Mini Kitchen Wreaths

I’ve always loved making wreaths—especially small ones. They’re simple, easy to fit into a busy day. With the holidays fast approaching, I wanted to share a favorite craft: tiny, simple wreaths made from things you already have in the kitchen. Nuts, mini apples, orange peel, and a bit of twine or maybe some gingham ribbon. Nothing fancy. Nothing precious. Just a few minutes and a corner of a table or counter cleared enough to work.

These little wreaths are not meant to be perfect, especially during the holidays when things are already busy enough. They’re meant to feel handmade and honest—slightly uneven, a little rustic, and full of scent. They’re the kind of thing you can make while the kettle boils, cookies bake, or dinner finishes in the oven.

What You’ll Need (Use What You Have)

Think of this as a suggestion, not a rule. Gather what looks nice together.

• Nuts in their shells (walnuts and hazelnuts)
• Mini apples like Hawthorne apples
• Orange or clementine peel
• Cinnamon sticks or star anise (optional)
• Bay leaves or rosemary sprigs
• Twine, wire, or floral wire
• Scissors
• Hot glue

How to put them together

Create a base

There are two ways to make these mini wreaths. You can form a small circle using wire. I’m using copper wire you can buy by the foot at the hardware store for about $ 2 per foot.

Or you can use a small round cake pan or dish with straight edges to use as your guide. For the hazelnut wreath, I’m using a crème brûlee ramekin. Use what you have. Hot glue won’t hurt it. It comes right off!

Add one thing at a time.

When starting with a wire wreath form, add your cranberries or orange peel until it’s almost complete, then stick the wire ends together with one more cranberry to hold it in place.

Arrange the nuts in their shells, glue them in between each nut, then turn them over and glue the other side between each nut to make sure it’s secure. Hot glue dries very fast.

Tie it off

Finish with a simple knot or bow. If something shifts or isn’t perfect, that’s part of the charm. I tied a piece of twine between each nut to hide the glue. Then I trimmed the ends and added a bow.

From start to finish, each wreath takes about five minutes.

A Few Lovely Variations

• All-orange: Thin strips of orange peel twisted and tied around the circle—beautiful and fragrant.
• Nutty and neutral: Just walnuts and twine for a very quiet, natural look.
• Apple and bay: A tiny apple paired with a few bay leaves feels especially classic.

Make one, or make several. They look lovely grouped together.

Where to Use Them During the Holidays

• Tied onto cabinet knobs
• Hung on a peg rail
• Used as napkin rings for a special dinner
• Tucked into a gift instead of a bow

They bring a little life—and a bit of quiet festivity—to the everyday.

A Final Thought

I especially love holiday crafts that don’t require a trip to the store or a big time commitment. These wreaths are about noticing what you already have and turning it into something beautiful—even if only for a short while. Most of my supplies were from my fall holiday centerpiece.

Make one this afternoon or one evening this season. Make it imperfect. Let it smell like oranges and winter and home.

That, to me, is the most lovely thing of all.

A few more Sunday favorite things

Read Receipts Gift Guide

If you are like me, you are done shopping but might need a few more stocking stuffers, like a book you can get at your local bookstore. My daughter, Madeline, and two of her friends have a newsletter full of book suggestions. Not so much reviews as it is a curated list of recommendations on what to read next! The Read Receipts newsletter is where I get all of my reading suggestions! Here is a link to the Read Receipts Gift Guide. And if you want to subscribe, whether free or paid, you can do so right here.

A few last-minute stocking stuffers

1. This time of year, my hands are so dry. I’ve been using these Aquaphor Reparing Hand Masks, and what a difference they make. Everyone is getting one in their stocking!
2. Sneaker Erasers or maybe a sneaker cleaning kit. Everyone wears sneakers, and no matter where you live, they get dirty. With a few supplies, you can make them look almost like new!
3. A new pair of tweezers. If you’ve ever dropped your tweezers, you probably need a new pair. I love this gift set from Tweezerman, which comes with a regular size and a mini.
4. Oribe Gold Lust Transformative Masque for hair – It’s a bit pricey, but makes a perfect gift.
5. Casewell-Massey Woodgrain soap

Let’s check in with Mary Ann and Cindy one last time before the holidays!

Classic Casual Home

Read Mary Ann’s Sunday post here.

Cindy Hattersley Design

Read Cindy’s Sunday post here.