One of the things we love most about Christmas decorating is finding new ways to make every corner of the home feel special. This project does exactly that. Today, we’re sharing how we made our DIY Inside Out Christmas Swag, a beautiful design that looks festive on both sides of your door.
If you’ve ever wanted to add holiday cheer inside and out, this is the perfect project. It’s simple, elegant, and full of Christmas sparkle. Plus, it’s quick to make and looks absolutely stunning once it’s hanging.
You can watch us make this exact swag in our step-by-step YouTube tutorial here: DIY Inside Out Christmas Swag Video.
What You’ll Need to Make This Swag
To make your own, gather these few supplies:
- 4-inch wired ribbon, cut 72 inches long
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Pine picks or greenery stems
- Assorted glitter stems (we used red & white for our peppermint theme)
That’s all you need. Simple materials that come together to create something beautiful.
The Idea Behind the “Inside Out” Swag
This swag gets its name because it’s designed to be decorated on both ends. When you hang it over the top of your door, one end drapes down on the outside and the other on the inside. That means you’ll have a pretty Christmas swag greeting guests at the door and another adding festive charm inside your home.
It’s one of those designs that makes you think, “Why didn’t I try this sooner?” It’s easy, practical, and a creative way to make both sides of your door sparkle for the holidays.
Step 1: Preparing the Ribbon
Start by cutting your wired ribbon to 72 inches long. You can use any style of ribbon you love…plaid, velvet, or metallic. Wired ribbon works best because it holds its shape and looks full when hung.
Lay your ribbon flat and find the center. That middle section will rest over the top of your door when you hang it. Each end will be decorated separately, so keep a few inches clear in the middle.
Step 2: Creating the First End
Begin with one end of your ribbon. Layer your pine picks or greenery stems directly onto the ribbon, arranging them so they fan outward. Secure them in place with hot glue, overlapping the pieces a bit for a full, natural look.
We like to mix different types of greenery to add interest, a few flocked pine sprigs, some glittered greenery, and classic pine branches. Once your base layer is in place, start adding a few glitter stems for sparkle.
Gold, red, and silver are always festive favorites, but you can match your own color scheme. We used a pepppermint theme for this one. Glue the stems in at different angles so they peek out from the greenery and catch the light.
When you’re happy with the look, set that side aside and move on to the other end.
Step 3: Decorating the Second End
Now repeat the same process on the other end of the ribbon. Try to make both ends look balanced, but don’t worry about making them identical. Each side will have its own character, and that’s part of what makes handmade decor so charming.
Layer your pine first, then tuck in your glitter stems for sparkle. Leave a few inches in the center of your ribbon undecorated. That’s where it will fold over your door later.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Once both ends are finished, take a minute to fluff your greenery and shape your ribbon. The wired edges make it easy to adjust until it looks just right.
If you’d like to add even more to your swag, you can glue on a bow or a few ornaments at one or both ends. Or keep it simple and let the greenery and glitter do the talking.
Flip the swag over and secure a piece of floral wire or a zip tie to the center so it’s easy to hang.
Step 5: Hanging Your Swag
To hang it, drape the ribbon over the top of your door so that one decorated end hangs down on the outside and the other on the inside. You can secure it with a small piece of tape, a command hook, or even a small tack on the top edge of the door if needed.
Step back and take a look. You’ll see a beautiful swag from both sides. It’s such a simple idea, but it really makes your entryway feel complete.
This design has quickly become one of our favorite Christmas projects. You get the look of two swags while only making one, which saves both time and supplies. It’s a clever way to decorate a door that opens both ways, and it instantly makes your home feel more welcoming.
Another reason we love it is how customizable it is. You can go classic with red and gold, or modern with silver and white. You can even make one to match the theme of your tree or mantle.
And since it’s lightweight, you can move it around if you want. It looks just as pretty draped over a large mirror, window, or even on a mantel.
If you’d like to see exactly how we made ours, be sure to watch our full tutorial here: DIY Inside Out Christmas Swag Video.
We walk you through every step and share tips for making sure your swag looks full, balanced, and beautiful from both sides.
There’s something special about making your own holiday decor. Every ribbon you cut and every stem you glue becomes part of the memories you’ll make this Christmas season. This Inside Out Christmas Swag is such a fun and easy project that brings that handmade touch to your home.
So grab your ribbon, heat up your glue gun, and let’s get creative. Whether you’re crafting one for your own front door or making a few as gifts, this design is sure to bring smiles to both sides of the door.
If you make your own version, we’d love to see it. Share your photos with us on Facebook or tag @GraceMonroeHome on Instagram. We can’t wait to see your beautiful swags and how you decorate your home this Christmas.
