20 Minute Timeless Christmas Wreath Makeover Using a Thrifted Embroidery Hoop
There’s something magical about taking a forgotten item off a thrift-store shelf and giving it a brand-new life—especially during the Christmas season. This week’s makeover is one of my favorites because it blends everything I love about holiday crafting: affordability, creativity, sustainability, and that warm, timeless Christmas charm. I recently came across a large wooden embroidery hoop during one of my usual thrift-store walks, and while most people might see it as simply a sewing tool, I immediately saw wreath potential. With just a few dollars’ worth of ribbon and greenery, this plain hoop transformed into a beautiful, traditional Christmas wreath that looks stunning on any wall or door.
What I love most about thrifting is how it invites you to see potential where others don’t. It’s budget-friendly, reduces waste, stimulates creativity, and honestly—it’s just good for the soul. Crafting can be incredibly therapeutic, especially during the holiday season. There’s something peaceful and grounding about working with your hands, slowing down, and creating something beautiful with simple elements.
This embroidery-hoop wreath is a perfect example of how easy, elegant, and inexpensive holiday crafting can be. Whether you’re decorating on a budget, looking for a simple weekend DIY, or just craving the joy of creating something meaningful, this project checks all the boxes. Below, you’ll find the stunning before and after photos of this transformation, a full step-by-step guide, and the link to watch the entire process on video. I hope it inspires you to look at thrift-store finds in a whole new way!
Before & After
The embroidery hoop was in great shape and was very large!
Such a timeless, Christmas wreath!
Why Thrifted Décor Makes the Best Holiday Crafts
Thrifted pieces offer endless creative possibilities without the high cost of buying new supplies. Items like frames, baskets, wooden boxes, and embroidery hoops make perfect bases for home décor projects. Not only does upcycling save money, but it also keeps perfectly good materials out of landfills.
Crafting with thrifted finds also gives you a sense of pride—knowing your décor is one-of-a-kind, handmade, and built with creativity. And during the holiday season, when budgets run tight and the to-do list gets long, simple DIY projects like this one provide a calm moment of joy.
How to Make This Embroidery Hoop Into A Christmas Wreath
Here are the exact steps I used to turn this thrift-store embroidery hoop into a beautiful Christmas wreath:
- Clean and prep the hoop, then open it.
Dust it off, lightly sand, wipe it down, and separate the inner and outer hoops. - Cut two pieces of ribbon—one thinner, one wider—and stack them.
I chose rich red and deep green to give the wreath that classic Christmas look. Place your stacked ribbons across the smaller hoop toward the bottom half. - Place the larger hoop back on top.
Close the hoop and tighten the screw at the top as much as possible to secure the ribbon between the two layers. - Create a greenery swag.
Use evergreen stems, holiday picks, berries, pinecones—whatever feels festive to you! Arrange them into a small swag and secure it across the top center of the hoop. - Add a loose red bow.
Tie a pretty bow and let the tails hang naturally for a soft, elegant look. - Add a ribbon loop for hanging.
Any coordinating ribbon works—you only need a small piece to make a hanger for the wreath.
Watch the Full Step-by-Step Tutorial
You can watch this Christmas wreath step-by-step makeover HERE!
This embroidery hoop Christmas wreath proves that you don’t need expensive supplies or complicated steps to create décor that feels meaningful and festive. In fact, some of the best holiday pieces come from the simplest ideas and the humblest materials. What started as a wooden hoop sitting unnoticed on a thrift-store shelf is now a timeless piece of Christmas décor that looks elegant, handcrafted, and perfectly traditional.
Projects like this remind me how beautiful the creative process can be. Crafting encourages us to slow down and appreciate the small victories—choosing the perfect ribbon, arranging greenery just right, tightening the hoop and seeing everything come together. These tiny moments of creativity can bring calm, joy, and a sense of accomplishment during a season that can often feel overwhelming.
Whether you decide to recreate this Christmas wreath exactly as I made it or customize it with your own ribbon colors and floral picks, I hope this project inspires you to explore thrift stores with new eyes. There’s so much beauty hiding on those shelves just waiting to be transformed. And the best part? You can decorate your home with pieces that look store-bought for just a few dollars.
Thank you for joining me for another Christmas wreath makeover! Don’t forget to check out the full video tutorial, save this idea for later, and share your own creations with me. I love seeing how each of you adds your personal touch to these simple projects. You can also watch all the other Christmas wreath makeovers on my Facebook page!
Need embroidery hoops? Check these out HERE!
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Have fun crafting!
Lianep
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