This DIY bird feeder wreath idea is simple and classic – a different twist on the once so popular popcorn and cranberry strings on trees.
DIY Bird Feeder Wreath Supplies:
- Wire wreath form (I used an 8″ form. You can get these at craft stores.)
- Fishing line or stout thread
- Long needle with a fairly small eye
- Floral wire (optional)
- Scissors
- 1 package cranberries
- About 4 cups popped popcorn
- For the sake of birds’ health, use unsalted, unbuttered popcorn only. It’s best to use air-popped popcorn with minimal added oils. If you use pre-packaged microwave popcorn, choose only “Plain” or “Natural”.
Author’s Note: I had several readers who commented they were concerned about the use of fishing line in this project. I actually chose it over thread because it is very strong and much less likely to break or come loose and get tangled in bird bills or feet. Fishing line usually causes problems when it is loose and a bird becomes tangled in it, such as when a fisher discards a broken line along the shore instead of in the trash. Fishing line is actually pretty hard to break, and if tightly tied around the wreath is unlikely to cause problems for the birds. However, if you are concerned about using fishing line, use strong thread instead.
DIY Bird Feeder Wreath Instructions:
- I found it was easiest to work in shorter sections around the form. Cut a three-foot length of fishing line and knot it to the wire wreath form. Thread the needle and begin stringing the popcorn and cranberries. I used three popcorn kernels, then one cranberry, and so on.
- Once you have about a foot of popcorn and cranberry strung, carefully wrap it around the wreath form. Continue stringing and wrapping until you reach the end of the line. Tie it off firmly to the wreath form.
- Repeat steps one and two until you have covered the wire form.
- If you like, you can use any leftover cranberries to create a “bow” at the top. Cut a length of floral wire about 3 feet long. String it with cranberries, twist into a bow shape, and attach with additional wire at the top of the wreath.
- Use floral wire to add a hanging loop to the top of the wreath, and hang it out for wildlife to enjoy!
jerrie says
This is so neat as I have birds sitting on my artificial wreaths all the time what joy for them to find food on one.
Barbara says
Easier: Make popcorn balls, but instead of balls, stick it to the frame.
Phyllis Ireland says
Love the wreath – plan to make one. Thank you for the clever ideas.
Cathy says
I wouldn’t recommend trout lines. A bird’s claw could get tangled and the lines might be too tough to chew off. I have seen birds with fishing lines caught around their legs and even have lost one foot.
Paula Jaunese says
Love this idea. We are off to get supplies
Josephine Evatt says
Don’t put butter on the popcorn for the health of the birds? And we put out lard for them? Suet!!
Jill says
Josephine – The “butter” on microwave popcorn is not real butter; it’s a chemical additive. You can melt real butter and add it if you like, but that will make the popcorn harder to handle.
debbie says
i’m certainly going to to try this..think its a great treat!!
James Meyer says
Great post. Love it!
Sue Bauer says
Can’t you please come up with something besides fishing line to assemble this wreath? I shudder at the thought of one of the birds getting tangled up in the fishing line………….
diana deutsch says
good idea !
Marjo de Weijer says
Thank you, it looks easy to make. Hope the birds here, the Netherlands, will like it too.
My Complaint says
Great job. this really wonderful idea. Thanks.
Karen P. says
what about using heavy duty sewing thread then? Could a bird chew that apart if necessary? Could a fine wire cause problems? I agree the plastic fishing line can cause problems.
Patricia Larsen says
I wonder if you could use the straw wreaths and put the popcorn on with just a dab of hot glue….
Diane Craven says
I will use a straw wreath and use peanut butter to hold the popcorn and cranberries. Hope it works.
vickie says
I was going to suggest the same Diane! ( great minds….lol
Tumbleweed Contessa says
I just adore this idea! I have featured it here at my Weekly Rays of Sunshine: http://www.tumbleweedcontessa.com/blog/weekly-rays-of-sunshine-5-and-family-favorite-holiday-sides/
ceashels says
Very pretty. I like the peanut butter idea. Do you think a soft/slightly melted suet would work as a binder to hold the popcorn and cranberries to the wire frame?
cm cronin says
Very pretty but FYI..birds do not eat Cranberries….I am the daughter of an Ocean Spray cranberry grower and it is a fact tha birds do not eat cranberries….they’ll eat the popcorn but will leave the berries…if they did eat cranberries you would see the bogs here covered in birds ravaging the berries & the growers would have to put nets over the bogs…nope…http://www.birdwatchersgeneralstore.com/Hollyberries.htm please read this article…thanks for letting me voice a comment….
vickie says
How about blue berries and orange slices…
vickie says
I would also use some peanuts
Marcy says
Great gift for the bird lover! Please plan on this craft to take you at least 6 hours. It takes awhile to tie the strands to the wreath. It also is challenging stringing the popcorn without it breaking off. However, the final result is beautiful. My Dad loved the gift!
Sarah Young says
A fingerweight yarn might be a good substitute for the fishing line.
Janice Klingler says
What about quilting thread? Or perhaps 2 or three strings of embroidery thread. i would like that better yet.
Janet Ensign says
We had already planned to string cranberries and popcorn to put on our outside christmas tree this year. We bought darning needles, cranberries and will pop the corn a couple days before stringing so it is easier to string than when it is crisp and fresh. We are going to use dental floss to string with and will watch to make sure it doesn’t cause a problem. If we have any doubts then we will use embroidery thread.
Darlene Clemensen says
I love the look of the popcorn and cranberry wreath. I like the glue idea. Is there anything in the glue that can hurt the birds? One would not have to use much. I’d like to hear about any dangers with the glue. Thank you.
lou says
fine wire or fishing line can also be caught in mouth. we should be careful and see things from the birds’ perspective. first do no harm.
Gita says
i like it
Annette says
Try light weight crochet cotton/ kite string or dental floss rather then fishing line. These two worked well for stringing flowers for lei’s as well and it is bio degradable too. So it should work great for this project as well.
Betty Perkins says
I have heard that popcorn is not good for birds because of the kernels. What are your thoughts?
Heidi says
No one eats the cranberries.