Paper Heart Wreath and Heart Garland DIY
Dozens of folded paper hearts layered into a full, fluttery wreath, plus a quick garland with the leftovers.
By the HotsBuzz team ·
- Skill levelEasy
- Time1.5-2 hours
- Budget$8-$15
- Steps7
A paper heart wreath is a cheerful way to dress up a front door, mantel or bedroom wall for Valentine’s Day. Each heart is folded down the middle before it’s glued on, so the wreath has a soft, dimensional texture that catches the light instead of lying flat.
All you need is cardstock in a few shades, a cardboard ring and glue. Leftover hearts become a matching garland, so nothing goes to waste. The project is easy enough for older kids to help with and makes a nice evening craft with a movie on.
The wreath below is about 14 in. across and uses roughly 60-70 hearts in three sizes. Plan on about two hours, most of it cutting. If you’re working with kids, an adult can cut the cardboard ring while they trace and cut hearts, then everyone can take turns gluing. The garland adds only about 15 minutes once the hearts are cut.
Materials & tools
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You’ll need
Tools
Step-by-step instructions
Cut the wreath base
Trace the larger circle onto cardboard, then center the smaller circle inside and trace it. Cut out the ring with a craft knife on a mat, leaving a band about 2.5 in. wide. Cover it in red paper or paint it so gaps won’t show.
Make heart templates
Fold scrap paper and cut half-hearts against the fold to make three templates: about 3 in., 2.25 in. and 1.5 in. tall. Trace them onto the backs of the cardstock to save marks on the front.
Cut and fold the hearts
Cut about 20 large, 25 medium and 20 small hearts. Fold each one in half vertically and crease lightly, then open it back to a slight V shape. This fold gives the wreath its texture.
Lay the first layer
Starting at the top, glue the large hearts around the ring, points facing toward the center, all tilted in the same direction. Apply glue only along the center crease so the sides lift. Overlap each heart by about a third.
Build the layers
Add a ring of medium hearts on top, offset so they cover the gaps between large hearts. Finish with small hearts along the inner edge. Step back now and then to check that colors are evenly mixed.
Add the hanger
Loop ribbon around the top of the wreath and tie a bow, or hot glue a ribbon loop to the back. Let the glue cool before hanging.
Sew the heart garland
Take leftover hearts and stitch them along a length of string through their center crease, either with a long straight stitch on a sewing machine or by hand with a needle. Space them 3-4 in. apart and leave 12 in. of tail at each end for tying.
Tips for success
- Use low-temp hot glue and keep a bowl of cool water nearby for quick finger dips; tacky glue is a good kid-safe option.
- Hang a paper wreath on an inside door or under a covered porch, since rain and humidity will make it droop.
- Stick to three or four colors for a cohesive look, and repeat each color around the whole ring.
- A heart punch makes small hearts fast and perfectly uniform.
- Cut hearts in batches by stacking two or three sheets of cardstock and clipping them together; it saves time and keeps the sizes consistent.
Make it your own
Ombre wreath
Arrange hearts from deep red at the top through pink to white at the bottom for a gradient effect.
Book page hearts
Cut hearts from old book pages or sheet music and add a few red accent hearts for a vintage look.
Heart wall garland
String hearts vertically on several short strands and hang them from a dowel or curtain rod to create a heart backdrop for a party or photo spot.
Felt heart wreath
Cut the hearts from stiff craft felt instead of cardstock. Felt won’t crease, so pinch each heart at the center as you glue it to create lift. It’s sturdier for a door that gets opened often and can be stored year after year.
Frequently asked questions
How do I store a paper heart wreath?
Lay it flat in a large pizza box or between two pieces of cardboard in a bag. Avoid stacking anything on top, which crushes the folded hearts. A few loose hearts may pop off over time; keep the extras in an envelope taped to the box so repairs next year take seconds.
Can I use printer paper instead of cardstock?
You can, but it won’t hold its fold or shape as well. Cardstock around 65 lb. gives the best balance of stiffness and easy cutting.
How many hearts do I need for a smaller wreath?
A 10 in. wreath with a 2 in. band needs about 35-45 hearts, using the medium and small sizes only.
