Turn Conkers Into A Simple Wreath That's Perfect For Subtle Fall Decor

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From the spooky creatures at Halloween to the turkey-themed trinkets at Thanksgiving, fall decor can be a little over the top at times. So, if you're looking for a more subtle way to dress up your home for the season, you might consider making a DIY wreath from conkers and a wire coat hanger. All you'll need to do is drill a hole through each conker, thread them into the wire, then close the loop and shape the wreath into a circle.

First, though, you might be wondering: What are conkers? According to the National Park Service, horse chestnut trees (Aesculus hippocastanum) aren't native to the U.S., but they were brought here many years ago from Greece and Albania and they're rather widespread today. In fall, these trees drop conkers on the ground — so if you're lucky enough to have one of these trees in your yard, you can collect the nuts for this project yourself. Otherwise, you can buy a bag online. For example, on Amazon, the Ohio Buckeye Company sells a package of 25 Quarter-Size Horse Chestnuts for $19.99.

Better known as horse chestnuts or buckeyes in the U.S., these fruits are an adorable addition to your seasonal decor, thanks to their natural look and neutral coloring. And not only is this festive craft easy to make, but it also lets you skip the basic store-bought fall wreath in favor of something a little more unique. To DIY your stunning fall wreath, you'll also need a pair of pliers, a nutcracker or clamp to hold the nut still, a screwdriver or drill, and a fall-themed bow or ribbon. It's also important to mention that horse chestnuts are not edible — they're actually toxic if ingested — so if you're tempted to munch on one while crafting, resist the urge.

Depending on the length of your wire coat hanger, the size of the horse chestnuts, and your desired final look, you should plan to collect about 20 to 30 conkers per wreath. Depending on where you found the conkers, you might need to do a little prep work to get them ready for your wreath. In their natural state, conkers have a spiky shell, so if you forage them yourself, remove that outer layer yourself with pliers. But if you purchase a bag of conkers, they'll often come pre-peeled.

Your next step is to drill a hole in the center of each conker. The best way to do this is by popping each one into a sturdy clamp or a handheld nutcracker — like this European Wood Mushroom Nut Cracker. Hold it still while using a screwdriver or small drill bit to create the hole. Some crafters have also had luck with a hammer and nail or a corkscrew wine bottle opener. From there, you'll unwind the wire hanger, leaving the hook as-is. Then, string all of the conkers onto the wire until it's full. Use your pliers to wrap the end of the hanger around the hook. Push and pull the wreath into a circular shape. To finish it off, tie a ribbon or bow at the top and hang it up.

Because conkers can be a little pricey unless you forage them yourself, you may want to plan for a small accent wreath rather than a large-scale statement. You could also try using large acorns, whole pecans, or another type of chestnut instead. Alternating your conkers with another nut or bows, baubles, and artificial leaves can give your DIY wreath more fullness while saving your budget.