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Dress Up Your Door With a Festive Wreath

Front doors may be knocked, slamed and subjected to the dents and dings of daily life during most of the year, but they put on their Sunday best during the holidays.

In the spirit of the season, many give their entryways a festive flair with a holiday wreath. A hand crafted wreath is simple to make and shows your creativity while it warmly welcomes your holiday vistors to your home.

Here's a simple wreath project that's designed to impress, but so easy to create. The total cost should be about $80, including all needed craft supplies.

Materials are available at tree stands, floral shops and craft stores. You may be able to save a bit — and add to the fun — if you can gather pine cones, acorns, berries and holly leaves on an afternoon outing. A bit of glitter on the berries and gold paint for the holly leaves will produce the same results as store bought decorations.

MATERIALS:
Wreath base, 12 inches to 24 inches wide
Wired ribbon
Glitter berry fruit
Faux acorns
Pinecones
Gold-dipped silk holly leaves
Hot-glue gun and glue sticks
Floral tape
20-gauge wire
Dresden-finish spraypaint

Select a ribbon color that coordinates with the front door. Create a bow and streamers from the wired ribbon. Place it at the top of the wreath with streamers wrapping through and around the wreath base.

Spray pine cones with Dresden-finish spray paint for a lacquered look. Affix berry fruit and pinecones to the base with hot glue. Use wire or floral tape to attach faux acorns and golden silk holly leaves.

Create a sturdy hanging loop with floral wire and hang your festive holiday wreath on your front door to greet your family, friends and neighbors as they arrive for your holiday celebrations.

When holiday decorations go up, a little cleaning often is in order, especially when it comes to the front door.

Jeld-Wen, a door and window manufacturer, offers these tips on front door maintenance:

* Inspect door surfaces. For painted or stained doors, inspect the finish on all six sides for any signs that restoration is needed, such as cracks, dulling or a whitish cast on the surface. Lightly sand and retouch with matching paint or the manufacturer's recommended finish.

* Check the weatherproofing. Carefully look at the frame, seals and weatherstrips to make sure the door won't allow cold air in.

* Use gentle cleaning materials. Mix 1 teaspoon of baby shampoo or 1.5 cups of vinegar to 1 gallon of water. Dry thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. Do not use abrasive tools, harsh liquids, power washers or hoses.

Source...
Jeld-Wen front door styles and maintenance tips - www.jeld-wen.com/resources - (800) 877-9482.

Also see-> Christmas Trees | Christmas Crafts & Decorations

Related Web Resources...

Holiday Wreaths: A Beautiful Tradition

Winning Ways With Wreaths