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    Home » Christmas Decorations And Crafts

    Upcycled Plaid Christmas Door Hanger

    Published by Pam Kessler | 627 words. · About 4 minutes to read this article. - 11 Comments

    I wanted to do something different for the Christmas wreath on my front door this year.

    Sure, I could have hung your basic pine wreath from the grocery store on my door. I've done that plenty of times in the past and it's OK. It's perfectly acceptable and does the job.

    But it just so happens that while out at a yard sale this summer I ran across a very dirty PLAID thermos picnic set. Minus the thermoses and with a broken sandwich keeper, so basically just a plaid bag.

    But it was a plaid bag!!!

    Upcycled plaid tote for Christmas decor

    And that bag was just begging me to do something fun with it.

    Except this thing looked like it had been stored in the garage for the last twenty years. Under a big old pile of wood and oil cans and may have had a few mice living in it.

    It was pretty gross and it took me a good long time to get up the nerve to unzip the thing and see if anyone had actually taken up residence in it.

    old vintage Thermos picnic set

    Thankfully, they had not! No little carcasses to dispose of.

    But oddly enough, as soon as I laid eyes on that poor excuse for a picnic set I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.

    Door wreath!

    Now, I know what you're thinking. What are the chances of me finding a plaid thermos bag, girly? Well, I'm here to tell you you can use a purse, a grocery tote, a bowling bag or just about any other bag shaped item you come across to do basically the same thing!

    New, used, found in a barn, it doesn't matter.

    upcycled plaid Christmas door hanger

    Repurposed Christmas Door Hanger Tutorial

    (This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)

    Supplies:

    Fresh Greens - I used 2 branches Noble Fir, 3 branches Douglas Fir and 3 branches Cedar

    2-3 Festive picks - I used faux crabapple stems

    Block of Wet Floral Foam

    Cereal Storage Container or similar plastic container

    Pruning Shears or strong scissors

    types pf pine branches for holiday decor

    Instructions:

    Thoroughly clean your bag/purse/tote/whatever. I figured you did not need to see a sink full of dirty water, so I'm skipping that photo.

    Soak your floral foam in water and place it in the bottom of the cereal storage container.

    placing floral foam in container

    Make fresh cuts on your greens so they can absorb more water (sort of like cutting the end of your Christmas tree before putting it up).

    pruning pine branches for holiday arrangement

    Place your greens in the container, pushing them down into the moist foam.

    placing Noble Fir in holiday arrangement
    I like to place the sturdier Noble Fir in first, followed by the thinner stemmed Douglas Fir

    creating Christmas arrangement

    and then place the Cedar so it slightly drapes over the edge.

    using Cedar in Christmas decor

    Lastly, place your artificial stems in the arrangement. No need to push them into the foam, the greens will hold them in place.

    using red crabapples in Christmas decoration

    Once complete, slide your masterpiece into the bag, fluffing the greenery if needed.

    creating Christmas door hanger

    Hang your new door hanger on your front door and await glowing compliments from your friends and neighbors.

    Oh, and I don't know if you've noticed this, but you don't even have to hang it on anything. This would look cute just setting out on your porch!

    BTW, when I painted my door teal last year it was summertime and I was all about summer colors. Once fall and winter came around I was pretty sure I had made a major decorating mistake in choosing that color.

    But you know what, it looks pretty festive next to my bright green and red "wreath"!

    plaid, red and green holiday decor

    I think the teal is a keeper no matter the season.

    upcycled Christmas door hanger

    Other posts you may enjoy:

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    Comments

    1. Kathy Owen

      October 29, 2020 at 9:42 am

      I have a similar bag with the thermos and sandwich box. I took it to the shop to sell. Now I have a much better idea. Going to bring it home. Thanks Pam!

      Reply
      • Pam Kessler

        October 29, 2020 at 10:54 am

        Run and go get it!!!

        Reply
    2. Jen

      December 01, 2019 at 10:15 pm

      I REALLY like this! It looks so nice against your AQUA door! And I have a similar Thermos set, or I can find something. I have a black and white plaid bag that would look nice, too, but I wouldn’t have thought of it, so I thank you!

      Reply
    3. taryterre

      December 01, 2019 at 8:03 am

      what an unusual fun idea. i love it. it turned out beautifully.

      Reply
    4. Mary Kay

      November 30, 2019 at 8:15 pm

      This is so cute!! And I love your teal door, perfect backdrop for your plaid door hanger,

      Reply
    5. Joan K

      November 30, 2019 at 7:11 pm

      Come on......this is absolutely the cutest PLAID find ever !! And to transform it into this fabulous door hanger makes it a thousand times better !!! The BEST...........

      Reply
    6. Barb Diffenderfer

      November 30, 2019 at 5:39 pm

      Wonderful. Just sold one at my last garage sale! Great Job!

      Reply
    7. Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces

      November 30, 2019 at 4:31 pm

      Love, love, love it, Pam! Such a fun find...it looks beautiful!

      Reply
    8. Merri Jo

      November 30, 2019 at 12:41 pm

      This is ADORABLE!...Oh to find a plaid bag!

      Reply
    9. Janet D

      November 30, 2019 at 10:41 am

      I love the arrangement! You always have great ideas!!!! I use your ideas to decorate my pots at the front door too. Now I need more red berries! Thanks!

      Reply
    10. Nana Diana

      November 29, 2019 at 9:26 am

      That turned out really cute, Pam! What a fun (and different) idea! Happy Black Friday- xo Diana

      Reply

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