![A DIY wood wreath with colorful lights and a red bow. A DIY wood wreath with colorful lights and a red bow.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-hero.jpg)
![Jaime Costiglio contributorImage](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/jaime-costiglio-headshot.jpg)
A Note From The Home Depot
Jaime Costiglio shares a fresh take on a traditional Holiday staple. Using painted wood and smart ShowHome outdoor holiday lights exclusive to The Home Depot, Jaime creates a not-so-average wreath that will transform any outdoor space for the season.
Holiday How-To’s: DIY Wood Wreath Cut Out
![A DIY wood wreath with a red bow and multi-colored lights. A DIY wood wreath with a red bow and multi-colored lights.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-image-1.jpg)
Let’s have fun with outdoor lights and make a magical holiday scene. This wood wreath cut out project is simple yet so effective because the lights do all the work. Imagine multiple wreaths lined up on your porch railing or hanging from your windows?
![A green wooden wreath with lights and a red bow. A green wooden wreath with lights and a red bow.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-image-2.jpg)
I love the marquee cartoon style of the flat painted wood wreath with the light bulbs sticking forwards. It’s whimsical, fresh and not your average holiday wreath. And bonus these lights are all controlled by the Holiday show home app so once you set up your wreaths everything is controlled from your phone.
Below you will find the step by step instructions to create this outdoor wreath. Please read through the steps entirely before beginning and always follow all safety precautions when using power tools. Note: one handy panel (2 x 4-ft.) piece of plywood can fit two wreaths.
Cut List:
- ¾-in. plywood — 23-in. diameter circle (wreath), with 11-in. diameter hole in center
Step 1
![A router sitting on top of a piece of wood and plywood. A router sitting on top of a piece of wood and plywood.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-image-3.jpg)
Using a router or jigsaw cut a 23-in. diameter circle from 3/4-in. PT plywood. If using a router and jig mark the plywood at 12-in. in from short side and 12-in. in from long side. Make a hole for nail. Create a circle jig and place nail into hole then swivel jig around nail.
![A person using a router on a piece of plywood. A person using a router on a piece of plywood.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-image-4.jpg)
Step 2
Once large 23-in. diameter circle is cut make a new nail hole in the jig for a 5 ½-in. radius circle. Place the nail through the new hole and into the center of the plywood circle then cut out the middle 11-in. diameter hole.
![A circle cut out of wood. A circle cut out of wood.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-image-5.jpg)
Step 3
![A hanging wire on the back of a wooden circle with a cut out center. A hanging wire on the back of a wooden circle with a cut out center.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-image-6.jpg)
Don’t paint yet. Attach (2) D ring hangers onto back upper portion and insert hanging wire through rings.
Step 4
![A wooden wreath cut out painted green with circles drawn in pencil. A wooden wreath cut out painted green with circles drawn in pencil.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-image-7.jpg)
Don’t paint yet. Place the bow in position and using a pencil make 24 circular marks for light bulb holes. Pay attention to D ring hardware on back and avoid marking holes over the hardware.
Step 5
![A person drills holes in a green wood wreath cut out. A person drills holes in a green wood wreath cut out.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-image-8.jpg)
Don’t paint yet. Using a 1 ¼-in. spade bit drill holes for lights where marked.
Step 6
![A paintbrush and green paint sitting on a wooden wreath cut out. A paintbrush and green paint sitting on a wooden wreath cut out.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-image-9.jpg)
Once all holes are drilled, paint the wreath. Use an outdoor green paint and let dry completely before moving onto the next step.
Step 7
![A person attaches light bulbs to a wooden wreath cut out of plywood. A person attaches light bulbs to a wooden wreath cut out of plywood.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-image-10.jpg)
Prop wreath edges up on scrap 2 x 4s. Using a staple gun and ½-in. staples place light bulbs down into hole and staple cords on either side. When installing the bulbs I suggest only stapling through 2 or 3 wires at a time to avoid stapling through the wires causing your lights to not work.
![Lights hang out of holes in a wood wreath cut out with cords on the backside. Lights hang out of holes in a wood wreath cut out with cords on the backside.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-image-11.jpg)
The 2 x 4s keep the front of the wreath off the table to allow for the light bulb to hang down while you are installing all the bulbs.
Step 8
![The back of a wood wreath cut out with zip tied cords. The back of a wood wreath cut out with zip tied cords.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-image-12.jpg)
After all the lights are installed go back through and attach zip ties to the hook portion of the light housing. Then secure the zip tie firmly to the back of the wreath using staples which keeps the bulb in the perfect position facing straight out. Without the zip tie the bulb is a bit wobbly.
Final DIY Wood Wreath
![A completed DIY wood wreath cut out with Christmas lights and a bow. A completed DIY wood wreath cut out with Christmas lights and a bow.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/diy-wood-wreath-cut-out-image-13.jpg)