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    Home » DIY Projects

    How to Make a Boxwood Kissing Ball

    by Patti Estep · Nov 10, 2019

    Jump to How-to Card

    Learn how to make a boxwood kissing ball in three easy steps. They are fun to hang in your entry and look nice all season long.

    DIY Boxwood Kissing Ball on table

    Since mistletoe is somewhat hard to come by and the berries are poisonous many people make boxwood kissing balls instead of hanging mistletoe.

    Traditionally people used apples or potatoes as the base but today we use floral or foam balls

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there's no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    Boxwood kissing ball supplies

    Supplies

    • 3-4 inch floral ball - if you buy a white Styrofoam ball you may want to spray paint it with a dark color so that the white does not show through.
    • A pretty ribbon with a large pin for use in hanging.
    • 3-5 inch pieces of boxwood. They need a trim anyway. You can use other materials too. Japanese Holly looks just like boxwood and would work well. Even rosemary or lavender may work but they wouldn't hold up as well.
    Boxwood kissing ball sprig

    How to Make a Boxwood Kissing Ball

    Take the boxwood trimmings and pull off the leaves on the bottom leaving 1/2 - 1 inch of stem to place into your ball.

    Kissing ball

    Pin the ribbon to the ball. You may want to dip the pin in a little glue to give it extra holding power.

    Then start placing the sprigs of boxwood all around starting around the ribbon.

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    Once you've completed the ball check for any bald spots and fill in with little leftover pieces of the boxwood.

    Boxwood kissing ball hanging in foyer

    And there you have it. Hang it in your entryway or in a doorway for all to enjoy.

    This should last throughout the holiday season but if your air is very dry you can give it a spray with water to help to keep it from drying out.

    And if you'd like you can pin a little sprig of mistletoe to the bottom.

    Patti signature


    P.S. You may also like this DIY Boxwood Letters project or this Kissing Ball Ornament. Find these and many more fun crafts on my DIY Projects Page.

    Click Here to Save to Pinterest!

    Boxwood kissing ball on table
    DIY Boxwood Kissing Ball on table
    Print

    Boxwood Kissing Ball

    Learn how to make a boxwood kissing ball in three easy steps. They are fun to hang in your entry and look nice all season long.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Active Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time35 minutes mins
    Course: Christmas Decorations
    Yield: 1
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $10

    Equipment

    • Pruners

    Materials

    • 40 or more 3-5 inch long pieces of fresh boxwood
    • 3-4 inch green floral ball
    • A pretty ribbon with a large pin

    Instructions

    • Take the boxwood trimmings and pull off the leaves on the bottom leaving 1/2 - 1 inch of stem to place into your ball.
    • Pin the ribbon to the ball.
    • Push the sprigs of boxwood into the ball starting at the ribbon and continuing all around the entire ball.
    • Check for open spots and fill in with more boxwood.
    • Hang it in your entryway or in a doorway for all to enjoy.

    Notes

    You can use white styrofoam balls but I'd paint them green first so that it is easier to cover and not show through.
    The fresh boxwood will wilt after several days depending on the heat or dryness of the air in your home.
    You can spritz the boxwood or occasionally dunk it in water to keep it fresh.
    Tried this project?Tag @hearthnvine on Instagram
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. MrsSW

      November 11, 2019 at 8:32 am

      Very pretty, Patti - pinned, as always. 🙂

      Sheila

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        November 11, 2019 at 9:26 am

        Thank you Sheila. You are so sweet, as always. ♥

        Reply
    2. Jendy Bullman

      November 11, 2019 at 7:12 am

      Hi there,
      Lovely idea. Do you have to soak the floral ball first?
      Jendy

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        November 11, 2019 at 7:32 am

        Jendy, I did not use the type of foam that you soak. However, I did take it down and sprayed the plant material with water about once a week.

        Reply
        • Jendy Bullman

          November 11, 2019 at 8:04 am

          Thanks Patti, I guess I was surprised that just spraying the leaves could keep it fresh. Jendy

    3. Lorraine

      November 10, 2019 at 4:26 pm

      Hi Patti, stopping by to visit your lovely place here from FB group. Enjoyed perusing and especially this boxwood decoration. Nice to meet you 🙂
      Kindly, Lorraine

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        November 10, 2019 at 4:33 pm

        Thanks Lorraine. So glad you like it. I hope you stop by again soon.

        Reply
    4. Vickie

      December 04, 2014 at 3:37 pm

      Hello Patti! I just love your kissing ball! I have some boxwood out front that is in need of a trim, so now I know exactly what to make with it! I would bet, if the sprigs were tucked in real tight, the boxwood would dry as is and could be carefully packed away for next year! Thanks for the tutorial! I found you on Fridays Unfolded where this post is featured!

      Reply
    5. Jen @ The Halfway Homemaker

      November 22, 2014 at 3:58 pm

      Really cute, I love this for a natural looking decoration.

      Reply
    6. Christine

      November 22, 2014 at 9:19 am

      Beautiful kissing ball and I love that you used fresh greenery!

      Reply
    7. Jessica Doll

      November 21, 2014 at 2:05 pm

      This is so cute and festive. I would have never thought to make one on my own.

      Reply
    8. Lisa

      November 21, 2014 at 8:44 am

      Love it! I can't wait to make one. Thanks for sharing Patti!

      Reply
      • Patti

        November 21, 2014 at 1:47 pm

        So glad you like it. It would look great in your home!

        Reply
      • Denise wright

        January 29, 2015 at 9:22 am

        I want to make one too!

        Reply
    9. Alana (@ I have a Future and a Hope)

      November 20, 2014 at 11:10 pm

      This would be a great craft for my kiddos! Plus this would be nothing but a plus for me and hubby to take advantage of. 🙂

      Reply
    10. Erin Kennedy

      November 20, 2014 at 10:13 pm

      I love this so much! It is so cute and I want to make one now for my home!

      Reply
    11. Nancy

      November 20, 2014 at 5:42 pm

      I love mistletoes (or well, in this case kissing ball haha!) I think they're so sweet, and yours is REAL. Even better.

      Reply
    12. Joyce@MyStayAtHomeAdventures

      November 20, 2014 at 3:14 pm

      Such a cute and great idea. I must try this soon.

      Reply
    13. Danielle K

      November 20, 2014 at 3:13 pm

      So cute and easy! Will be making one of these for our holiday party.

      Reply
    14. Erin

      November 20, 2014 at 1:04 pm

      Such a great idea! I'm always looking for DIY decor ideas!

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Fridays Unfolded Link Party #136 - Nancherrow says:
      December 4, 2014 at 3:01 pm

      […] Garden Matter showed us  […]

      Reply

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