Crafting Christmas: A Peppermint Whirl Tutorial

Crafting Christmas: A Peppermint Whirl Tutorial

Come gather 'round the craft table as we swirl, scrunch, and sparkle our way into holiday cheer! This step-by-step guide walks you through the making of the Peppermint Whirl wreath—a sweet treat for your door and a joy to make by hand.

Step 1: Planning & Preparation

Before the ribbons swirl and the glitter flies, every wreath begins with a moment of quiet intention—and a very well-organized craft table.

🛠️ What you’ll need:

• 10–12” round wreath board with pre-drilled holes
• 4” white wire ties (for anchoring ribbon loops)
• 2.5” wired ribbon in red and white peppermint stripe
• A single white blossom for the center
• Sharp scissors and sturdy snips
• Hot glue gun (heating up and full of purpose)
• Your favorite holiday mug filled with cheer (or strong coffee)
• Reading glasses (because precision matters when beauty’s in the details)

✨ In this planning stage:

• Thread your 4-inch wire ties through the holes of the wreath board in a spiral pattern. These will be your anchors for ribbon loops—no hot glue yet, just structure.
• Select your ribbon—here, a shimmering candy-cane delight—and your centerpiece flower.
• Arrange your tools within easy reach and take a deep breath. The calm before the crafty storm is sacred.
• Double check your layout and spacing, making sure the spiral path will give you full, even coverage with a nice full flourish.

Tip: Keep the wire ties slightly loose at first—you’ll tighten them once the ribbon is looped in place.

Step 2: Cut the Ribbon – Size, Style & Sass

Once your wreath base is wired and ready, it’s time to give those ribbons their runway moment. This is where precision meets pizzazz.

✂️ Here's how to do it:

• Cut your peppermint-striped wired ribbon into five different lengths:
  • 11 inches
  • 10 inches
  • 9 inches
  • 8 inches
  • Save your trimmings—you never know when they’ll sneak into a future project!
• For that polished boutique finish, dovetail the ends of each ribbon. To do this:
  • Fold the ribbon in half lengthwise
  • Snip at an angle from the folded edge toward the wired corner
  • Unfold to reveal a perfect V-cut that gives your ribbon tips a charming, fluttery flair

📐 Pro tip: Group your ribbons by length into neat piles so you can quickly grab the right size while building layers. (Bonus points for the visual satisfaction of tidy stacks—it’s like peppermint parquet flooring!)

🪄 You’re building a visual taper—longer loops go to the outer rings, shorter loops bring fullness toward the center.

Step 3: Loop, Scrunch & Secure

Now the wreath begins to blossom! This is where each ribbon strip transforms into a petal in your peppermint bouquet.

🎀 How to attach your ribbon pieces:

• Take one ribbon strip and fold it gently in half, patterned side out.
• Pinch or “scrunch” the center where the fold meets, creating two soft loops and a little “bow-tie” shape.
• Place the scrunched center between the arms of a 4" wire tie, and pull tight to hold the ribbon in place.

🔁 Where to start:

• Begin with your longest ribbons (11") on the outermost row of holes.
• Work in a spiral path inward, gradually transitioning to the shorter ribbon lengths as you move toward the center. This creates that lush layered look with depth and dimension.

🧵 Pro tip: Don’t overtighten the wire ties on your first pass—give yourself some room to fluff, rotate, or adjust the loops before final tightening.

👋 And remember, a gentle scrunch is all it takes—no need to wrestle with your ribbon. You’re encouraging, not coercing!

Step 4: Admire the Layers – Front & Back

Once all your ribbon loops are snug and secure, take a moment to flip and fluff. You’ve built a wreath full of movement, shine, and structured sweetness!

📸 Front View:
You should see a dazzling whirl of red and white ribbon petals, layered like candy cane chrysanthemum blooms. The shorter lengths nestle into the center, while the longer pieces give body and width to the outer rings.

🔁 Back View:
The wood wreath board remains flat and tidy, with each wire tie pulled taut and evenly spaced. This clean finish ensures your wreath will lay flat against a door or wall—and makes you look like a total professional (because you are!).

🧺 Before moving on:

• Check your ribbons from the front and fluff them lightly to ensure fullness and balance
• Trim any visible tie ends from the back if desired (snip carefully and tuck!)

✨ There’s something so satisfying about this step—every piece has a place, every layer sings in harmony. Your wreath has shape, structure, and soul.

Step 5: Secure the Center Bloom

With your peppermint loops in perfect formation, it’s time to add the sweet finishing touch—a snowy blossom that ties it all together like the bow on a holiday package.

🌸 To attach the centerpiece:

• Choose a large white faux flower—something soft, full, and contrasting to the stripes (think poinsettia, peony, or a bow-like bloom)
• Apply hot glue generously to the bottom of the flower base
• Press firmly into the center of your wreath where all the inner loops meet
• Hold for a few seconds while the glue sets—this is your wreath’s focal point, so let it settle in securely

💡 Optional: Add a dab of glue to tuck in any petals or loops that shift during placement, ensuring a polished and full look from all angles

🎁 Ta-da!
Your Peppermint Whirl wreath is complete—bursting with Christmas cheer, ribboned with care, and finished with a flourish. Ready to hang or gift!