To continue on with our handmade holiday, I decided to create this rustic DIY star anise Christmas wreath on a whim. I was in between projects and thought this would be a cute addition to our decor, and a wonderful unique project to share for seasonal decor and the cutest gift toppers!
The best part is rustic star anise Christmas wreath is as tiny as the palm of my hand, making it a quick craft to add a festive touch to your weekend.
If you have been following along, we are embracing a simple holiday season, focusing on bringing natural elements inside to use as our Christmas decorations.
What is Star Anise?
Star anise is a spice that comes from the fruit of the Illicium verum plant, which is native to China and other parts of Asia. It is known for its distinctive star-shaped appearance and has a licorice-like flavor. The spice is commonly used in cooking, particularly in Asian cuisines, to add a unique and aromatic taste to various dishes. It is also commonly used in crafts and aromatic projects such as simmer pots.
I’ve included star anise in both my fall simmer pot, and Christmas simmer pot recipe.
Where to get Star Anise?
You can usually get star anise from your local bulk food store or even a specialty food store. If you can’t find them locally you can purchase them here from Amazon.
Whole Star Anise
Whole star anise for your holiday season crafting.
What You Need to Make a DIY Star Anise Wreath
Star Anise: Star anise is the main decorative element of the wreath. It is the star of the show to make this beautiful wreath (no pun intended).
Floral Wire: The floral wire serves as the structural base of the wreath. It provides a framework for attaching the star anise and helps shape the wreath. The wire is flexible and can be easily molded into a circular shape. It is an inexpensive way to create a mini wreath form.
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks: The hot glue gun is used to attach the star anise to the floral wire. It provides a quick and secure way to affix the star anise to the wreath base. The hot glue creates a strong bond that ensures the star anise stay in place.
Ribbon: The ribbon serves a dual purpose. It can be used to create a decorative bow that adds a finishing touch to the wreath. Additionally, the ribbon can be attached to the wreath for hanging purposes, allowing you to display the wreath on a door, wall, or any other desired location. I like to use a small velvet ribbon or linen ribbon.
How to Make an Easy DIY Star Anise Wreath
Prepare the Star Anise: Ensure that you have as many full anise stars as possible. If needed, use some that only have a few points that are missing.
Create a Wreath Base: Take the floral wire and shape it into a circle to form the base of your wreath. You can determine the size of the wreath by bending and shaping the wire accordingly. Wrap the wire around a few times to create a strong base.
Attach the Star Anise: Using the hot glue gun, apply a small amount of hot glue to the back of each star anise. Press the glued side of the star anise onto the floral wire wreath base. Continue attaching star anise around the entire hoop, positioning them closely together as you go.
Build Layers: For a fuller anise star wreath, you can create multiple layers. Simply glue a second layer on top of the first, slightly offsetting the placement to create depth.
Add Ribbon: Cut a length of ribbon to create a bow or a loop for hanging on the wall or Christmas tree. Attach the ribbon to the top of the wreath using hot glue. If you’re making a bow, you can also attach it to the bottom center of the wreath.
Secure and Reinforce: Ensure that all the star anise are securely attached to the wreath base. If needed, add extra glue to reinforce any loose pieces.
Allow to Dry: Let the wreath dry completely before handling or hanging it.
Hang and Display: Once the wreath is dry, you can hang it on your door, wall, or use it as a decorative element in your home.
