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Transform Potted Evergreens Into Front Porch Holiday Gnomes
Festive up your front porch by turning potted evergreen trees into a pair of holiday gnomes that are as cute as they are Christmassy.
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This holiday season, giving your front door a fun and festive makeover will be gnome problem! While mass-produced exterior decorations might not fit your style, these potted planter gnomes will add a playful perk-up to your home’s exterior and can be completed in just an afternoon.
Materials Needed
- potted evergreen tree
- white garbage bags
- polyester pillow stuffing
- flesh-tone stretch fabric
- wide decorative ribbon
- scissors
- craft wire
- chicken wire
- wire cutters
- protective gloves
Cut and Secure Chicken Wire
Wrap chicken wire around the base of the tree, overlapping both the tree and the planter, then cut it to size using wire cutters (Image 1). Cut short pieces of craft wire and weave them through both sides of the chicken wire to hold it securely around the pot (Image 2). Tightly twist the wires to close.
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Craft Gnome's Beard
The gnome’s iconic white beard will be crafted using white trash bags. Lay out six folded trash bags and cut off their sides and tops (Images 1 & 2). Cut the bags along the seam, fold them in half and cut them into approximately 1-1/2-inch strips (Images 3 & 4). Each cut will produce two strips.
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Assemble Gnome’s Beard
If you have kids, this is a great step for them to tackle. Starting at the top of the planter pot, loop the plastic strips through the chicken wire and pull the loose ends through, tightening to secure (Images 1-3). Continue this step until you’ve covered the front side of the tree in a tapered pattern that resembles a pointy beard, leaving a 4-inch band of exposed chicken wire at the top for the hatband (Image 4).
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Make Hatband
Cut a piece of wide ribbon that's slightly longer than the diameter of your tree, then wrap it around the exposed chicken wire and overlap the ends in the back (Image 1). Use wire to secure it (Image 2).
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Create Gnome's Nose
To make a puffy gnome nose, begin by cutting a small piece of craft wire. Wrap a small piece of fabric stuffing with the flesh-toned fabric and use the wire to cinch it closed. Use craft wire to attach the nose to the chicken wire just under the hatband. Tip: The more bulbous and irregular the nose looks, the better.
Add Pom-Pom to Hat
To create the hat's pom-pom top, cut a section of ribbon and fold it over on itself six times (Images 1 & 2). While holding the ribbon in the center, fan out the pieces and fold the two sides together to create a pom-pom (Image 3). Use a small piece of wire to hold it together, then use a second piece of wire to attach the pom-pom to the very top of your tree to resemble the tip of a pointed hat (Image 4).
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