23 Creative DIY Christmas Wreath From Paper Ideas for Festive Decorating

Christmas wreaths are one of the easiest ways to make a home feel festive, but you do not need fresh greenery or expensive decorations to create something beautiful. With cardstock, kraft paper, old book pages, crepe paper, scrapbook paper, and even leftover wrapping paper, you can create a stunning DIY Christmas wreath from paper for very little money.

Paper wreaths are also wonderfully customizable. You can make them traditional with red berries and green holly leaves, elegant with cream poinsettias and gold stars, rustic with kraft paper, or playful with miniature presents and peppermint candies.

Most of the projects below can be made with basic craft supplies and a simple cardboard wreath base. Some are easy enough for beginners, while others offer slightly more detailed techniques such as paper quilling, origami, flower making, and crepe-paper shaping.

Here are 23 creative paper Christmas wreath ideas you can use to decorate doors, walls, mantels, windows, party spaces, and other areas of your home this festive season.

1. Layered Paper Holly Leaf Christmas Wreath

A holly leaf wreath is perfect if you love traditional Christmas decor. Layering different shades of green paper gives the wreath plenty of dimension, while clusters of bright red berries instantly create that familiar festive look.

What You’ll Need

• Cardboard wreath base
• Dark green cardstock
• Medium green cardstock
• Light green cardstock
• Red cardstock
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Craft glue or hot glue
• Red ribbon

How to Make It

1. Cut a large ring from sturdy cardboard to create the wreath base.
2. Draw a simple pointed holly leaf template and cut out plenty of leaves in different shades of green.
3. Fold each leaf gently down the center to create a raised vein and more natural shape.
4. Begin gluing the leaves around the cardboard ring, overlapping each new row slightly.
5. Cut small circles from red cardstock and group them into clusters of three to create berries.
6. Place the berry clusters evenly around the wreath.
7. Finish with a red ribbon bow at the bottom or top.

2. Rolled Paper Rose Christmas Wreath

A wreath covered with handmade paper roses looks far more elaborate than the materials suggest. Deep reds, burgundy, cream, and touches of green create a romantic Christmas arrangement that works beautifully in elegant interiors.

What You’ll Need

• Red cardstock
• Burgundy cardstock
• Cream cardstock
• Green cardstock
• Cardboard wreath base
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Craft glue
• Ribbon

How to Make It

1. Draw circles in several sizes onto your chosen flower papers.
2. Cut each circle into a continuous spiral, beginning at the outside edge.
3. Roll the spiral tightly from the outer end toward the center.
4. Allow the paper rose to loosen slightly before gluing the base in place.
5. Repeat until you have enough roses to cover most of the wreath.
6. Cut simple leaves from green cardstock and fold them gently along the middle.
7. Glue the larger flowers onto the wreath first, followed by smaller roses and leaves.
8. Fill any visible spaces until the cardboard is completely hidden.

3. Folded Paper Christmas Tree Wreath

Miniature paper Christmas trees can be arranged around a circular base to create a charming forest-inspired wreath. Using several green tones makes the tiny trees look more interesting and creates beautiful depth.

What You’ll Need

• Green paper in several shades
• White cardstock
• Gold cardstock
• Cardboard wreath base
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Glue
• Pencil

How to Make It

1. Cut rectangular pieces of green paper in several different sizes.
2. Accordion-fold each rectangle from one short edge to the other.
3. Fold the accordion in half and glue the inner edges together to create a fan-shaped tree.
4. Make enough trees to cover the wreath.
5. Arrange the trees around the cardboard ring, alternating their colors and sizes.
6. Cut tiny stars from gold cardstock and attach them to selected tree tops.
7. Add small white paper circles or snowflakes between the trees.
8. Check that the base is fully covered before displaying the wreath.

4. Kraft Paper Leaf Christmas Wreath

Brown kraft paper creates a warm, rustic wreath that pairs beautifully with farmhouse and neutral Christmas decor. The design is simple, but carefully layered leaves make it look stylish and professionally finished.

What You’ll Need

• Kraft paper
• Thick cardboard
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Glue
• White cardstock
• Jute string or neutral ribbon

How to Make It

1. Cut a large wreath ring from thick cardboard.
2. Draw two or three simple botanical leaf shapes onto kraft paper.
3. Cut enough leaves to cover the entire wreath.
4. Fold each leaf down the middle or slightly curve the edges using a pencil.
5. Starting at one point on the wreath, glue the leaves in overlapping rows.
6. Keep the leaves facing roughly the same direction for a natural flowing effect.
7. Add small white cardstock berries or stars between a few of the leaves.
8. Finish with a loop of jute string for hanging.

5. Paper Poinsettia Christmas Wreath

Large handmade poinsettias can turn a basic paper wreath into a dramatic Christmas decoration. Red flowers create the classic look, while cream or burgundy flowers can make the arrangement feel more sophisticated.

What You’ll Need

• Red cardstock
• Burgundy or cream cardstock
• Dark green cardstock
• Yellow or gold paper
• Cardboard wreath form
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pencil

How to Make It

1. Create three sizes of pointed poinsettia petal templates.
2. Cut multiple sets of petals from red and burgundy cardstock.
3. Gently curl the petals upward with your fingers or around a pencil.
4. Glue the largest petals together in a circle.
5. Add medium and small petals on top to form each flower.
6. Place tiny yellow or gold paper circles in the centers.
7. Cut broad leaves from dark green cardstock.
8. Arrange the largest poinsettias around the wreath first.
9. Fill the spaces with smaller flowers and green leaves until the design looks balanced.

6. Vintage Book Page Christmas Wreath

Old book pages give a Christmas wreath a beautiful vintage appearance. Rolling pages into cones creates an impressive sunburst effect that works especially well with traditional, cottage, or farmhouse interiors.

What You’ll Need

• Pages from an unwanted or damaged book
• Cardboard circle
• Craft glue
• Scissors
• Decorative paper
• Ribbon
• Optional brown craft paint

How to Make It

1. Cut a sturdy cardboard circle slightly smaller than your desired wreath.
2. Roll each book page diagonally into a cone and secure it with glue.
3. Make plenty of cones before beginning the arrangement.
4. Glue the first row of cones around the cardboard with the narrow ends facing inward.
5. Add a second overlapping layer if you want a fuller wreath.
6. Create a paper rosette, snowflake, or circular medallion for the center.
7. For an aged appearance, lightly brush the paper edges with diluted brown paint.
8. Attach a burgundy, green, or neutral ribbon for hanging.

7. Paper Snowflake Christmas Wreath

A snowflake wreath creates a light winter look that can stay on display beyond Christmas. Combining different snowflake sizes and patterns gives the arrangement much more detail than repeating only one design.

What You’ll Need

• White cardstock
• Pale blue paper
• Silver paper
• Cardboard wreath base
• Scissors
• Glue
• Snowflake templates
• Optional pearl-style embellishments

How to Make It

1. Cut several styles of snowflakes from white and pale blue paper.
2. Create them in small, medium, and large sizes.
3. Place the largest snowflakes around the cardboard base first.
4. Allow some edges to overlap and extend beyond the wreath.
5. Fill the spaces with smaller snowflakes.
6. Fold selected snowflakes slightly at the center so they stand away from the base.
7. Add a few silver stars or pearl-style accents.
8. Continue layering until the cardboard ring is no longer visible.

8. Accordion-Fold Paper Fan Wreath

Accordion rosettes are simple to make and instantly add color and texture. This wreath works especially well with festive scrapbook papers because every fan can feature a different Christmas pattern.

What You’ll Need

• Christmas scrapbook paper
• Red cardstock
• Green cardstock
• Gold cardstock
• Cardboard wreath base
• Scissors
• Glue
• Ruler

How to Make It

1. Cut rectangular strips of decorative paper in different widths.
2. Fold each strip back and forth in narrow accordion folds.
3. Join the short ends to form a loop.
4. Press the center inward to flatten the paper into a circular fan.
5. Glue a paper circle over the center to hold the rosette securely.
6. Make large, medium, and small rosettes.
7. Position the largest pieces around the wreath first.
8. Fill the spaces with smaller fans and contrasting decorative circles.

9. Paper Candy Cane Wreath

This playful wreath takes inspiration from red-and-white peppermint candy. It is a fun choice for kitchens, family rooms, children’s spaces, or a whimsical candy-themed Christmas setup.

What You’ll Need

• Red cardstock
• White cardstock
• Green paper
• Cardboard wreath base
• Scissors
• Glue
• Red ribbon
• Pencil

How to Make It

1. Cut candy cane shapes from sturdy white cardstock.
2. Add diagonal red paper stripes across each candy cane.
3. Make several sizes so the wreath does not look too uniform.
4. Create peppermint candies using white circles decorated with red paper spirals.
5. Glue the candy canes around the wreath at slightly different angles.
6. Fill the gaps with peppermint circles.
7. Add a few green paper holly leaves to introduce another Christmas color.
8. Finish with a large red bow.

10. Crepe Paper Evergreen Wreath

Crepe paper can imitate evergreen needles surprisingly well because it can be stretched, curled, and fringed. Using several green shades makes the finished wreath look much more natural.

What You’ll Need

• Dark green crepe paper
• Medium green crepe paper
• Light green crepe paper
• Floral wire or thin craft wire
• Cardboard or wire wreath form
• Scissors
• Glue
• Red paper

How to Make It

1. Cut long strips of green crepe paper.
2. Fringe one edge of each strip with closely spaced cuts.
3. Wrap the strips around floral wire while twisting gently to create evergreen branches.
4. Make branches in several green shades and different lengths.
5. Attach the branches around the wreath base, overlapping each stem.
6. Continue until the wreath looks thick and full.
7. Roll small red paper balls or circles for berry clusters.
8. Add the berries between selected branches for a festive finish.

11. Sheet Music Paper Christmas Wreath

Sheet music creates an elegant black-and-cream paper wreath that feels nostalgic and festive without needing many additional decorations. It is particularly lovely for music lovers.

What You’ll Need

• Printed sheet music or unwanted music pages
• Cardboard base
• Scissors
• Craft glue
• Red or green cardstock
• Ribbon
• Gold paper

How to Make It

1. Cut the music pages into equal rectangles if necessary.
2. Roll each page into a narrow cone and glue the edge.
3. Arrange the cones around a circular cardboard base.
4. Keep the pointed ends directed toward the center.
5. Add a second row of cones to fill spaces between the first layer.
6. Cut small gold stars or green holly leaves for decoration.
7. Make a layered paper medallion for the center if desired.
8. Add a red ribbon to bring traditional Christmas color into the design.

12. Newspaper Christmas Wreath

A newspaper wreath is one of the most budget-friendly projects on this list. The visible printed text gives the wreath an interesting recycled look, while simple Christmas accents prevent it from feeling plain.

What You’ll Need

• Old newspapers
• Cardboard wreath base
• Glue
• Scissors
• White craft paint
• Red cardstock
• Green cardstock

How to Make It

1. Cut newspaper sheets into long sections.
2. Roll each section tightly around a pencil to create narrow paper tubes.
3. Remove the pencil and glue the end of each tube closed.
4. Bend or curve the tubes gently to follow the wreath shape.
5. Attach them in overlapping layers around the base.
6. Lightly brush selected areas with white paint for a snowy appearance.
7. Cut red berries and green leaves from cardstock.
8. Glue the festive accents around the wreath without completely hiding the newspaper print.

13. Paper Ornament Ball Wreath

Dimensional paper baubles give this wreath the appearance of being filled with Christmas ornaments while keeping the entire decoration lightweight.

What You’ll Need

• Patterned scrapbook paper
• Red, green and gold cardstock
• Circular paper punch or scissors
• Cardboard wreath form
• Glue
• Metallic paper
• Ribbon

How to Make It

1. Cut several identical circles for each ornament.
2. Fold every circle precisely in half.
3. Glue half of one folded circle to half of the next.
4. Continue joining circles until you create a rounded paper ornament.
5. Cut small metallic rectangles to form ornament caps.
6. Make baubles in several sizes and colors.
7. Arrange larger ornaments evenly around the wreath.
8. Add smaller baubles in the remaining spaces until the base is hidden.
9. Finish with a coordinating ribbon.

14. Paper Star Christmas Wreath

Paper stars can create a clean, modern Christmas wreath with very little effort. A white-and-gold version feels sophisticated, while red and green gives the project a more traditional look.

What You’ll Need

• White cardstock
• Gold paper
• Optional red or green cardstock
• Cardboard wreath base
• Star templates
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Glue

How to Make It

1. Trace stars in several different sizes onto the cardstock.
2. Cut each star carefully.
3. Score light lines from the points toward the center.
4. Fold gently along these lines to create raised dimensional stars.
5. Arrange the largest stars around the wreath first.
6. Overlap medium and small stars to hide the cardboard.
7. Allow several stars to extend beyond the outer edge.
8. Keep the color placement balanced around the entire wreath.

15. Red and White Paper Loop Wreath

This is one of the easiest projects for beginners because it requires no complicated templates or folding techniques. The repeated loops create plenty of volume and a cheerful candy-cane color palette.

What You’ll Need

• Red construction paper
• White construction paper
• Green cardstock
• Cardboard wreath base
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Glue or stapler

How to Make It

1. Cut the red and white paper into strips of equal width.
2. Make some strips slightly shorter to introduce size variation.
3. Bring the ends of each strip together to create a loop.
4. Glue or staple each loop closed.
5. Attach the loops closely around the wreath base.
6. Alternate red and white as you work.
7. Add a second layer of loops where extra fullness is needed.
8. Finish with green paper holly leaves or a large paper bow.

16. Paper Doily Snowy Christmas Wreath

Paper doilies already have intricate cutout patterns, making them ideal for a delicate snowy wreath. Layering several sizes creates a soft lace-like texture.

What You’ll Need

• White paper doilies
• Cardboard wreath base
• White cardstock
• Silver cardstock
• Glue
• Scissors
• Pale blue ribbon

How to Make It

1. Leave some doilies flat while folding others into halves or quarters.
2. Attach the largest flat doilies around the wreath base.
3. Tuck folded doilies between them to create additional volume.
4. Cut simple snowflakes from white cardstock.
5. Place the snowflakes over selected areas of the wreath.
6. Add a few small silver stars for subtle sparkle.
7. Check that no large sections of cardboard remain visible.
8. Attach a pale blue or white ribbon for hanging.

17. Origami Christmas Wreath

An origami Christmas wreath is a beautiful choice when you want something geometric and carefully crafted. Repeating the same folded unit creates a coordinated design without requiring extra decorations.

What You’ll Need

• Double-sided origami paper
• Green patterned paper
• Red paper
• Gold paper
• Ruler
• Glue
• Ribbon

How to Make It

1. Choose a simple origami leaf, star, or modular folding pattern.
2. Cut your papers into equal-sized squares.
3. Fold each square using exactly the same sequence.
4. Press every crease firmly to keep the finished shapes neat.
5. Make enough folded pieces to form a complete circle.
6. Connect the pieces by interlocking or gluing their ends.
7. Alternate colors or use mostly green with occasional red and gold accents.
8. Add a simple hanging ribbon rather than covering the folds with extra decorations.

18. Paper Pinecone and Evergreen Wreath

Paper pinecones paired with handmade evergreen branches create a rustic woodland wreath without using natural foliage. Layering brown paper scales makes the pinecones surprisingly dimensional.

What You’ll Need

• Brown cardstock in several shades
• Green cardstock or crepe paper
• Cardboard wreath base
• Scissors
• Glue
• Red cardstock
• White paper

How to Make It

1. Cut many small rounded or teardrop-shaped pieces from brown cardstock.
2. Starting at the bottom of a small paper form, overlap the pieces like pinecone scales.
3. Continue upward until the form is completely covered.
4. Make several pinecones in different sizes.
5. Cut or fringe green paper into evergreen branches.
6. Layer the branches around the wreath base.
7. Arrange the paper pinecones in small groups.
8. Add red berries or small white snow accents between the greenery.

19. Mini Paper Gift Box Christmas Wreath

Tiny paper presents make this wreath bright, cheerful, and full of personality. It is also a great opportunity to use several coordinating Christmas paper patterns.

What You’ll Need

• Festive scrapbook paper
• Cardstock
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Glue
• Thin paper strips
• Cardboard wreath base

How to Make It

1. Draw or print simple cube templates in several sizes.
2. Cut the templates from cardstock or patterned paper.
3. Fold along the template lines and glue each cube closed.
4. Wrap narrow strips of contrasting paper around each box like ribbon.
5. Create tiny paper bows for some of the packages.
6. Arrange the largest gifts around the wreath first.
7. Fill the spaces with smaller packages.
8. Tilt a few boxes slightly so the arrangement feels playful rather than perfectly uniform.

20. Paper Gingerbread House Wreath

A collection of tiny paper gingerbread houses can turn a wreath into a miniature Christmas village. Kraft cardstock provides the perfect gingerbread color, while white details imitate piped icing.

What You’ll Need

• Kraft cardstock
• White cardstock
• Red and green paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• White marker
• Cardboard wreath form
• Paper snowflakes

How to Make It

1. Cut several small house shapes from kraft cardstock.
2. Add doors, windows, rooflines, and decorative icing using white paper or a white marker.
3. Create different house sizes to make the village more interesting.
4. Cut small evergreen trees from green cardstock.
5. Arrange the houses along the lower half of the wreath.
6. Add the paper trees between and behind the houses.
7. Layer torn white paper beneath the village to represent snow.
8. Decorate the upper section with snowflakes and tiny stars.

21. Scandinavian Paper Leaf Wreath

A Scandinavian-style paper wreath is ideal for anyone who prefers calm, uncluttered Christmas decor. Muted colors and simple botanical shapes create an understated but festive result.

What You’ll Need

• Sage green cardstock
• Cream cardstock
• White cardstock
• Kraft paper
• Thin cardboard ring
• Scissors
• Glue
• Neutral ribbon

How to Make It

1. Cut several simple leaf shapes from sage, cream, white, and kraft paper.
2. Make the leaves in two or three sizes.
3. Gently crease each one down the center.
4. Arrange small clusters around the cardboard ring rather than densely covering every area.
5. Alternate colors to keep the wreath balanced.
6. Add a few simple paper stars or white berries.
7. Leave some negative space visible to preserve the minimalist appearance.
8. Finish with a narrow neutral ribbon or natural twine.

22. Quilled Paper Christmas Wreath

Quilling turns narrow strips of paper into intricate Christmas leaves, berries, flowers, and snowflakes. This technique takes a little patience, but the finished wreath can look incredibly detailed.

What You’ll Need

• Green quilling paper
• Red quilling paper
• White quilling paper
• Gold quilling paper
• Quilling tool or toothpick
• Glue
• Small cardboard wreath base

How to Make It

1. Wrap a green paper strip around a quilling tool to create a coil.
2. Allow the coil to loosen slightly before gluing the end.
3. Pinch opposite sides to create a leaf shape.
4. Make dozens of green leaves in several sizes.
5. Create tight red coils for berries.
6. Use white paper to make small quilled snowflakes or flowers.
7. Arrange the leaves around the cardboard wreath base.
8. Add berry clusters, white details, and occasional gold coils until the composition feels complete.

23. Colorful Scrap Paper Christmas Wreath

Instead of throwing away leftover craft paper, turn it into a colorful Christmas wreath. This project lets you combine multiple techniques while making use of small scraps that might otherwise go unused.

What You’ll Need

• Leftover scrapbook paper
• Cardstock scraps
• Wrapping paper scraps
• Kraft paper
• Cardboard wreath base
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pencil

How to Make It

1. Sort the scraps into a coordinated Christmas color palette.
2. Cut larger scraps into leaves, stars, or folded rosettes.
3. Turn narrow pieces into loops or rolled paper shapes.
4. Attach the largest decorations around the wreath first.
5. Add medium pieces to establish an even arrangement.
6. Use tiny scraps for berries, miniature stars, and filler leaves.
7. Continue filling spaces until the cardboard base is hidden.
8. Step back occasionally to check that colors and shapes are evenly distributed.

How to Make Your Paper Christmas Wreath Look More Professional

The difference between a basic paper craft and a polished-looking Christmas wreath often comes down to a few small details.

Start by limiting your color palette. Three to five coordinating colors generally look better than using every paper color you have. Even traditional Christmas green looks more realistic when you combine dark, medium, and lighter tones.

Dimension is equally important. Try not to glue every element completely flat. Fold leaves gently along their centers, curl flower petals around a pencil, raise the points of stars, and overlap your paper pieces. The resulting shadows immediately make a wreath look fuller.

When building your wreath, attach the largest decorations first. Once those pieces establish the overall arrangement, add medium and small elements to fill the remaining spaces.

Also choose the right type of paper for each technique. Thick cardstock is excellent for leaves, stars, gift boxes, and structural pieces. Crepe paper works better for flexible flowers and foliage, while thinner decorative papers are useful for origami, rosettes, and layered elements.

Finally, remember that most paper Christmas wreath ideas are intended for indoor use. Moisture can warp cardstock and damage delicate details, so display your finished homemade Christmas wreath on an interior door, wall, mantel, window, or another protected area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of paper is best for making a Christmas wreath?

Cardstock is the best all-purpose choice because it is sturdy enough to hold leaves, flowers, stars, ornaments, and other shapes.

Crepe paper is excellent for flowers and realistic greenery, while kraft paper works particularly well for rustic Christmas crafts. Scrapbook paper is useful when you want attractive patterns and coordinated colors.

Thinner construction paper can also work for simple beginner projects such as paper loops.

How do you make a paper wreath base?

Cardboard packaging is an inexpensive option. Trace one large circle onto the cardboard and then trace a smaller circle inside it. Cut around both lines to leave a ring.

If your cardboard is thin, cut two identical rings and glue them together for additional strength.

You can also use purchased foam, wooden, or wire wreath forms, although these are not necessary for most lightweight paper projects.

Can paper Christmas wreaths be used outdoors?

Most paper wreaths should be displayed indoors. Rain, snow, condensation, and high humidity can cause paper to fade, curl, soften, or lose its shape.

A paper wreath may work on a completely covered porch or behind a protective storm door, but only if you are confident that it will remain dry.

How can I make a paper wreath last for several Christmas seasons?

Keep your wreath somewhere dry and away from direct moisture. At the end of the season, place it in a shallow storage container or wreath box.

Use tissue paper around three-dimensional flowers or folded decorations to prevent them from being crushed.

Avoid stacking heavy Christmas decorations directly on top of the wreath.

What is the easiest DIY Christmas wreath from paper for beginners?

The red and white paper loop wreath is probably the easiest project because it only requires cutting and creating simple loops.

Layered paper leaf wreaths and paper star wreaths are also beginner-friendly because they rely on repeating one simple shape.

Once you become comfortable with basic paper crafting, you can move on to rolled flowers, origami, quilling, or realistic crepe-paper foliage.

Final Thoughts

Creating Christmas decorations from paper is an affordable and enjoyable way to make your holiday decor feel more personal. Something as simple as cardstock or leftover wrapping paper can become holly leaves, poinsettias, stars, snowflakes, gingerbread houses, evergreen branches, miniature presents, and countless other festive details.

A DIY Christmas wreath from paper can also be customized much more easily than a store-bought wreath. Choose traditional red and green for a classic Christmas atmosphere, experiment with kraft paper for rustic charm, or combine cream, sage, and gold for a softer modern look.

You can follow one of these 23 projects exactly or combine techniques from several ideas. A paper poinsettia wreath could include evergreen leaves, for example, while a gingerbread village wreath could be decorated with paper peppermint candies and snowflakes.

With some paper, scissors, glue, and creativity, you can make a festive wreath that feels completely unique to your Christmas home.