribbon in red and green gives a rich, classic feel, while satin or plaid feels bright and fun. Cut the ribbon into equal pieces, fold each into a loop and push it in with a straight pin. The more loops, the fuller it looks. Which ribbon colors would you choose?

You will need: A foam wreath ring, 3 or 4 spools of ribbon, scissors, straight pins, a ribbon for hanging

How to make it: 1. Cut ribbon into 6 inch pieces. 2. Fold each piece into a loop. 3. Pin the loops into the ring close together. 4. Keep going until the ring is fully covered.

Cozy Sweater Christmas Wreaths

An old sweater that is too worn to wear can become one of the coziest Christmas wreaths on the street. Cut it into wide strips and wrap them around a foam ring, then decorate with tiny knit mittens, a pine sprig or wooden buttons. The cable knit texture looks like a warm hug for your door. It is a sweet way to keep a loved sweater in the family. Do you have one hiding in the closet?

You will need: An old knit sweater, a foam wreath ring, scissors, hot glue (adult only), mini mittens or buttons, a pine sprig

How to make it: 1. Cut the sweater into strips about 4 inches wide. 2. Wrap them around the ring, overlapping slightly. 3. Glue the ends in the back. 4. Decorate one side with mittens and greenery.

Cinnamon Stick and Orange Wreath

This one looks lovely and smells even better. Tie bundles of cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices and pinecones onto a grapevine or evergreen ring. The warm colors feel cozy against a white or green door. Dry orange slices in a low oven a few days ahead, with an adult in charge. Hang it indoors near the kitchen to enjoy the spicy scent all season. Would you hang this one inside or on the door?

You will need: A grapevine or evergreen ring, cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, small pinecones, twine, hot glue (adult only)

How to make it: 1. An adult dries thin orange slices in a low oven. 2. Tie cinnamon sticks into small bundles with twine. 3. Glue or tie the bundles, slices and pinecones around the ring. 4. Add a twine loop for hanging.

Big Velvet Bow Makeover

Already have a plain store-bought wreath? The fastest upgrade is a big, floppy velvet bow. A generous bow with long tails makes even a simple wreath look full and expensive. Add a few pinecones and you are done in ten minutes. It is the perfect trick when you are short on time but still want your door to say welcome. How long would it take you to try this tonight?

You will need: A plain wreath, 2 to 3 yards of wide velvet ribbon, florist wire, scissors, a few pinecones

How to make it: 1. Make two big loops with the ribbon and pinch the center. 2. Wrap wire around the middle to hold the bow. 3. Cut the tails at an angle. 4. Wire the bow and pinecones onto the wreath.

Painted Clothespin Wreath

A pack of wooden clothespins turns into a colorful wreath in an afternoon. Paint them red, white and green, then clip them all the way around a metal ring. Kids can do most of the painting and clipping themselves. Add a few jingle bells and a plaid bow, and you have a cheerful wreath with a fun handmade look. It also makes a great place to clip holiday cards. What would you clip onto yours?

You will need: 40 to 50 wooden clothespins, a metal ring, craft paint, brushes, jingle bells, plaid ribbon

How to make it: 1. Paint the clothespins in three colors and let them dry. 2. Clip them onto the metal ring, alternating colors. 3. Push them close together so the ring is hidden. 4. Add bells and a big bow at the top.