How to Create Halloween Ribbon Wreaths That Look Good Enough to Sell

Like a saucer-eyed puppy, seasonal wreaths are not just for Christmas. And, if social media trends are to be believed, over the last few years they’re steadily creeping towards evergreen status. With the cusp of spooky season almost upon us, what better time to give them a go, with a renewed freaky flavour? 

To that end, here’s how to make a Halloween ribbon wreath that will help you out-compete the neighbours and the ideal piece to bring along to your local art fair for a guaranteed return. 

Halloween Wreaths: The ‘It’ Decoration for October 

If you’re looking for a seasonal craft to add to your Etsy shop or craft fair lineup this autumn, then these quirky Halloween wreaths can’t be passed up.  

Made using a simple combination of wire for the base and layers of ribbon for the decoration, twine or pipe cleaners to keep it together, plus a few extras as the cherry-on-top ornamentation, they’re stupidly budget-friendly and  therapeutic to make. 

“Since British consumers are spending more in the run up to Halloween and much earlier than ever before, retailers, micro businesses and side hustlers should be preparing weeks in advance of October 31^st if they want to maximise returns around the holiday,” says Graham Hopps, Director and ribbon specialist at Colour Ribbons.  

“Often the best course of action is buying your supplies in bulk with a wholesaler who can offer more competitive prices than your average chain,” he continued. Creativity and resourcefulness are key, so approach this project with them front of mind. 

What You’ll Need 

Luckily for you, sourcing everything you need for these goosebump-raising wreaths doesn’t require any scrambling. All you need is… 

• A selection of wired ribbon (5 rolls), at least 6cm wide and in 2+ shades for variety 

• Something for the wreath form; either strong wire you can mould into shape or a premade wreath ring (you can pick these up at The Range and other craft stores) 

• Twine, pipe cleaners or extra thin ribbon  

• Extra ornamentation: bows, faux botanicals, mini pumpkins, charms, etc. 

• Fabric scissors to cut the ribbon and a lighter to seal off the ends to prevent fraying 

• A measuring tape 

• And, lastly, a cutting mat or other suitable surface 

Settling on a Spooktastic Colour Scheme 

Perhaps the most difficult step of all, ordering your ribbon is usually where decision paralysis rears its ugly head. Campy and fun, seductively Gothic, classic black and white horror, or some Frankenstein’s monster of them all, which is the right choice? 

To help you out a little, here are some colour palette suggestions: 

• Jack o’ lantern: Iconic pumpkin orange as your primary shade, plus slime green and a few pops of black and a mid-tone purple. 

• Haunted house: Borrow from Coraline’s colour grading, with a mix of purples, from inky indigo to lilac, and incorporate electric blue and a shock of yellow. 

• Vampiric: Stick to regal red, black and white, bonus points if you pick indulgent velvet ribbon or another material Dracula would approve of. 

• Pumpkin spice: Not partial to the supernatural vibe? Then perhaps a more biophilic take on autumn would work best, borrowing from the natural colours of harvest: nut browns, russet orange, deep wine red, plum and a touch of cream. 

• Ancient forest: Layer on earthy browns and greens, with a hint of silver to mimic the mysterious glow of the full moon. 

Top tip: If in doubt, browse novelty ribbons printed with seasonal patterns. With silky material emblazoned with arachnids, skulls, or whatever takes your fancy, there’s no mistaking that your wreath is intended for Halloween. 

Making a Wired Ribbon Wreath in 4 Spookily Simple Steps 

• Crafting time: ≤ 2 hours 

• Difficulty: beginner-friendly for ages 10+ 

• 100% customisable 

1. Prep Your Ribbon 

The first step is all about getting your ribbon to look the part. To do so, take your 5 rolls of ribbon and then measure and cut them to size. 

You’ll want each strip to be approximately 20cm; it doesn’t matter if they’re a couple of millimetres off as it gives a lovely, rustic vibe, but if it’s polished you’re going for, be sure to double check your measurements before making the snips. 

Speaking of, I recommend cutting the ends in a “V” shape like a traditional rosette for an elevated look. In total, you should have around ninety pieces of ribbon. 

Separate the various colours and designs into piles for the next step. 

2. Turn Your Ribbon Strips Into Bundles 

Grab one of each type of prepped ribbon to make your ribbon bundles; these will form the basis of your wreath. 

Layer them on top of each other, so every colour is visible, in a 10-pointed star arrangement. Pinch in the middle and secure the bundle at the centre with your twine/pipe cleaners/thin ribbon for a pleated feel. Leave the ends untrimmed as we’ll need those later. 

In total, with your pre-made ribbon strips, you should be able to make 18 bundles. 

3. Build Out Your Wreath Form 

Take your wired wreath base and get ready to bulk it out with your ribbon work. Here, most of the premade skeletons have 2-3 rings and a handful of crossbars. 

Now, it’s your job to use this structure to bring the design to life. Begin by attaching the bundles to each wired section, often there will be six, but if yours divides into more, no worries, you can always create extra bundles for fuller coverage. 

To attach them securely, take the ends of the central knots you used to hold the bundles together and tie them onto the wire.  Now, you can finally trim the excess. 

Repeat this step until, the base is completely covered, and you have what looks like a complete wreath. 

4. The Final Flourishes 

You might be happy with your ribbon wreath at this stage. If so, good for you! ….Buuut, I find that it takes a few final flourishes for the piece to feel truly “finished”.  

I recommend adding one large loop of ribbon at the back so  anyone can hang it over their porch doorframe or pop it on the front door. 

Nestling some classic Halloween décor is also a good shout, popular choices being a mini skeleton, origami bats, ghost ornaments, faux cobwebs, your most uncanny valley dolls, wooden lettering, colour-matched baubles, and tiny novelty pumpkins. Don’t forget to use the negative space in the middle of the wreath either! 

At the end of the day, though, it’s up to you. So go as wild or tame as the moment compels you. As long as these final touches match your guiding theme, the end product will look professional. Spookily, so.