What could be more festive for fall and Thanksgiving than a corn cob wreath? Colorful Indian corn is abundant at garden centers and craft stores this time of year. It’s an inexpensive material you can use for a DIY Indian corn wreath. Use it to feed wildlife or for inside décor.
What is Indian Corn?
Indian corn is that beautiful, multi-colored corn that you see used as decorations in the fall. It’s also known as flint corn or just ornamental corn. The name flint corn for this ancient variety comes from the fact that the outside of the kernels are hard.
Despite this hardness, Indian corn is edible and especially good for popcorn. The hard starch exterior of Indian corn makes it great for decorations. It ensures that the kernels dry uniformly and remain smooth and unwrinkled.
How to Make Indian Corn Wreaths
An Indian corn wreath craft makes a bold statement, but it’s actually simple to make. All you need are the corn cobs, a straw wreath form, and a hot glue gun. Add embellishments if you want, but the corn alone is striking.
Start with a straw wreath, which you can buy at any craft store. This will help your wreath hold shape and stay together better. Use a hot glue gun to glue each cob to the wreath form with the tips pointing in and the husks pointing out. Continue gluing around the form, alternating colors, until you have a complete wreath. Add a ribbon or a bow if you like.
Additional Tips for a Corn Cob Wreath
With full-sized corn cobs, this can become a monstrous-sized wreath. Unless you have a huge front door or a barn door to hang it on, use mini corns. Alternatively, use full-sized cobs and cut off the husks.
Use the wreath indoors or outside. If hanging outside, be aware that critters will eat it. Your resident squirrels will appreciate the snack and the wreath won’t last forever anyway. Inside, hang the wreath over a fireplace or put it flat on the table for a stunning Thanksgiving dinner centerpiece. Put LED candles in the middle to avoid fire risk.