How to Make a Christmas Pancake Wreath

Glistening snow. Family gatherings. ALL the Decorations. Glitter. Presents. Magic and Merriment. There’s a reason they call this season the most wonderful time of the year. And why not make it even more wonderful with a sweet and silly Christmas pancake wreath?

Waiting until closer to Christmas to make this wreath? Save this tutorial on Pinterest.

Why Pancake Wreaths are Great for Winter Holidays

Along with living in a home that is overflowing with decorations, I am so lucky to live in a place that often gets snow on Christmas. Some of my favorite Christmases have been ones that felt like I was living in a snow globe!

BUT, if you’re not from Michigan or anywhere else that experiences winters, let me tell ya’ll – they can be beautiful, but also seriously harsh. From average lows in the teens and twenties to blistery winds, ice storms and feet of snow – an extra layer of protection is necessary. Storm doors are common in areas that experience this type of weather around the winter holidays. That’s why the pancake wreath is especially great for winter holidays! Because the pancake wreath is so thin, it fits between the front door and storm door – and stays better protected from the elements. You’ll see in this picture below, just how thin the wreath actually is!

No matter where you live or what type of door – or doors – you have, you can enjoy the benefits of the pancake wreath. It has a super sleek style, uses fewer materials than deco mesh wreaths and, despite how thin it is, still has the ability to hold signs, florals, ribbons, bows and sprays. That means you can still go all out on the snowflake prints, Christmas signs and, of course, big gorgeous bows!

In this Christmas pancake wreath tutorial, we’re using an ADORABLE gingerbread sign and some sparkly, festive ribbon that goes perfectly with the sign. I cannot wait to hang this one!

Christmas Pancake Wreath Supplies

Here are the supplies you need to make the Christmas wreath similar to the one I made in this tutorial. The supply list is pretty generic, meaning you can easily switch out the sign and choose any type of decorative ribbon and deco mesh to make something completely different with the same set of directions!

• 14-inch pancake wreath frame – patent pending
• 10-inch wide deco mesh –jute with white and red foil stripes
• Two 2.5-inch ribbons for the tails– red gingerbread and polka dots with stripes
• Two 1.5-inch ribbons for the bow – white gingerbread and solid green
• One 2.5-inch ribbon for the bow – polka dot
• Oh Snap! Gingerbread sign

You can purchase the pancake wreath frame patent pending bundle at thepancakeframe.com. The bundle comes with three pieces – that’s right, you get three products in one! You get a 14-inch frame, a 10-inch frame and a sign extender. We’ll only be using the 14-inch frame for this tutorial, but check out Sincerely Creative Mom on YouTube to watch tutorials on using both products.

Christmas Pancake Wreath Instructions

This is my first Christmas making a Christmas pancake wreath with my very own (patent pending) wreath frame! I was so excited to make new creations on a product I created! Stinkin’ cute Christmas wreaths and my very own wreath frame? What a gift!!

I hope you enjoy making this gingerbread wreath just as much as I did.

Wreath Prep Work:

Before getting started making the pancake wreath, you’ll want to prep your materials so you can dive right into making this adorable wreath! Prep includes the following steps:

• Cut two 2.5-inch ribbons into 12 pieces that are 14-inches long. You’ll have 24 ribbon tails total.
• Cut 12 pieces of mesh 20-inches long.
• Add zip tie mounts to the back of your sign. The put pipe cleaners through the mounts. You can also staple pipe cleaners to the back of your sign (this is what I prefer). Just make sure the staples don’t go through the front of the sign.

Step 1: Add pipe cleaners to your frame.

Put your pipe cleaners through the holes in the middle of the ring and wrap them around the corresponding notch – cut along the inner ring and outer ring. Twist the pipe cleaners tight.

There are 6 notches on the inside and 6 on the outside. 12 pipe cleaners total.

Step 2: Ruffle and attach your mesh clusters on the outer ring.

Lay each piece of mesh flat and scrunch it as you pull it toward you, ruffling up the center. Pinch the center of the mesh ruffle – it’ll kind of look like butterfly. Then lay the ruffle between the arms of each pipe cleaner on the outer ring and twist the pipe cleaner to secure. Overlap the ends of the ruffle, so it makes a circle. Then flip down any ruffles coming up so they stay flat like a pancake.

Step 3: Attach your ribbon tails.

Stack one ribbon tail design on top of the other, fold into a v shape, then lay over the center of your mesh cluster. Twist the pipe cleaner over the center of the v to secure. The tails should be pointing toward the edge. Pull the ribbons up and down and over to separate them, so you can see both designs. Keep the pattern of the ribbon designs the same around the entire wreath.

Step 4: Cut off your excess pipe cleaners

Cut off any excess pipe cleaners from the outer ring clusters and tails.

Step 5: Repeat steps 2-4 on the inner ring.

Ruffle and attach your mesh clusters along the inner ring, on top of the first layer of clusters. Then add your ribbon tails.

Step 6: Make your bow.

Take your final 2.5-inch ribbon and measure a 7-inch bow tail. Then make a 6-inch loop, then two more loops. Make loops by looping, pinching then twisting. The first layer will have three loops – two loops on one side and one loop (with two tails) on the other.

Next take your 1.5-inch, solid color ribbon. Measure a tail that is just a little bit shorter than the previous layer. You’ll have the same number of loops for each layer, but alternate the number of loops and tails per side. So, if the first layer has two loops on the right side, the second layer will have two loops on the left side.

Make one final layer with the other 1.5-inch ribbon. Make one extra loop – a center loop, about 3 inches, then follow the same instructions as the first two layers for the rest of the loops.

Dovetail the bow tails. Then scrunch the layers together and zip tie around the center of the bundle. Cut the excess zip tie then wrap a pipe cleaner around the bundle over the zip tie.

Step 7: Fluff your bow.

Take the center loop up and over the center of the bow, over the zip tie and pipe cleaner, fluff out and separate the layers so you can see all of the layers. Put the longest pieces – the tails – going out toward the bottom of the wreath. Set the bow aside.

Step 8: Attach your sign.

Push the pipe cleaners attached to the back of the sign through the mesh and around the ring of the frame. Twist the ties to secure it to the frame.

Step 9: Attach your bow.

Place the bow under the sign with tails pointing out toward the bottom of the wreath. Just as you did the sign, push the pipe cleaners attached to the bow through the mesh and wrap around the frame ring. Twist the ties to secure it to the frame.

Create Gorgeous Holiday Décor to Keep or Sell

Wintertime is the best time for wreath makers and craftpreneurs because there are so many holidays and so many ways to decorate! From wreaths and holiday trees to centerpieces, garland and outdoor decorations – the possibilities are seemingly endless.

One of my favorite ways to decorate during the festive season is with holiday trees. And I’m not just talking about Christmas trees – you can have a tree for ANY holiday. In fact, I have fall trees and even a Halloween tree! For years, I’ve decorated several trees for the holidays and have perfected my craft. Now I’m sharing all of my tips – and SECRETS – in my brand new holiday tree decorating class. The class contains more than 10 hours of content, supply lists, tree topper bow tutorial and fall, Halloween and Christmas tree decorating tutorials. That’s just a taste – there is so much more packed in – all to help you feel more confident decorating your beautiful tree. To gain access to this valuable information, just go to HolidayTreeClass.com. Once you sign up, you’ll get immediate access to all of the content on the website when you purchase the class!  

Other Winter and Christmas Wreaths from Sincerely Creative Mom

While I do love holiday trees, wreaths are my true love! And the who doesn’t LOVE a good Christmas wreath?! Along with this absolutely ADORABLE gingerbread wreath, I have a TON of Christmas wreaths and winter wreaths for every kind of design aesthetic. Some are just for me and my family, while so many others are for sale on the Sincerely Creative Mom Etsy shop. Here’s a little sneak peek at the ones for sale this year – whether you want to purchase one or find some inspiration.

I would just LOVE to see your Christmas and other holiday creations. Whether it’s a Christmas Pancake wreath, tree topper or centerpiece, show me what you’re working on! If you join my text group, you can send pictures of your projects and I’ll do my very best to try and respond. To join the group, just text 810-498-2310 and you’ll be added in!