Sometimes the most beautiful DIY decor ideas can be put together with materials you have around your home. That was the case with this creative yet beautiful winter hat front door swag.

A white winter hat hanging from a hook. The hat is filled with greenery and small decorative picks such as a snowflakes, trees, pine cones, wood slices and a birdhouse.

Upcycling a winter hat into decor

When I was recently sorting through the seemingly hundreds of winter hats and mitts my kids have, I came across two of the same hat. It was from the days when I could dress my two littlest in matching outfits. Now they each have their own sense of style and they rarely let me dress them as twinsies.

I had seen a creative front door wreath idea on Pinterest and thought it would be fun to recreate with one of the hats. We have a whole post on non-traditional winter wreath ideas, including this one. It’s so interesting to see people’s creativity and imagination coming through to decorate their homes.

A close up of greenery mixed with decorative picks such as a snowflake, a reindeer,wood slice, a pom pom and pine cones.

And don’t worry: no hats were harmed in making this front door swag. I’ll be able to remove the arrangement at the end of the season and pass the clothing on to little cousins for next winter!

Materials needed to make this front door swag

Sturdy knit hat (ideally reinforced with a lining)
Safety pin and strong elastic band
Container about the same width as the hat opening
Floral foam
Hot glue gun with clear craft glue
Fresh or faux greenery
Decorative picks
Bamboo skewers covered in floral tape
Small birdhouse ornament
Small embellishments (pine cones, wooden snowflakes, wood slices)

Materials that are being used to make the front door winter swag. A white hat, glue gun, fresh greenery, glass container, floral foam, bamboo skewers covered in green floral tape, pine cones, wood slice, tree decoration.

Instructions to make this winter decor idea

Begin by wrapping 6-8 bamboo skewers with green floral tape.

Covering the bamboo skewer with green floral tape

Glue various wood findings on to one end of each pick including snowflakes, Christmas trees, pine cones, and wood slices – whatever you have at home. Set the picks aside.

Secure the sides of the hat together by using a strong clothes pin and reinforcing with an elastic band. This will become the hanging hook for your decor.

attaching a safety pin to the bottom of the white winter hat.

Find a wide glass or plastic container which will fit snugly inside the hat. Glue some floral foam onto the bottom of the container to in sure that it stays in place.

Although you could use faux greenery and floral picks for this project I went outside and trimmed some Cedars from my backyard.

Start assembling your arrangement. Start with the greenery in larger packs. Make sure your arrangement is balanced from one side to the other.

Fill in with all of the decorative picks.

Filling silver container with fresh greenery and decorative picks.

Once you’re happy with arrangement, gently place it into the hat. Then hang an ornament such as a small birdhouse to the outside of the arrangement.

close up of decorative bird house decoration.

Hang your new front door swag and enjoy.

A white winter hat hanging from a glass door. The hat is filled with greenery and small decorative picks such as a snowflakes, trees, pine cones, wood slices and a birdhouse.

Since I used fresh greens I added a little bit of water into the container to help them last longer. This step is not necessary if you use faux greens or if you preferred just to switch out the greens once they dry out.

Close up of white winter hat with decorative pics, such as gold branches, pom pom and a pine cone.

And there you go: a simple winter decor idea inspired by cleaning of all things!

For additional winter decor ideas you may like these projects.

winter centerpiece idea — Upcycled Winter Centerpiece

This project originally appeared on Crafts by Amanda

Like it? Pin it for later!

DIY Front Door Swag Decor

Jane and Sonja

Add some personality and beauty to your front door with this upcycled winter hat swag idea!

5 from 1 vote

Print Instructions Pin Craft

Materials

Sturdy knit hat ideally reinforced with a lining
Safety pin and strong elastic band
Container about the same width as the hat opening
Floral foam
Hot glue gun with clear craft glue
Fresh or faux greenery
Decorative picks
Bamboo skewers covered in floral tape
Small birdhouse ornament
Small embellishments pine cones, wooden snowflakes, wood slices

Instructions

Begin by wrapping 6-8 bamboo skewers with green floral tape.
Glue various wood findings on to one end of each pick including snowflakes, Christmas trees, pine cones. Set aside.
Secure the side of the hat together by using a strong clothes pin and reinforcing with an elastic band.
Find a wide glass or plastic container which will fit snugly inside the hat. Glue some floral foam onto the bottom of the container.
Assemble your arrangement. Make sure it is balanced from one side to the other. Fill in with all of the decorative picks.
Place the arrangement in the the hat. Hang an ornament such as a small birdhouse to the outside of the arrangement.

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