Recycled Christmas Wreath Art Project for Elementary Students

Wreaths have a special significance for the holiday season. According to http://www.holidayinsights.com/xmas/wreaths.htm:

Wreaths have been used as a decorative sign of Christmas for hundreds and hundreds of years. Christmas wreaths can adorn any part of your home, inside or out. In many homes, this symbol of growth and everlasting life can be found both inside and out. It is common to find a number of wreaths on doors, over the mantle, or hung in windows.

The wreath is made of evergreens, most often pine branches or holly. They can be real or artificial. But, an artificial one just doesn't smell the same as a real wreath. It is decorated with a variety of items including pine cones, holly berries, fruits, and just about anything you can imagine.

The wreath has significant meaning for the season. It's circular shape represents eternity, for it has no beginning and no end. From a christian religious perspective, it represents an unending circle of life. The evergreen, most frequently used in making wreathes, symbolizes growth and everlasting life. Holly branches have thorns. When used in a wreath it represents the thorn on Jesus' crown when he was crucified. Bright red holly berries symbolize Jesus' blood that was shed for us.

Today, it is sometimes hard to remember the real meaning of Christmas. We get all caught up in the hype of Santa and his arrival. The wreath over the hearth brings a warmth to our hearts as we stop to reflect upon the true meaning of this very special day. 

This is one of my favorite holiday art projects because it utilizes common materials in an unusual way, recycles material, and it is simple enough for kids to do (mostly) on their own.

Materials:
1 small or large paper plate for each student
1 bow pattern traced on red construction paper
Scraps of green paper
Glue stick or liquid glue
Red paint
Glitter (optional)
Scissors

Preparation:
Cut the center out of a paper plate (1 for each student)
Gather paper in many shades of green (I collect all year round)
  * Leftover flyers from notices that were sent home (print on paper is okay)
  *Wrapping paper scraps
  *Construction paper from your scrap box
  *Scraps of wide ribbon
Tear paper into 1 to 1-1/2 inch strips

Students get several different strips of green paper and tear them into approximately 1 to 1-1/2 inch pieces.
They then glue the pieces onto the paper plate until plate is completely covered. Pieces should stick out past the edges of the plate.
Next the red bow shape is cut out and glued on.
Finally the student dips his/her index finger into red paint and then presses it on to the wreath several times to represent holly berries.
Optional: Put some glitter on the wreath and/or bow.

Finished Wreaths