How To Make a Holiday Kissing Ball

How To Make a Holiday Kissing Ball 

1. Prepare the Evergreen Branches

   Using pruning shears, cut the evergreen branches so that the average branch is about 10 inches long; 3 inches of that length will be inserted into the foam globe. Vary the overall length somewhat to ensure that your kissing ball has texture. Strip the needles from the last 3 inches of each branch by shaving them off with the blades of the pruning shears.

2. Insert Evergreens into the Styrofoam Ball

   Insert the evergreen branches into the foam ball so the stripped ends are covered. Distribute the branches evenly around the globe for a natural look. Move all around the globe as you work, rather than filling one side first. Keep adding branches until the foam is largely hidden from view.

3. Add the Red Berries

   Add some natural color to your kissing ball by inserting branches of winterberry or evergreen holly, both of which have red berries.

4. Wire the Cones

   Cut 6 to 8 inches of florist's wire for each cone using needlenose pliers or wire cutters. Slip the wire into the grooves under each cone's scales, down near the stem. The wire should encircle the cone. Pull the wire tight and twist it on itself to secure it, leaving several inches of extra wire in two loose ends.

5. Wire and Install the Cones

   Attach each cone to a plant stake by wrapping the loose wire ends around the stake. Insert the stakes into the kissing ball, using random placement or grouping them as desired.

6. Add Locust Pods

   Use long, flat, or curly locust pods as "ribbon substitutes." If desired, paint the pods with gold spray paint for a festive look. To attach a pod, cut a 6-inch length of florist's wire, then poke the wire through the pod and wrap the wire around a plant stake. Insert the stake into the foam ball.

7. Hang the Kissing Ball

   Cut a wire coat hanger in a straight area near the hook (you don't have to cut off or unravel the hook to begin), using the pliers. Straighten the hanger to create a long, straight wire. Insert the wire down through the top center of the kissing ball, and push it all the way through until it exits the bottom side. Make a 90-degree bend at the bottom end so the wire won't pull back through the ball. 

   Trim the top end of the wire at the desired length, then bend it to create a looped hook for hanging the ball. You can also put a ribbon on a kissing ball using this method. Simply tie the ribbon on the wire and into a loop for hanging. Hang the ball anywhere you like. If you'd like to display it outdoors, try a shepherd's hook. For the best effect, hang the ball in front of a light-colored background, such as a wall or a bunch of dried ornamental grass. 

   Kissing balls don't need water. A kissing ball made from real greenery should remain fresh for a few weeks. But if you prefer, mist your balls lightly to keep them from drying out prematurely.