How to Make a Christmas Kissing Ball

Skip the mistletoe and hang a beautiful Christmas kissing ball that you made on a budget using fresh greens and some holiday decor. Learn how to make a Christmas kissing ball in a few easy steps!

While mistletoe has been all the rage, Christmas kissing balls are making a huge comeback in a big way.

Have you seen them sold at your local garden nursery, market, or big box store? Kissing balls are so pretty with festive winter greens, holiday decor, and some fancy ribbon. But they can be pretty pricey if you buy them pre-made.

So today, I’m sharing how to make a Christmas kissing ball using fresh winter greens. It’s easy to do and will look better than purchasing it pre-made.

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What is a Christmas Kissing Ball?

Christmas kissing balls are ball shapes that come in a variety of sizes with bunches of holly and evergreen foliage that hang from the ceiling. These festive decorations are fragrant spheres of evergreen foliage, ranging from delicate ornaments to grand, statement pieces.

Imagine shimmering ribbons, glistening berries, and rustic pine cones nestled amongst the greenery. Hang them from doorways, ceilings, or even your porch to create a warm and inviting atmosphere this Christmas.

These beautiful green balls can be accented with lots of fun items that include:

• festive holiday decor
• ribbons
• berries
• and pine cones

And the beauty of making it yourself is you can design it to your Christmas aesthetic for the season.

Where to Hang Your Christmas Kissing Ball

Now that you know what a Christmas kissing ball is, you might be wondering where to display this festive decoration. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• From a Chandelier: For a dramatic statement, hang a kissing ball from your dining room or foyer chandelier. But make sure to leave some headroom beneath so nobody knocks into it!
• Porch: Greet guests with a festive welcome by hanging a kissing ball on your porch. It adds instant holiday cheer to your home’s exterior.
• Bay Window: Create a stunning focal point in your living room by suspending a kissing ball in the center of a bay window.
• Above a Mantel: For a classic touch, hang a kissing ball above your fireplace mantel. It complements stockings and garlands beautifully.
• High Doorway: Add a touch of elegance to your entryway by hanging a kissing ball from a high doorway.
• Architectural Opening: Have an archway or other interesting architectural feature? A kissing ball is the perfect way to accentuate it.

How to Make a Christmas Kissing Ball Homemade

If you’ve never made a kissing ball before, it might seem a little daunting at first. But once you visualize how the ball is made together with actually making it, it’s fairly easy to do.

Here’s what you need to get started!

Supplies Needed

While you’ll need to gather some fresh greens like pine, juniper, or holly, there are also a few floral supplies needed to make a Christmas Kissing Ball.

Here’s what you need.

• Round Floral Foam Sphere
• Thick, Sturdy Wire
• Popsicle Stick or Sturdy Stick
• Ribbon
• Evergreens (like pine, juniper and holly)
• berries, pinecones etc.

DIY Christmas Kissing Ball Directions

Creating a Sturdy Base

1. Soak the Foam: Submerge the floral foam ball in water until it’s thoroughly saturated.
2. Create a Wire Channel: Use a skewer, thin stick, or screwdriver to poke a hole through the center of the ball. This creates a path for your wire.
3. Thread the Wire: Thread a sturdy wire through the hole. For easier threading, wrap the wire around the skewer and pull it through.
4. Anchor the Ball: At the bottom of the ball, wrap the wire around a short, sturdy stick (like a popsicle stick or a small branch). This creates an anchor to prevent the ball from sliding off the wire. Make sure the stick isn’t longer than the width of the ball.
5. Create a Hanging Loop: At the top of the ball, bend the wire into a loop for easy hanging.

Adding the Greenery

1. Prepare the Greens: Cut your evergreen sprigs into pieces of roughly equal length, about 4-6 inches. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle to increase the surface area for water absorption. Remove any excess foliage from the bottom inch of each stem.
2. Fill the Ball: Insert the cut ends of the greenery into the foam ball, working your way around the sphere. Vary the types of greenery for a more interesting texture.
3. Achieve Full Coverage: Continue adding greenery until the entire foam ball is covered and no gaps are visible. Step back and take a look at your DIY Christmas kissing ball from all angles to see spots where you need to fill in.

Finishing Touches

1. Add a Ribbon: Tie a festive ribbon to the top of the kissing ball for hanging. You can also add a ribbon at the bottom for extra flair.
2. Embellish (optional): Add decorative elements like pinecones, berries, ornaments, or faux snow for a personalized touch.

Keeping Your Kissing Ball Fresh

Want your beautiful creation to last throughout the holiday season? Here’s how to keep your kissing ball looking its best:

• Hydrate Before You Decorate: Before you start assembling your kissing ball, soak the foam floral ball in water until it’s thoroughly saturated. This will provide a reservoir of moisture for your greenery. Gently mist your greenery with water too.
• Water Regularly: Check the foam every few days and add water when it feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause the foam to become soggy and the greenery to rot.
• Avoid Direct Sunlight: Keep your kissing ball away from direct sunlight and heat sources, as these can quickly dry it out.
• Consider an Anti-Wilt Spray: For extra protection, you can use a commercial anti-wilt spray to help your greenery retain moisture.

How often you need to water your evergreen ball will depend on your microclimate and where it is maintained. It’s not necessary to keep it soggy, but the greens will last much longer if they are kept hydrated. You can also try to use an anti-wilt spray too if you have any on hand.

You can learn all about how to care for fresh winter greens when using them in your holiday decor here.

Troubleshooting Tips

Even with the best instructions, sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are a few common issues you might encounter when making your kissing ball, and how to fix them:

• Greenery Falling Out: If your greenery seems loose or starts falling out, it might be that the foam ball is too dry. Try re-soaking the foam to rehydrate it. You can also use floral pins or wire to secure loose pieces.
• Lopsided Ball: If your kissing ball looks uneven, try rotating it as you add greenery to ensure even coverage. You can also strategically add larger pieces of greenery to fill in gaps and create balance.
• Wire Showing: If the wire base is visible, simply tuck in more greenery to cover it.

Variations and Customization

One of the best things about DIY projects is the ability to personalize them! Some theme ideas you can try include:

• Winter Wonderland: Use white and silver accents, frosty faux snow, and icy-looking ornaments.
• Candy Cane Lane: Incorporate red and white ribbon, candy canes, and peppermint-inspired decorations.
• Natural Rustic: Opt for natural elements like pinecones, berries, and twigs.

Or you can choose colors that complement your existing décor or create a striking contrast. Consider traditional Christmas colors (red, green, gold), a monochromatic scheme (all white or all silver), or a bold combination (like turquoise and lime green).

While a standard kissing ball is usually around 10-12 inches in diameter, you can create smaller ones to hang as ornaments or larger ones to make a bold statement. Just adjust the size of your foam ball accordingly.

At the end of the day, have fun with it! Your kissing ball should be a reflection of your own unique style.

Final Thoughts About Making DIY Kissing Balls

Whether you choose fresh greenery for its fragrant aroma or opt for faux foliage for lasting beauty, crafting a Christmas kissing ball is a simple and rewarding project. It’s a wonderful way to add a touch of personalized charm to your holiday décor.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors, textures, and embellishments to create a kissing ball that perfectly reflects your own unique style. From rustic and natural to elegant and glamorous, the possibilities are endless!

Have you ever made a Christmas kissing ball before? Think you will make one this Christmas season? I would love to know more in the comments below.

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

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Want to shop for supplies to make your own DIY Kissing Balls? Click on any item in the photo below.

Looking for More Budget-Friendly Christmas DIY Decor Ideas?

Check out these posts.

• DIY Winter Planter Ideas
• How to Make DIY Paperbag Snowflakes
• Easy Simple DIY Advent Wreath With Fresh or Faux Greenery Tutorial

Want to Learn How to Decorate With Fresh Greens for the Holidays?

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This 40-page guide is full of simple DIY holiday decorating ideas that include how to cut, care for, and design with fresh greens, as well as tips to purchase and incorporate faux greens with your holiday decorating style to create a cozy, beautiful, and organic vibe.

From porch styling to cozy centerpiece and tablescape inspiration, wait until you try these budget-friendly holiday decorating ideas using fresh greens for every room in your home.