This wreath is one of those wonderfully low-cost projects that looks far fussier than it really is. By tucking simple cotton makeup pads into a foam wreath form, you get a soft, full ruffled texture that reads sweet and a little whimsical, and with a simple black felt face added at the end, it turns into an adorable ghost wreath with plenty of personality.
I love projects like this because they rely on repetition instead of complicated technique. If you can fold, push, and pack the pads closely together, you can make this. It is especially good for anyone who wants a seasonal front-door decoration on a tight budget, and the finished wreath has that fluffy, generous look that makes handmade decor feel polished rather than skimpy.
Materials
150 round white cotton makeup pads
Instructions
1. Set the wreath form flat on your work surface and plug in the glue gun so it is ready if you need to secure any loose pads as you go.
2. Fold one makeup pad in half, keeping the rounded edges facing outward, and hold it at the fold so it stays pinched.
3. Use the blunt tip of the pencil to push the folded center of the pad into the foam about 1/2 inch deep, letting the two open sides fan up into a soft ruffle.
4. Continue adding folded pads one at a time, placing them shoulder to shoulder so the ruffles touch and no foam shows between them.
5. Fill the entire outer edge first, then cover the inner edge, and finish by packing the flat front face; this order helps the wreath look full from every angle.
6. Check the wreath from the front and sides every few rows, and tuck extra pads into any shallow spots so the surface looks evenly cloudlike and generous.
7. If a pad feels loose or slips back out, lift it slightly, add a tiny dot of hot glue at the fold, and push it back into the same hole with the pencil.
8. Keep going until the entire wreath is covered with about 150 pads and the form reads as one dense ring of soft white ruffles with no bare patches.
9. Cut two oval eyes from the black felt, each about 2 inches tall, and cut one open oval or rounded teardrop shape for the mouth, about 3 inches tall.
10. Arrange the felt face pieces on the lower half of the wreath opening until the expression looks balanced, then hot glue them in place with small dots around the edges.
11. If you want a hanger, loop the ribbon around the top back of the wreath and knot or glue it securely before hanging.
12. Fluff the ruffles with your fingers, especially around the face, so the ghost looks full, soft, and evenly shaped.
Variations & Tips
Use a white form if you can: I find a white styrofoam wreath much more forgiving than green floral foam because any tiny gaps blend in instead of catching your eye.
Pack more than you think you need: The difference between homemade and truly adorable here is density. When I fill in the inner ring and side edges generously, the whole wreath looks plush and intentional.
Try the face before gluing: Set the felt pieces in place and step back a few feet before attaching them. A small shift in eye spacing can make the ghost look sweeter, sillier, or more surprised.
Keep the glue minimal: Most pads will stay put just from being wedged into the foam, so use hot glue only on the ones that pop loose. Too much glue can flatten the nice airy ruffle.
Make it porch-friendly: This wreath does best in a covered spot, since cotton pads can absorb moisture. I would hang it on a sheltered front door, over a mantel, or on an interior wall for the neatest look.
Add a bow if you like: A narrow black ribbon bow at the top can make the wreath feel a bit dressier without taking away from the ghost face.
Store it carefully: Tuck it into a large shallow box after the season and avoid stacking heavy items on top, so all that lovely ruffled texture stays fluffy for next year.