A homemade poinsettia ball is easy to assemble and looks lovely when hung from a silk ribbon as a Christmas kissing ball.
Here’s an easy how-to guide for creating this pretty Christmas decoration using a six-inch foam ball, silk or fabric poinsettia blooms, hot glue and a ribbon hanger:
You Will Need:
- 6-inch foam ball (Amazon)
- Silk or faux poinsettia blooms (Amazon). Tip: I used 35 poinsettias, approximately 4″ across)
- Ribbon (for the hanger)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Wire cutter – Amazon (only needed if your blooms have thicker wire stems; otherwise, old scissors may also work)
- Scissors
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Project Instructions:
- Gather Your Materials: The star of the show here is, of course, the poinsettias. Traditionally red, as I used in this Feather and Poinsettia Christmas Tree, they are also stunning in glittering silver or gold, or any color available that suits your Christmas theme or decor.
- Prepare the Poinsettias: You may already have floral poinsettias left over from Christmases past; consider reusing them for this project. If your poinsettia blooms have wire stems, use old scissors or wire cutters to trim them down to about 1.5 to 2 inches. You can also use poinsettias without wires.
- Insert Wire Stems: Take one of your poinsettias and fully insert the wire stem into the foam ball. Check that it holds securely; if you’re unsure, add a dab of hot glue for extra stability.
- Attach Poinsettias with Hot Glue: For blooms without wire stems, apply hot glue to the base of each bloom then press it firmly into place on the foam ball.
- Cover the Foam Ball: Continue attaching poinsettias until the entire ball is covered. Mix and match colors if you have different shades of poinsettias.
- Positioning: Periodically check the overall look of your poinsettia ball. If you have any gaps, fill them in with smaller blooms or individual petals.
- Attach the Ribbon: Cut a length of ribbon to twice the desired size for a hanger. Fold the ribbon in half and create a loop. Insert the looped end into a spot at the top of your foam ball, securing with hot glue. Although the poinsettia ball is relatively lightweight, make sure the ribbon is firmly attached. Any excess glue should be well hidden by the adjacent poinsettias.
- Finishing Touches: Once you’re satisfied with the arrangement, knot the ends of the ribbon and trim any excess ribbon away.
Now you have made a beautiful poinsettia ball ready for hanging. Use it as the central focus of a Christmas garland or hang it near an entry door, as you might a traditional sprig of mistletoe. It is a kissing ball, after all.
Variations:
Try using different colors or shades of poinsettias for variety and interest or simply for coordination with your chosen Christmas theme.
After completing the poinsettia kissing ball, If you have any blooms left over, add them to a homemade wreath or even to your Christmas tree to tie the overall look together.
Michael’s Poinsettia Kissing Ball
Michael’s has a similar poinsettia ball project to mine using traditional red poinsettias.
You may also like our article on Poinsettia Care, to keep your live poinsettias healthy and beautiful, or learn how to use paint poinsettias on a sand dollar seashell. This seashell craft includes a free printable of the sand dollar legend.
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