DIY Giant Christmas Wreath: How I Made Mine on a Budget

This is your sign to make a giant wreath. A store-bought wreath this size costs a fortune — so I built mine from cheap materials and stuff I already had lying around. It is big, it is bold, and it looks incredible hanging on the house. Here is exactly how I did it, step by step.

Ryan holding a giant Christmas wreath with a big red bow

What You Will Need

PEX tubing for the form (I used irrigation tubing because it was cheaper, but honestly, use PEX — it is sturdier!)
Insulation foam board, cut into pieces
Zip ties
3 x 50 ft non-wired, unlit garland
Dollar Tree wire garland
Insulation bubble wrap (for the bow)
Red permanent vinyl — or red fabric if you have it (you could probably paint it, too!)
Deco mesh
Glitter sticker paper and ribbon (for trimming the bow edges)
Hot glue
2 strands of lights
Ornaments
Rope, for hanging

Step 1: Make the Form

Start with two big rings of tubing laid out on the floor. I used irrigation tubing because it was cheaper — but if I did it again, I would use PEX. It is sturdier, and this thing gets heavy once the garland goes on.

Two large tubing rings on the floor forming the wreath base

Step 2: Stiffen the Form

To stiffen up the form, I zip tied a bunch of pieces of insulation foam around it. This gives the garland something to grip and keeps the whole thing from flopping around.

Insulation foam pieces zip tied around the wreath form

Step 3: Wrap the Garland

I used 3 x 50 ft of non-wired, unlit garland and wrapped it all around the form until it was completely covered.

Wreath form fully wrapped in green garland

Step 4: Add Dimension

Then I added cut-up pieces of Dollar Tree wire garland to add some dimension and fill in the gaps. This is the trick that makes it look full instead of flat.

Hand holding a piece of Dollar Tree wire garland against the wreath

Step 5: Build the Bow

For the bow, I used insulation bubble wrap I already had. I made the bow in all separate pieces — two loops, two tails, and a middle piece — instead of trying to shape one big bow.

Roll of insulation bubble wrap used for the bow

Bow piece made from insulation bubble wrap

Step 6: Cover the Bow in Red

I did not have red fabric, so I used red permanent vinyl to cover the bow pieces. If you do not have vinyl either, you could probably paint it!

Bow piece covered in red permanent vinyl

Step 7: Dress Up the Bow

The bow pieces were plain, so I added deco mesh on top with hot glue. Then I trimmed the edges with glitter sticker paper and ribbon for a finished look.

Bow piece trimmed with glitter sticker paper and ribbon

Step 8: Attach the Bow

I zip tied the bow pieces to the wreath, then added a middle piece to cover the middle of the bow after. One tip: the middle part I folded into a triangle because it was too big and bulky otherwise.

Close-up of the bow middle folded into a triangle

Step 9: Lights and Ornaments

I added 2 strands of lights, then some ornaments. That is when it really starts to look like Christmas.

Finished wreath with bow and two strands of lights

Step 10: Hang It

It is attached to my fireplace by rope over the top and around the middle. One honest note: it is more of an oval now, but I heard fishing line in the middle would keep it from sagging — so if you want a perfect circle, add that before you hang it.

Giant wreath with red bow and ornaments hanging on the fireplace

Shop This Project

Want to make your own? Here is my Giant Wreath shopping list with everything I used, plus my DIY supplies and Shop my Home for more of the pieces in our house.

If you make one, I would love to see how yours turns out.

— Ryan