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Yes, you can make this monster Halloween wreath quickly and with almost no new materials—but “free” only applies if you already have a suitable wreath base, cardstock, adhesive, scissors and string or twine. The design uses a reusable artificial boxwood wreath as a green, leafy face. White paper eyes and teeth create the expression, while recycled magazine pages become the black pupils and a colorful accordion-fold bow tie. The tutorial that inspired this project calls it a five-minute wreath, but it does not report a timed test, so treat five minutes as an optimistic target rather than a measured result.
The source tutorial, updated September 3, 2024, describes the character as a friendly monster inspired by Cookie Monster and similar sweet, playful creatures. Follow the process below for the same basic construction, with size and attachment choices explained so the finished wreath fits your door and survives normal handling.
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What you are making
This wreath is a flat, face-like decoration rather than a sculpted or fabric-covered monster. An artificial boxwood ring supplies the foliage and can be reused for other seasonal projects. Paper features sit on top of the leaves: two white eyes with dark centers, a row of white teeth and a bow tie made from colorful magazine pages.
The look depends on contrast. White cardstock stands out against green foliage, black paper centers make the eyes readable from the street, and a bright bow tie adds color below the face. Because every feature is tied or taped to the foliage, you can remove or reposition pieces without permanently altering the wreath.
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The instructions below follow the dimensions and sequence in the A Piece Of Rainbow tutorial: Easy DIY Monster Halloween Wreath.
Supplies: what is essential and what can be reclaimed
| Material | How it is used | Can it be free? |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial boxwood wreath | Reusable green base and foliage for tying on every paper feature. | Only if you already own one or can reuse a discarded decoration; the tutorial’s base is not initially free. |
| White cardstock | Large eye circles and the upper and lower teeth. | Use leftover craft cardstock or clean packaging of similar stiffness. |
| Scissors | Cut circles, teeth and magazine paper. | Usually an existing household or craft tool. |
| Glue | Layer paper pieces and secure the bow tie when tape is not preferred. | Existing craft glue works; no special formula is specified. |
| Duct tape | Primary reinforcement for the teeth and an option for the bow tie. | Use tape already in your supplies; the tutorial specifically favors duct tape where extra strength is useful. |
| String or twine | Creates loops for tying the teeth and eyes into the foliage. | Reclaimed parcel string or ordinary twine can serve the same function. |
| Magazine pages | Black eye centers and colorful bow-tie accents. | Yes, when you have old magazines or other clean, colorful paper. |
| Door wreath hanger (optional) | Hangs the completed decoration without adding a permanent hook. | Optional; use an existing hanger or another door-safe hanging method. |
“Free” therefore describes the decorative paper approach, not a guarantee that every reader can avoid buying anything. If you need to purchase the artificial wreath or basic tools, include those costs in your plan. The most reliable no-purchase route is to reuse a wreath you already own and cut the facial details from leftover cardstock and magazines.
Choose the wreath size before cutting paper
| Base option | What the tutorial establishes | Planning implication |
|---|---|---|
| Approximately 19 inches | The example measures about 19 inches across its outer edges. | Allows larger 3–4-inch white eyes and a broad tooth line that reads clearly on a typical front door. |
| Approximately 14 inches | A smaller alternative is mentioned. | Scale the eyes and teeth down so the foliage remains visible around the face. |
Measure the outer edge of your wreath, not just the open center. A dense, leafy base gives string and tape more places to catch. On a sparse ring, plan to tie around the structural frame or use small tape tabs at several contact points rather than relying on one loose leaf cluster.
Prepare a five-minute-friendly work area
- Clear a flat surface. Lay out the wreath, cardstock, magazine pages, scissors, adhesive, tape and twine before cutting. Pre-gathering prevents the project from becoming a search for supplies.
- Make a quick paper template. Trace one eye circle and one tooth shape on scrap paper first. Once the proportions look right on the wreath, use those shapes as guides for the final cardstock.
- Keep the wreath face-up. Position it as it will hang, with the top and bottom clearly marked. This avoids tying the eyes or teeth upside down.
- Reserve strong tape. Set aside duct tape for the teeth, where the paper strip receives the most pulling force during installation.
Cut and assemble the eyes
1. Make the white eye circles
For the approximately 19-inch base, cut two white cardstock circles about 3 to 4 inches across. The exact diameter depends on how dense and wide your wreath is; the smaller 14-inch option needs proportionally smaller circles. Cut both circles as evenly as you can, but minor differences can make the monster look more playful.
2. Add black centers from magazine paper
Cut two dark circles from a magazine page or other reclaimed paper, each about 2 inches across for the larger base. Place one black center on each white circle and secure it with glue. Magazine images do not need to be perfectly solid black; choose the darkest area available, or layer dark scraps if the print is light.
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3. Add a hanging loop
Make a short loop of string or twine for each eye. Attach the loop to the back of the paper with tape or glue, leaving enough length to pass through the foliage. The loop lets you adjust the eye position after it is on the wreath instead of committing to a single leaf or branch.
Cut the teeth as one connected paper piece
1. Fold the cardstock
Use an 8.5-by-11-inch sheet of white cardstock. Fold it across the 11-inch length so the folded sheet forms two layers. This arrangement lets you cut an upper and lower row together, producing a connected mouth strip.
2. Cut the tooth silhouette
With the cardstock folded, cut triangular or rounded tooth points along the edge as shown by the tutorial’s method. Open the sheet and check that the upper and lower teeth align. Trim any uneven points before attaching the strip; small adjustments are easier while the paper is still flat.
3. Reinforce the corners
The ends and corners are the spots most likely to lift from the foliage. Place duct tape where the tooth strip will meet the wreath. The source also describes taping tooth corners directly to the wreath, so prepare a few small pieces in advance.
Attach the mouth to the foliage
- Center the strip. Hold the teeth against the lower half of the wreath and shift them left or right until the mouth looks balanced.
- Thread the tie. Tape string or twine to the teeth, then bring the ends behind the wreath.
- Tie at the back. Knot the string around a sturdy section of foliage or the wreath’s inner structure. Keep the knot snug but avoid crushing the paper.
- Add corner tape. Press tape over the tooth corners and onto nearby foliage. This keeps the ends from curling outward when the door moves.
- Check the front. Turn the wreath face-up and make sure the teeth are level enough to read as a mouth. Loosen and retie the string if the strip has rotated.
Position and tie on the eyes
Place the eyes above the teeth, leaving enough green space between them for the monster’s face to remain legible. They do not have to be perfectly symmetrical; a slight difference in height gives a friendly, cartoon-like expression. Once the position looks right, pass each loop through the foliage and tie it behind the wreath.
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Keep the knots accessible. If wind or repeated door movement shifts an eye, you can retie the loop without peeling tape from the front. If the foliage is especially loose, add a small piece of tape to the back of the eye where the loop meets the paper.
Make the accordion-fold bow tie
1. Select colorful magazine paper
Choose a magazine page with colors that contrast with the green foliage. You can use one page for a coordinated bow or combine pages for a deliberately mismatched monster look. Avoid pages that are already torn at the edges, since the folds concentrate stress at the paper’s weakest points.
2. Accordion-fold the page
Fold the paper back and forth in evenly spaced pleats, creating a fan-like strip. The exact pleat width is flexible; narrower folds make more visible ridges, while wider folds create a fuller, simpler shape. Press each crease firmly with a fingertip.
3. Secure the center and attach it
Bring the folded strip together at its center to form a bow-tie silhouette. Secure the middle with tape or glue, then attach the finished bow below the teeth or at the lower center of the wreath. Hold it in place before fixing it permanently so it does not cover the mouth.
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- Lift the wreath by the top edge and check that the teeth do not pull away from the foliage.
- Look at the face from several feet away; eye centers should remain visible at the same viewing distance as the door.
- Turn the wreath over and trim or fold back any long tape ends that could catch on the door.
- Confirm that the bow tie is centered and not hiding the lower teeth.
- Use an optional door wreath hanger if you have one, and verify that the hanging point supports the wreath without bending the paper features.
How to make the result sturdier without buying more supplies
Use the structure, not just the leaves
When tying, feel for the firm inner frame beneath the boxwood. A knot around a stable section is less likely to slide than a knot around a single soft sprig. Keep the paper flat while tightening so the string does not crease the cardstock.
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Layer tape where stress is concentrated
One broad tape strip is not always better than several small, well-placed pieces. Reinforce the tooth corners, the back of each eye loop and the center of the bow tie. This uses less tape while supporting the points that move most.
Keep paper away from wet exposure
Cardstock and magazine pages are paper materials. If your front door is exposed to rain, place the wreath under a covered entry or bring it indoors during wet weather. The tutorial does not specify weatherproof coatings, so do not assume the paper pieces are outdoor-rated.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting common problems
The teeth sag or twist
Retie the string closer to the wreath’s sturdy inner frame, then add tape at both corners. If the strip is too wide for the foliage, trim a small amount from the top edge rather than forcing it into a curved position.
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An eye keeps rotating
Shorten the loop slightly and tie it at two nearby points, or add a small piece of tape to the back. The goal is to stop rotation while preserving the ability to reposition the eye later.
The face looks crowded
Move the eyes upward and reduce the tooth height or eye diameter. On the 14-inch base, oversized features can cover most of the foliage; scaling down maintains the green border that identifies the wreath shape.
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The paper will not stay attached
Clean, dry foliage gives tape the best chance to grip. Press each tape tab firmly, then tie string through the leaves wherever possible. Duct tape is the tutorial’s stronger choice for securing the teeth; glue is more useful for layering paper pieces and assembling the bow tie.
Storage and reuse after Halloween
Because the boxwood base is artificial and the facial features are attached rather than permanently glued to the foliage, you can remove the monster pieces and reuse the wreath for another seasonal display. Untie the string before pulling tape so you do not tear the leaves. Store the cardstock eyes, teeth and bow tie flat if they are still clean; recycle damaged magazine paper and cut fresh pieces next time.
Label a small envelope with the eye and tooth sizes you used. That record makes it faster to recreate the same expression on the 19-inch or 14-inch base, while still allowing new colors or a different bow tie for another holiday.
What “five minutes” and “free” really mean
The five-minute wording belongs to the tutorial’s title, not to a documented timed experiment. An experienced crafter who has every supply laid out may assemble the basic version very quickly, but cutting circles, folding cardstock, selecting magazine paper and adjusting knots can take longer for a first attempt.
The project is inexpensive when the wreath and tools are already in your home. The artificial boxwood base is the main potential purchase, while magazine pages provide a no-purchase source for dark eye centers and colorful bow-tie paper. Treat the wreath as a reusable seasonal base rather than a disposable Halloween-only item; that is what makes the overall project more economical over time.
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