How to Make Your Own Brass Mistletoe for Christmas

There’s something quietly lovely about crafting your own decorations at Christmas. It feels a little like stepping back into those calmer December afternoons when the world seemed to slow down and the scent of pine filled every corner. Creating your own brass mistletoe is one of those simple, absorbing projects that leaves you with something beautiful to treasure year after year. It looks delicate, catches the light in a soft golden glow, and adds a handmade touch to your festive home.

Below is a step-by-step guide to help you make your own brass mistletoe, using just a few materials and an hour or two of peaceful crafting time.

what you will need

• Brass sheets

• Beads

• Gold metal wire

• Ribbon

• Wire-cutters

• Pointed tool for marking

• Scissors

• Pincushion

• Awl

how to make brass mistletoe

1. Prepare Your Leaf Template

Start by drawing a simple double-leaf mistletoe shape onto paper. Cut it out to form your template, then place it on your brass sheet. Using a pointed tool, trace around the edges. Creating a few templates in different sizes will give your finished mistletoe a more natural look. We used the 'SIMPLISTIC MISTLETOE CHRISTMAS CARD' for inspiration. 

2. cut out your brass leaves

Once your shapes are marked, carefully cut each one out with sharp scissors. The brass paper cuts surprisingly easily, but take your time for clean edges.

3. make a hole for the wire

Place each leaf on a pincushion and gently pierce a small hole at the top using an awl. The cushion protects your fingers and gives the tool a soft surface to press into.

4. fix the leaves to wire

Cut pieces of metal wire in various lengths. Thread one piece through the hole of each leaf. Twist the wire neatly around itself to hold each leaf in place. You’ll begin to recognise the familiar shape of mistletoe sprigs with every twist.

5. create the berries

Thread two or three beads onto a short piece of wire. Twist the wire tightly so the beads cluster together like mistletoe berries. Make as many small bunches as you’d like. A few tucked among the leaves add a gentle charm.

6. assemble your mistletoe

Now for the sculpting. Start winding the wired leaves and berry clusters together, twisting the ends to form the branches. This part feels wonderfully hands-on, a little like arranging real foliage.

7. add a ribbon for hanging

Once you’re happy with the shape, twist the remaining ends of wire into a tidy loop. Thread a fine ribbon through and tie a neat bow around the top. This small detail gives your brass mistletoe its final flourish, ready to hang.

We have a selection of ribbons here

a beautiful keepsake for years to come

Your finished brass mistletoe will bring a gentle shimmer to your Christmas decorations, whether it hangs above a doorway, rests on a mantle, or becomes a sweet addition to a wreath. It’s a piece you’ll reach for year after year, carrying with it the memory of a quiet afternoon spent crafting something by hand.

If you try this project, we’d love to see your creations. Share your photos with us on social media using #Whistlefish and #Cornwall.