Here is a tutorial on how to make the scary "Man-Eating Wreath" as seen in Nightmare Before Christmas & Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. As you can see , the Disneyland version and the film version differ in some ways. I chose to make mine a sort-of hybrid. The great part about this prop is that it is fairly simple to make. Also, you can make it as big or as small as you would like .
Supplies
Needed:
Wreath
2 strands of wired garland - 6ft
2 plastic spoons
Scrap foam core board -white
Red Christmas bow
Red holly berries
Hot glue
Acrylic Paint- yellow & black
Scissors / X-acto blade
Scissors / X-acto blade
NOTE:
It is way more cost effective to buy all of your supplies the day after Christmas. I did, and got everything for 50% off or more .
And always Shop .99 cent Store & Dollar Tree First.
Total Cost: $10
Time Invested: 2 Hours
Detailed tutorial corresponds with picture Tutorial above:
1. Buy wreath and garland.
I found my wreath at the day after Christmas clearance sale at Biglots for $6. It is a good size at 18 inches in diameter. I got the garland at the .99 Cent Store day after Christmas sale for .50 each. They measure approx 6 feet each and have a heavy gauge wire running through them. The wire makes it easy to pose the tentacle arms with out having to suspend them with hooks and strings,
2. Remove any unneeded decorative items the wreath may have come with. Fuff and shape your wreath to the desired fullness and shape.
3. Flip your wreath over.
You want the front facing down. Unravel the garland and twist the two strands together near the center so they become one piece.
4. Make a slight bend in your garland and shape it to the wreath.
With the wreath still face down: You want the garland to extend across the wreath and stick out like tentacle arms, but not show through the mouth opening of the wreath.
5. Secure the garland to the wreath.
With the wreath still face down: Use some of the wreaths wire branches to twist tightly around the garland. I have highlighted the garland in lime green, and where it is secured to the wreath with red.
Flip wreath back over and complete the project with the wreath face up:
6. Measure & Make the teeth.
Lay the wreath's mouth opening on a piece of Dollar Tree white foam core board. Draw the size and shape of the teeth.
7. Remove the wreath and cut out the teeth shapes with an exacto blade.
Peel off the papery layer because its pretty much going to peel off anyway. You will be left with the soft white foam core.
8. Make the eyes.
Use two plastic disposable spoons for the eyes. They are the perfect shape for the Disneyland version. Cut the handles from the spoons with sharp scissors.
9. Glue in the teeth.
Use hot glue to glue the teeth into the "mouth" of the wreath.
10. Attach a red Christmas bow.
I found this bow in the Dollar Tree clearance for .50 cents. It came with a twisty-tie attachment on the back.
11. Paint Eyes.
Using acrylic craft paints, paint the eyes yellow. After it dries, use black acrylic paint for the "eyeliner" and black pupils.
12. Attach eyes with hot glue .
13. Attach assorted holly berries with hot glue .
I found the whole bundle of holly berries in the Dollar Tree clearance for .50 cents
Lastly, Arrange and bend the tips of the garland to look like out-stretched fingers
Finished! Please comment if you have any comments or questions. Thank You.
Good Luck
