This fun and budget-friendly holiday DIY will make a big impact on your holiday décor! In this guide, I’ll show you how to create stunning snowflakes from clothes hangers.
A couple of years ago, we moved, and I got rid of a ton of clothes hangers because no one was using them. Fast forward to today, and I now have three young adults who are addicted to buying secondhand clothing — and, of course, our family suddenly finds itself in need of hangers again!
So, when I saw someone giving away hangers in my neighborhood Facebook group, I grabbed two huge trash bags full — for free! Why were they getting rid of so many hangers? They were moving! 😂
We divided the hangers, but I underestimated how many were in each bag. Guess what? We ended up with way too many hangers again!
The Idea
While scrolling through my phone, I came across a DIY project where someone used clothes hangers to create snowflakes. I got so excited because it was the perfect way to use up all my extra FREE hangers! Woo-hoo!
When I went to start the DIY, I looked up the project again and found a different tutorial that I’m glad I came across! The first tutorial used hot glue to secure the hangers, but this new one suggested using zip ties — and I was sold!
I’ve shared this before, but I have a love/hate relationship with hot glue. It dries quickly and holds well, but it isn’t permanent, especially in varying temperatures. When I used to do a lot of DIY projects, I found that E6000 glue worked better. I often used it instead or in combination with hot glue so that it would set quickly, but the E6000 made it last.
How to Make Snowflakes from Clothes Hangers
Step 1: Gather 16 Matching Hangers
This step may take longer than you expect! You’ll need 16 matching hangers. Now, you may not have thought about this before, but different brands of hangers have different designs. Some have notches for spaghetti straps, and others have unique hooks, so you’ll want to make sure the hangers you use match.
It took me almost as long to find 16 matching hangers as it did to actually make the snowflake!
If you don’t mind a little mix-and-match, you could use 8 matching hangers for one section of the snowflake and another 8 that match each other for the other section.
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Step 2: Get Zip Ties
I “borrowed” this container of zip ties from my dad about 10 or 15 years ago when I was setting up for flea markets and antique shows. They’ve come in handy for many projects, including this one!
You’ll want clear or white zip ties to blend in with the hangers. Opt for medium-sized zip ties, as they’re easier to work with, and don’t worry if they’re a little larger — you’ll be trimming them later. I’ve found that larger zip ties are easier to handle, especially as my fingers get less nimble with age! 😂
Step 3: Create a Pattern
When laying out the hangers, make sure all of them are facing the same direction. Specifically, the hook part that hangs on your closet rod should be aligned in the same direction.
For each snowflake, you’ll be making two sections, so you can have one section with all hooks facing one way and the other section with hooks facing the opposite way.
In the photos above you can see how I laid out the top section a couple different ways so that you can see how it changes the look of the snowflake. On the right side I placed the top hooks out away from the middle of the snowflake. On the left side I turned the hooks down towards the inside of the snowflake.
Step 4: Secure Your Hangers
Find a large, open space on the floor to assemble your snowflake. You have two options for how to assemble the snowflake, depending on whether you plan to hang it or display it on the ground.
Option 1: Flexible Snowflake (Hanging Option)
If you plan to hang the snowflake, you’ll want it to be a little more flexible. Here’s how to do it:
- Start with a pair of hangers, placing the flat sides together.
2. Continue adding pairs around in a circular pattern until you have one complete section with 8 hangers.
3. Repeat the same process to create a second section, but this time, place the flat sides of the hangers in the middle of the hooks of the first section.
4. Using zip ties, loosely secure the hooks and flat sides of each pair to the next. Alternate where the hooks are placed: sometimes they’ll go above the straight sides, and sometimes they’ll go below.
5. Loosely zip tie 4 additional sections of hangers inside the circle, keeping everything flexible so you can adjust the snowflake’s shape.
6. Once everything is loosely assembled, go around and tighten the zip ties, making sure the inside circle stays uniform.
This method is quick and uses fewer zip ties, but it leaves the snowflake more flexible — perfect for hanging!
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Option 2: Stiff Snowflake (Ground Display Option)
If you plan to stand your snowflake up, you’ll want a more rigid structure. This method uses more zip ties but results in a sturdier snowflake.
- Start by pairing up hangers and securing each pair with zip ties, making sure the hangers remain flat.
- Once all the pairs are secured, repeat the process as described in Option 1, laying the second section on top of the first and securing with zip ties.
- Continue as above, loosely securing the sections and tightening them when you’re satisfied with the arrangement.
This method requires more zip ties but will give you a stiffer snowflake that can stand on the ground or lean against a wall.
Step 5: Decorate Your Snowflake
Now that your snowflake is assembled, it’s time to decorate!
Hanging: You can hang your snowflake on the side of your house, a fence, or even on a shed.
Standing: If you prefer to display your snowflake on the ground, lean it against a bush or next to your front door. For stiffer snowflakes, you can use a shepherd’s hook to hang them or even attach them to fence posts or yard stakes.
For an added festive touch, consider spraying your snowflake with glow-in-the-dark paint to make it shine at night. You can also wrap string lights, fairy lights, or rope lights around your snowflake for a magical effect!
Conclusion
Making snowflakes from clothes hangers is an easy, inexpensive DIY project that can add a charming touch to your holiday décor. Whether you’re hanging them on your porch or displaying them in your yard, these snowflakes will make your home feel extra festive. Have fun and get creative with the decorations!
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