Christmas in July: DIY Boxwood Wreath Napkin Rings

It’s Christmas in July and I have a DIY napkin ring for your holiday table! It’s also a great excuse to skip pruning your boxwood shrubs, so you can take advantage of the new summer growth this December, using the long sprigs of greenery to make Boxwood Wreath Napkin Rings!

I played around with how to make these napkin rings off and on for a week. I originally bought 2 1/2-inch metal rings that I wrapped in floral stem tape to create a base for the napkin rings. This ring has a hinge that I thought would be helpful to open up the ring as I was working and wrapping the boxwood stems.

I decided the rings were more of a hindrance than a help, but the metal hinged rings may be easier for you to work with if you want to experiment. I found the DMC rings at Michaels for $1.99 where the needlework and stitching supplies are sold.

I found it easier to use a long boxwood stem to create a loop, attaching the stem to itself with florist wire. After you make your loop, cut off the rest of the stem.

Continue adding stems, wrapping around the original loop, adding florist wire as needed.

There’s a bit of learning curve but I found the new green growth worked best, which is flexible unlike the older, woody stems. I kept the napkin rings I was working on in a Ziploc bag in the refrigerator until I had a chance to photograph them. They stayed fresh for a week while I was working on them, so you could make these napkin rings at least a week ahead, keeping them refrigerated until ready to use, during the busy holiday season.

I  like to use boxwood sprigs to deck the halls, mixed with other evergreens and I pulled together some Christmas inspiration from the archives. Click on the links for the complete post along with table sources, and if you’re needing an escape from the sweltering summer heat and humidity like me. ;)

Plaid Tidings Christmas Table and DIY Natural Evergreen Table Runner

Chalkboard Runner and Plaid Tidings in the Potting Shed

Reindeer & Sleigh Napkin Rings are back in stock at Ballard Designs. They were sold out last year before Thanksgiving when I went to purchase another set.

I used them at a Reindeer Sleigh Tartan Christmas Table and Centerpiece

and at my Visit From St. Nicholas Christmas Table

Hobby Lobby has most of their Christmas tree ornaments in stock, where I found a parliament of owls for  A Tartan Happy Owl-idays Table. If you download their mobile app you can have access to their 40% weekly coupons to feather your nest!  It won’t be long before all their Christmas ornaments are 30% off.

For those of you who can’t bear to think about Christmas this early, don’t worry I’m not rushing the season, although I have to confess that I’m anxiously awaiting Fall, A Southerner’s Reward for Surviving Summer, and my favorite time of year. This is just a public service announcement to not prune your boxwood shrubs in case you need those sprigs for your holiday decorating ;)

Thank you for your visit, sharing with:

 Metamorphosis Monday