DIY Scrabble Tile Grapevine Wreath Christmas Ornament: Easy Handmade Holiday Decor & Gift Idea

As the air begins to cool and the leaves change, a familiar excitement starts to bubble – the Christmas spirit is undeniably arriving! While we deeply cherish the quiet reflection and gratitude that Thanksgiving brings (and rest assured, we’ll be sharing plenty of easy decorating ideas and delicious recipes for your Thanksgiving celebrations, just as we do every year), there’s an undeniable magic about preparing for Christmas. One of the best ways to embrace this festive season early is by diving into easy crafts and handmade gifts. Starting your holiday projects a little ahead of time allows you to truly savor the process and enjoy the holiday season without a last-minute rush, creating beautiful, personalized items that add warmth and charm to your home.

Embracing the Holiday Spirit with Handmade Ornaments

There’s something incredibly special about adorning your Christmas tree with homemade ornaments. Each piece tells a story, carrying the unique touch of the creator and evoking cherished memories year after year. As a passionate advocate for simple, homemade Christmas ornaments – which you can explore here alongside many other seasonal projects – I was thrilled at the opportunity to participate in a fantastic 2-week-long ornament exchange. This grand event brought together over 80 talented bloggers, showcasing a wonderful array of both intricately crafted ornament tutorials and clever store-bought ornament ideas. It’s a wonderful way to gather inspiration, share creativity, and connect with a community of fellow DIY enthusiasts.

To truly immerse yourself in the wealth of ideas, you can easily discover all the enchanting ornaments shared by visiting the main hosting blog at My Pinterventures 2015 Ornament Exchange. And for an immediate dose of inspiration, you’ll find links to the other wonderful bloggers who are unveiling their creative ornament projects today, right at the end of this very post. This collaborative event is a treasure trove for anyone looking to add a personal, handcrafted touch to their holiday decorations.

Crafting Your Own Scrabble Tile Grapevine Wreath Ornament

For this exciting ornament exchange, I was paired with Karen from Gardenchick. Knowing that Karen shares my love for gardening and has a keen eye for repurposed items, I wanted to create something that beautifully combined these interests. The idea of using a small grapevine wreath instantly clicked, offering a natural, rustic charm that gardeners adore. To add a personalized and unique touch, I incorporated Scrabble tiles salvaged from an old game that, like many household games with active kids around, had lost a few too many pieces (a common and humorous hazard of raising children, wouldn’t you agree?). This project is wonderfully simple, yet incredibly rewarding, allowing for delightful personalization. You can spell out festive words like “JOY,” “NOEL,” or “PEACE,” or even use first or last names for a truly bespoke gift. Your imagination is the only limit, along with, of course, the letters available in your Scrabble tile collection!

Scrabble Tile Grapevine Wreath Ornament Tutorial: A Step-by-Step Guide

Gathering your materials is the first exciting step in any DIY project. For your convenience, I’ve included affiliate links for some of the supplies, meaning if you click and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue sharing creative projects!

Supplies Needed (note: affiliate links included for your information):

• 3-inch Natural Grapevine Wreath: These small wreaths are perfect for ornaments, providing a rustic and organic base. Their intertwined branches offer a wonderful texture.
• Acrylic Craft Paint in Desired Color & Craft Paint Brush: I chose elegant gold and shimmering silver to add a festive touch, but you can pick any color that complements your holiday decor.
• Narrow (1/4-inch) Ribbon in Desired Color: A thin ribbon works best for weaving and creating delicate bows. I used cheerful apple green and classic white for a fresh look.
• Scrabble Tiles: If you don’t have an old game you can repurpose, you can often purchase just the tiles online, making this a very accessible craft.
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks: Essential for securely attaching the tiles and ribbon. Always exercise caution when using a hot glue gun.
• Scissors: For cleanly cutting your ribbon.

1. Prepare Your Wreath with Paint: Begin by applying a light coat of acrylic craft paint to your grapevine wreath. A light hand is key here; you want to enhance the natural texture of the grapevine, not obscure it entirely. This subtle touch of color will make your ornament pop. Allow the paint to dry completely before moving on to the next step. Depending on your paint and environment, this might take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.
2. Weave the Ribbon for Hanger and Accent: Cut a generous piece of your chosen narrow ribbon, roughly 15-20 inches long. Start by leaving a long portion (about 5-6 inches) at the beginning – this will form the top loop for hanging your ornament. Now, carefully weave the rest of the ribbon around the grapevine wreath. Thread it in and out of the branches, ensuring it’s snug but not too tight, creating a charming, integrated look. Continue weaving until the ribbon meets its starting point. Securely tie the two ends together close to the wreath, then tie the longer initial piece with the remaining woven end to form a sturdy loop hanger. Trim any excess ribbon ends at an angle for a neat finish.
3. Plan Your Personalization and Bow: Cut a smaller piece of ribbon, approximately 5 inches long, and tie it into a pretty little bow. Trim the ends of this bow at an angle for a polished appearance. Now, comes the fun part – arranging your Scrabble tiles! Lay out the tiles to spell your desired word (e.g., “JOY,” “NOEL,” “LOVE,” or a name). Experiment with the spacing and positioning on the wreath until you are happy with the arrangement. This planning stage is crucial to ensure your word fits beautifully and is centered.
4. Assemble with Hot Glue: With your bow tied and your tiles arranged, it’s time to bring it all together. Using your hot glue gun, apply a small dab of glue to the back of your bow and affix it to the top of the wreath, just below where your hanger ribbon emerges. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure it adheres securely. Next, one by one, apply a small amount of hot glue to the back of each Scrabble tile and carefully press it onto the wreath, following your pre-determined spacing. Work efficiently but precisely, as hot glue sets quickly. Once all tiles are in place, give it a final check to ensure everything is secure and centered.

That’s it! Isn’t the finished product simply delightful? The combination of the natural grapevine, the pop of paint, and the personal message of the Scrabble tiles creates an ornament that is both rustic and refined, timeless and unique.

Personalize Your Christmas: The Charm of Scrabble Tile Ornaments

This particular project stands out for its simplicity and versatility. It’s such an easy craft that it’s perfect for engaging kids and even larger groups, provided you have a sufficient supply of Scrabble tiles. Imagine a crafting party where everyone makes their own personalized ornament – a truly memorable activity! These ornaments aren’t just for your own tree; they make incredibly thoughtful and unique handmade gifts. A personalized “JOY” or “NOEL” ornament given to a friend, or an ornament featuring a family name, shows an extra layer of care and creativity that store-bought items simply can’t match. They become cherished keepsakes, adding a touch of sentimental value to any holiday decor collection.

Are you beginning to feel the festive anticipation for Christmas yet? Perhaps crafting a fun, easy ornament like this is just the spark you need to fully embrace the season. It’s a wonderful way to kick off your holiday preparations, adding a personal touch to your home or creating heartfelt gifts for loved ones. Don’t forget, the inspiration doesn’t stop here! Be sure to visit the other incredibly talented participants in today’s ornament exchange. Each blogger brings their unique style and creative vision, offering a diverse collection of ideas that are sure to inspire your own holiday crafting adventures. Happy crafting, and may your holiday season be filled with joy, creativity, and beautiful handmade memories!

Join the Holiday Crafting Fun: Explore More Ornament Ideas!

Discover even more inspiring ornament tutorials and holiday craft ideas from these amazing bloggers participating in the 2015 Ornament Exchange:

Love My Messy Messy Mess

Lexi Michelle Blog

Made in a Day

Home on the Corner

B is 4

Where The Smiles Have Been

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