This Willy Wonka Christmas Ball Wreath is a fun and sparkly way to welcome the Christmas holidays. Easy to make too. Just hot glue Christmas ornaments of various colors, shapes and sizes onto a styrofoam wreath form. Add a bow and hang to dispense instant Christmas cheer.
I know, I know. Why am I posting a Christmas Ball Wreath tutorial in January? “I must be off my marbles.” (Name that movie. Gotta squeeze in George Bailey when I can. Yep, we watched It’s a Wonderful Life over the holidays.)
Anyway, the holidays are over and here I am posting a Christmas wreath. I haven’t posted a craft here in over a year. But I made this fun Christmas ball wreath back in December and wanted to tell you all about it and make sure it gets posted for next Christmas.
I ran out of time to write it up last month. All that baking. And knowing me, I’ll forget about posting it later. So instead of being late, humor me and imagine I’m three hundred plus days early. 🙂
So why Willy Wonka? It just so happened that my wreath making this past December coincided with my Charlie (10) reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at school. I’ve always loved the vivid imagery and colors in that book. Not to mention the fantastic character Willy Wonka that Roald Dahl dreamed up. So when I saw some candy stripe ornaments at my local craft store, I knew this time around I’d make a whimsical Willy Wonka Christmas Ball Wreath.
Years ago when we still lived in the south, I made a Martha Stewart Christmas Ball Wreath. She called it a Gaudy Wreath. And I can see why. These wreaths made from shiny Christmas ball ornaments might be considered gaudy by some.
But hang it on a front door in the spotlight at night, and it’s gorgeous. Cute and festive in the daytime too. Shiny, sparkly, and very fun. If you’re someone who likes a little sparkle and whimsy, this is an easy and fun wreath to make.
Keep in mind if you use glass ornaments you’ll need to hang it inside or in a protected area outside. (Mine is hanging on my front door, behind the glass storm door.)
Over the years my first gaudy wreath didn’t age so well. A few of the balls broke during our move to NH. I replaced those, and then some of the ornaments faded through the years and it was just time to replace the whole thing.
Come to think of it, now might be a good time to get some of these ornaments on clearance. (If there are any left!)
Materials:
- Styrofoam wreath form – whatever size you choose (I made a very large wreath using an 18″ wreath form. The wreath turned out about 24″ in diameter once the ornament balls were glued on.)
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Various sizes of plastic or glass Christmas ball ornaments ( I used about 100 various sized glass ball ornaments for my large 24″ wreath.)
- Optional: ribbon (and wire for attaching the ribbon)
- rope or twine for hanging
Instructions:
- Place your wreath form flat on top of a thickly newspaper-lined table or counter.
- Using your hot glue gun, glue Christmas ball ornaments to the form.
- Please be very careful. It’s very easy to burn your fingers with this particular project.
- Start by glueing ornament balls around the inside of the wreath form, and then along the outer edge of the form. Use bigger balls first.
- Fill in between with ornaments until all the foam wreath form is covered. Glue bigger balls behind and save the smaller ones to fill in out front. (You may need to glue some ornaments onto other ornaments, filling in as you run out of space on the form.)
- Keep in mind how many inches you need from front to back if you’re sandwiching it in between a front door with a storm door over it like mine.
- Optional: Make a bow with your ribbon and attach it with wire.
- Tie a loose loop of rope or twine around the wreath and hang your wreath on a nail or suction cup. I recommend a sturdy nail in case the suction cup comes loose. It would be a very sad day if your glass ornament wreath came crashing down.
- This is a fragile wreath, so be sure to package and store very carefully off-season. Use lots of bubble wrap and keep in a sturdy box. Each season check carefully before hanging for loose ornaments and repair as needed.
I hope you enjoy making this Willy Wonka Christmas Ball Wreath. It’s a great piece to add to your Christmas decorating tradition. FYI, I estimate mine cost about $50 to make total because I got all the ornaments 50% off at my local craft store (Michael’s) and used a 40% off coupon on the styrofoam wreath form.
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Carrie says
I remember the first ornament wreath you made. Both are so beautiful and bright!
Allie says
There aren’t too many people in my life anymore who remember the first one. Thanks, and happy New Year sweet Carrie.
Amie says
I love it! “Instead of thinking I’m late….Imagine I am 300 plus days early!!”
Oh, I am so going to use that line!!
Allie says
Too funny. Here’s another line for you. When someone asks you a personal question that’s none of their business, reply back “Why do you ask?” 🙂 Happy New Year Amie!
Tracy says
Well….my middle name is Sparkle!! Ha! This wreath is gorgeous! Love the name too. What a great idea to buy the ornaments now on sale and make it now or be ready when next December rolls in. You are so smart!?
Allie says
Yep, you’re a sparkly girl for sure Tracy. Thank you, and so glad you like this wreath! One of my neighbors went out and got enough ornaments at Kmart today for 80% off! Happy for her.
Linda says
We need a little Christmas all year long! Bright and shiny. Thanks for brightening my January!
Wishes for tasty dishes,
Linda
Aunt Pinkie says
So pretty#
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
I like to think you are being “three hundred plus days early” with your Christmas wreath – aaaaaannnnd you’d be hard pressed to find discounted ornaments prior to December 25th so am giving you a double thumbs up, Allie! I’m so glad you posted this wreath – it is truly gorgeous! And makes for one delightfully sparkly site on a door, for sure! If I was your agent, I’d try and talk you into opening up an Etsy shop and selling these on there…just saying… 😉
I hope you are staying warm and I hope and pray 2017 is off to a wonderful start for ya! xoxo
Allie says
Ooo…an agent. Do you do that on the side Shashi? 😉 Because I sure could use someone to organize my life and make me moola too!!! Ha ha. I’m not staying as warm as I’d like, but I have my Uggs on and a scarf (in the house) and it’s snowing outside. Again. xo
Ellen says
This wreath is absolutely stunning! So fun!
I will have to make one! Thanks for sharing!!
Aunt Margie says
What a colorful, whimsical wreath! Looks like a perfect project for an icy, snowy day of which, it sounds, you’ve had a bunch! Happy New Year, Allie. I love you!
Allie says
Thank you Aunt Margie. Yes, lots of the white stuff. In fact, it’s snowing right now. Love you much! XO
Susie Mandel says
Love this! I actually have an old (and somewhat tired looking) ornament wreath I bought after Christmas years ago at Bath and Body Works, of all places. I don’t think they sell those anymore, but I’ve gotten great use out of it. This came at a good time, because now I know how to replace it. 🙂
Allie says
Interesting they had one at Bath & Body. My neighbor picked up a bunch of Christmas ball ornaments at K-mart today to make this wreath – 80% off. Pretty amazing. Hope all is well my friend!
Daniella says
Wish I had your crafty skills my dear! It is beautiful…
Carina says
This is an awesome wreath, Allie – Really striking! (Love that it’s an early Xmas post! ?☃❄) If I can find some ornaments for sale, I will give it a go. I’ve been thinking that my door could use some sparkle fot next holiday season. Thanks for the idea and have a great rest of the week. Xoxo
Kathy says
I LOVE IT! Wow,, your house is gorgeous— the wreath looks GREAT on your door! This is awesome -thank you so much, Allie!
Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat says
What an awesome project! The kids would have so much fun making a wreath like this. I can’t wait to show this to my husband; he is the holiday decorator in the family (he won third place in our town’s holiday decorating contest this year). We actually have one of those Martha Stewart wreaths that we got on clearance after last Christmas, but it would be a lot of fun to make our own! Thanks for the inspiration! Happy New Year!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I say YAY to Christmas year round, Allie! PLUS, now is the perfect time to buy all those ornaments at a discount! Who doesn’t love a good deal, right?! This wreath is SO FUN!! My MIL makes all our wreathes because she is super talented (and I’m lazy), but I’m going to have to surprise her and make this one for Christmas 2017! Thanks for sharing!!
P.S. I hope you and your family had the most beautiful holiday, dear friend! xoxo
Eva says
Même si Noël est fini, cette couronne est parfait et tellement belle!! Ta maison aussi est très belle et avec la neige tout au tour est sublime! La neige par ici, se fait de plus en plus rare et il nous manque! Je prendre note pour le prochaine Noël! xoxo
retainingwallsatl says
I will give it a go. I’ve been thinking that my door could use some sparkle for the next holiday season. Thanks for the idea and have a great rest of the week. This wreath is SO FUN!! My MIL makes all our wreathes because she is super talented. I don’t think they sell those anymore, but I’ve gotten great use out of it. This came at a good time because now I know how to replace it.