How to Hang Christmas Wreaths on Exterior Windows
Learn how to hang Christmas wreaths on exterior windows the easy way, and make your outdoor decor look beautiful this holiday season!
After sharing our porch and exterior all decked out for Christmas in previous years, I ended up getting so many questions about how to hang wreaths on outdoor windows!
I feel kind of silly admitting this, but I put off hanging outdoor wreaths for a long time. I was intimidated. And I worried that the process would take a long time and become frustrating. But the method I used turned out to be SO incredibly easy! I thought I would put together a quick post to share the process.
While I was installing our wreaths, I learned that the “best” way to hang wreaths on windows probably varies based on what type of windows you have. The method I used won’t work for everyone. But don’t worry! There are several tried-and-true methods out there that are pretty simple to pull off.
Since this is the case, after I show you the method I used, I will also share some other suggestions I received from my friends on Instagram. That way you can have other options to try if your windows are different than mine.
The Easiest Way to Hang Christmas Wreaths Outdoors
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
Step 1- Gather Needed Supplies to Hang Christmas Wreaths
Here are the supplies I used to hang Christmas wreaths on exterior windows:
- 24″ wreaths, one for each window in the front of the house (I snagged mine at Hobby Lobby when they were 50% off. I only paid $5 per wreath!)
- Bows of choice (I found mine at Michael’s. Again, they were discounted, so I paid $1.50 per bow.)
- 22″ length of 2.5″ ribbon (I just used whatever I had on hand because it won’t show on the outside using this method.)
- Optional: green felt + a hot glue gun
Step 2- Thread the Ribbon Through the Wire on the Back of the Wreath
I simply flipped the wreath over and slid the ribbon through the wire until it was doubled over on itself.
Some people recommend hot glueing it in place. You can definitely do that if you’re worried about it moving around. I didn’t glue mine, and I didn’t have any problems with the wreath moving around. (And we live on a hill that gets pretty windy!)
Step 3- Attach the Bow
Then I flipped my wreath back over and attached the bow to the front. I chose to attach mine at the bottom, but the top would also work! Either way, make sure the bow is directly lined up with the ribbon.
If they are not lined up, the wreath will look like it is hanging crooked, and you will end up frustrated. (Not that I know this from experience or anything… 😉 )
Step 4- Add Felt to the Back of the Wreath
Last year we had a big wind storm, and my wreath ended up slicing a hole in the window screen. To prevent this going forward, I cut a piece of green felt to the size of my wreath and used hot glue to attach it to the back.
This will provide some extra protection and save my screens from damage.
Step 5- Open the Window and Place the Wreath
This is where the type of window you have comes into play. The bottom panes of our windows can hinge down from the top…
I apologize for the quality of the window photos– windows are incredibly difficult to photograph and show detail!
So I just flipped open the window, popped out the screen, and arranged the wreath the way I wanted it on the outside.
Step 6- Close the Window to Secure the Ribbon
Once I had arranged the wreath the way I wanted it, I simply popped the screen back into place and closed and latched my window. This held the ribbon tightly in place. My wreath was looking pretty on the outside of our house!
Step 7- Knot the Ribbon
Even though the wreath felt pretty secure already, I added some extra assurance by knotting the ribbon on the inside of the window. This ensured that the ribbon wouldn’t slip out or move, even if it became really windy outside.
I didn’t mind the small piece of ribbon showing inside the window. But if you want it to be more discreet, you could choose a ribbon in the same color as your window frame. You can also trim down the ends of the ribbon once you make the knot.
That’s it! Now all that is left to do is…
Step 8- Stand Back and Admire Your Work!
I repeated that same process on each of the front windows of our home. Then I had the beautiful outdoor Christmas wreaths I had imagined!
I was pleasantly surprised when this project actually ended up being easier than I expected it to be! And I’ll be able to use these same wreaths over and over in years to come. Yippee!
More Ways to Hang Outdoor Christmas Wreaths
If you don’t have a window that latches open from the middle, I polled my friends on Instagram to get some more ideas. I will include their alternate methods for hanging outdoor wreaths (and some easy sources) below:
- Use window suction cups with hooks. You can use a large suction cup for the top of the wreath and a smaller suction cup for the bottom.
- Hang the wreaths with a magnetic hook. One piece of the hook is on the outside of the window, and the other magnetic part holds it from the inside of the window.
- Use outdoor Command Hooks with the sticky backing (as opposed to the velcro ones).
- Use fishing line at the top and bottom of the wreath to hold it in place.
- If attaching the wreath with ribbon at the top of the window, you can use a thumb tack on the inside to hold it in place on the window frame.
- Tip: Add a little bit of felt to the back of the wreath so it doesn’t scratch the window.
I hope this gives you some ideas as you hang Christmas wreaths this holiday season!
Hang Outdoor Christmas Wreaths: Frequently Asked Questions
Planning to hang Christmas wreaths on your exterior windows this year? Be sure to pin the image below so you can refer to this post when you’re ready to hang them!
More Christmas Tutorials
Thank you so much for following along! Have a wonderful day!
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
I love how simple this is and yet it looks incredible. The house really shines with all those wreaths – just beautiful. I want to add some extra decorations this year and now I’m thinking about wreaths outside. I’ve never done more than one wreath on the front door. I’ll have to plan this and see how many I can add. Thanks for the inspiration.
So glad it was helpful for you!
~Abby =)
I absolutely LOVE this look but have never known how to do it! I’m going to be trying it this year.
Yay! So glad it was helpful for you, Alexis! It really was a lot easier than I was expecting!
~Abby =)
Thank you so much for doing a post about this!
So glad it was helpful for you, Allyson! Happy Monday! <3
~Abby =)
Double the hanger ribbon (per instructions) and pinthe open ends together….insert a small dowel (1/4 “ x2”) between the pinned ribbon and hang the wreath per your instructions. This way the dowel will not let the ribbon fall through the window and you won’t have that bow sitting on the inside window…just measure how much hanger ribbon you need to the dowel and all will be uniform. Been doing this for years and it’s so easy…and looks great.
Love this idea! Thanks, Louise!
~Abby =)
Love this idea for window wreaths. Time for my husband to stop doing it with a ladder 🙂 Question: what color paint is in the room that you showed how to attach the wreath to the window. Love it and would like to see if it works in my home. Thanks!
Hi, Karen! It is Sherwin Williams Rainwashed. I LOVE it! 🙂
~Abby =)
Your house looks darling! I love the wreaths on the windows! Thanks for all of your great tips!
Aw, thanks so much, Michelle! So glad they were helpful for you! Have a great week! <3
~Abby =)
I love the tip of adding felt so the wreath doesn’t scratch the windows. Can’t wait for Christmas!
You and me both! 🙂 Such a fun time of year!
~Abby =)
How do you add the felt do you glue it?
I didn’t add felt to mine, but if I was going to, I would probably use hot glue! Have a great day, Mona!
I love this holiday look so much! We do not have those windows that we can pop open and would have to use a ladder outside. Totally worth it to get the look though.
Thanks so much, Becca! Hope you’re having a great week! <3
~Abby =)
I am definitely gonna use for my house. Thank you for this.
So glad it was helpful for you! Have a great weekend! 🙂
~Abby =)
This is exactly how we have been hanging out upstairs wreaths for the past several years. They stay put and it’s so easy. I’m glad that I’m not the only one doing it this way, haha. I always ask myself if there is a better/easier way, but the one window where we hang a wreath from a screw imbedded in the mortar, it rocks and bangs up against the window in the wind…and that’s annoying bc it’s our bedroom window, but we have to do it that way bc of the size of that window. For all others, this way is definitely the best. Just don’t forget to label your window screens….even if windows look the same size, they aren’t…and you can bend the screens when you try to shove the wrong one in place (whoops) haha.
That is a good tip, Sarah! Thanks for sharing! Have a great week! <3
~Abby =)
I just read a blog where the lady attached fishing line to the bottom of the wreath and secured it to the house, so it wouldn’t swing. 🙂
So is the wreath hanging on top of the screen?
Yes, it is on top of the screen. 🙂
Just a comment I did this the exact same way and put the screen back in. Where I live it sometimes gets windy and I ended up having to replace my screens at 90.00 a pop. The wreath had damaged the screen. Just in case your worried about your screens. I know take them out completely until after the holidays.
Do you put the screen back with the wreath ? Or do you take the careen completely out? Also how do you put the felt on the back of the wreath so it will not scratch your window ?
I left my screens in so that the wreath didn’t sit against the window glass. I didn’t use felt on mine, but you could probably attach it with super glue.
This is a great idea ; I’ve always used suction cups and that works well too. I have the same windows but noticed over the years my screens are getting rub marks and now have to be replaced .
Thanks, Karen! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
From your picture, it looks like you have half-screens? My windows tilt in like yours but I have full screens so would have to hang my wreaths from the top, which could be tricky because of the interior blinds.
You are correct– our screen only covers the bottom pane of the window that is able to open. You could take your screens out for the holiday season since you won’t likely be leaving your windows open anyway? Or you could try the fishing line method, where you tie fishing line to the bottom and the top of the wreath, and then it could go around the screen? Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Could you explain this method a little more? I too have full screen and tilted windows.
Hi, Scott! Our screen is only on the bottom half of our window, so if your screen covers your full window, you may need to one of the other methods listed at the bottom of this post. Hope you’re having a great week!
What size are your wreaths?
Hi, Ursula! As I mentioned in the post, they are 24″. Hope you have a great week!
How do you prevent the metal ring of the wreath from scratching up the window and frame? Do you put some kind of padding on it?
Our wreaths are actually outside of the screen, so they don’t touch the window at all. They haven’t damaged the screens either, and I believe this is the 4th year I’ve done it this way. If you were worried about it, you could glue felt to the back of the wreath to keep the metal frame from hitting anything directly.
These are beautiful! Do you have to use outdoor ribbon for the bow? I’m having a semi-difficult time finding outdoor ribbon. Thanks!
Hi, Becky! I didn’t specifically buy outdoor bows. I used the ones in these photos for two years and could have used them longer as they were in fine condition. I think they were only $1 or so each? The only reason I replaced them was that my neighbor made me some new bows that were cuter! 🙂 She didn’t use ribbon that was specifically for outdoor use either, and those are holding up well too, even in the PA winters! Hope you’re having a great week!
Thank you so much for your reply! I appreciate the information.
Hi All:
My wife made our bows and didn’t use outdoor ribbon. We spray them with scotch guard every year and have used them for the past 12 years. Thy still look great.
Love this! Thank you. Do you know what size bows you use?
Hi, Krista! My neighbor made the bows for me. I would say that they are about 6-8″ across? Hope you’re having a great week!
Did your ribbon have wired edges? Wondering if wired edge ribbon would prevent the window from closing tightly enough?
Hi, Lauren! The ribbon I used for the top of the wreath does not have a wired edge. But the wire in wired ribbon is so tiny that I don’t think it would be a problem.
I love your tutorial on how to hang wreaths – you made it so simple. Thank You! I plan to install mine with your method, but was wondering if it’s possible to open/crack the windows for air once the knots and wreaths are in place? Wouldn’t that cause them to shift?
I haven’t actually tried that, so I’m not sure. We live in Pennsylvania where it is really cold in the winter, so we wouldn’t want to have the windows open during the months that the wreaths are up anyway. I only do the wreaths on the front windows, so if for some reason we needed to air out the house, we’d just open the ones on the sides and in the back. Hope you’re having a great week!
THANK YOU! That was so incredibly easy. Six wreaths hung, and done!
Merry Christmas,
Paulette
Yay! So glad it was helpful for you, Paulette! Have a great week! <3
~Abby =)
I am going to use duck tape on the metal part of the wreath, to protect the window and screen.
Thanks for sharing that tip, Deb! Have a great week!
~Abby =)