22 Responses to “How to make a Christmas Grave Blanket.”

1. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
   September 17th, 2007 at 8:45 am

   Norma

   To make a grave blanket you will need a few things: chicken wire, wire cutters, pruners, floral knife, greenery, floral foam, floral tape, floral wire, hot glue, outdoor ribbon, fresh flowers, pine cones or other accessories.

   Begin by cutting the chicken wire to a size slightly smaller than you want the finished grave blanket to be. Then weave your greenery through the chicken wire, as you do this secure it with the floral wire. This process is similar to weaving pastry dough in a lattice pattern for a pie top. Work the greenery into the chicken wire until you have the grave blanket shape you want. Try to arrange the greenery so that it is dense and free of large gapping holes. This will give you a foundation from which every thing else will rest upon.

   If you want to add fresh flowers to your grave blanket, you will need to attach floral foam to the foundation. You can use wire and floral tape to secure the floral foam to the chicken wire and greenery. Place the floral foam so that the flowers are in an optimum-viewing placement. Keep in mind that this blanket will be laying on the ground.

   After flower placement you can attach the ribbon. You can wind the ribbon through the greenery attaching it with hot glue every so often. You can also attach pinecones or other accessories at this point. When attaching these items you can use hot glue, floral tape or wire to secure them to the greenery.

   You can make your grave blanket as elaborate or as simple as you would like. Keep in mind that this grave blanket will have to be transported, so weight can become an issue.

   The only difference in making a Christmas grave blanket and a non-holiday grave blanket is the accessories. For Christmas grave blankets use Christmas greeneries, pinecones, holly berries, red ribbon and even ornaments.

2. carol Says:
   October 2nd, 2007 at 9:33 am

   yes , but where do you get the 2ft or 3 ft long foam bricks? we made them a few yrs back but the place we had is gone were just trying to make extra christmas money im in michigan

3. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
   October 2nd, 2007 at 2:52 pm

   Carol,

   Try a craft store, like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s. Floral Supply company will also carry these but may only sell to florists.

4. Lee Says:
   November 7th, 2007 at 5:06 pm

   Does anyone know where I can buy the stakes/anchors to hold down the grave blankets? Thanks.

5. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
   November 8th, 2007 at 8:55 am

   Lee,

   Florists usually find those kinds of items at a wholesale floral supplier. FGmarket is a great resource for finding wholesale floral supplies & wholesale sympathy supplies.

   Individuals can check with their local florist shops. I’ve had customers use the stakes that hold landscape fabric down as a way to secure grave blankets. You can find these at a hardware store or nursery/landscaping garden center.

6. Melody McDaniel Says:
   November 12th, 2007 at 9:37 am

   How much greenery do you need for the blanket and will roping from Michel’s or Hobby Lobby work?

7. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
   November 12th, 2007 at 10:50 am

   Melody,

   Wire is better than rope. Rope tends to fall apart due to the weather conditions.
   As for how much greenery it depends. You need enough greenery to weaver in and out of the wire base — fully covering it so that there are no holes or vacant spots showing. The thickness and type of greenery you use will make a difference in how mush you will need.

8. Genia Says:
   November 25th, 2007 at 8:15 am

   Is there any certain way the greenery is facing? Or is it just stuck in there any which way to cover the holes?

9. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
   November 26th, 2007 at 9:07 am

   Genia,

   You’ll fashion the greenery the same way you would for a casket spray. Some of the greenery will face south, some north and the greenery in the center will face many directions.

10. Debbie Says:
    October 6th, 2008 at 10:31 pm

    I like your answer to making a grave blanket but where do you get the greenery and what kind do you use there is alot of different types and how long does it take to make one

11. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
    October 7th, 2008 at 7:38 am

    Debbie,

    Some flower shops will sell you the greenery to make a grave blanket. The kind of greenery will depend on what your local florists has - usually what we call Christmas greens (cedar, fir, pine, holly) are what they use. People in my area who have wooded property use the branches of a variety of evergreens. One lady I know uses pine from her families property. Of course cutting your own greenery may save a little money but will require a more time and effort.

    You can also create what is called a grave swag instead of a grave blanket. This is a little easier to do and requires less greenery.

    If I remember from my time spent in a flower shop it takes a couple of hours to make a grave blanket. Since you haven’t made one before allow yourself about 4 hours. Getting started is the hardest part. Once you lay out the first three or four piece it will get easier.

    Another tip: If you are making a grave blanket but want some fresh flowers to attach to it, have your local florist design a fresh flower arrangement in a bouquet holder that you can easily attach to the grave blanket. This way you can transport the grave blanket to the cemetery attaching the flowers after you get there. This will make it easier to get the grave blanket in and out of the vehicle without compromising the flowers.

12. Diana Roberts Says:
    October 8th, 2008 at 8:06 am

    We need info and pictures on how to make a grave blanket for Christmas. 712-642-2490

13. Becky Says:
    November 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 am

    I would like to see a picture of the sprays after they are finished

14. Cindy Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 5:14 pm

    My husband and I make 3 or 4 grave blankets every year. We buy our evergreen branches at a local Christmas tree farm where they sell tree clippings for $3.00 an armload. We try to buy 2 different kinds of evergreen tree clippings just because we think it adds to the look of the blanket. We cut chicken wire and secure it on a table with masking tape. Then we use plastic wire ties to keep the branches in place. We just keep securing the clippings to the chicken wire frame until it looks full and there are no bare spots on the chicken wire. We then decorate the blanket with ribbons, bows, and pinecones. We use wire clothes hangers to make anchors for the the blankets (no cost if you have some hanging in your closet!). We just cut them into short pieces, about 6-8 inches long, and bend them into the shape of a \"V\". They can be easily pushed down into the ground and keep the blankets securely where you place them. I figure we make our 3 to 4 blankets for less than $50, which is what the Christmas tree lot charges for one! Not bad for amateurs!

15. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
    November 4th, 2008 at 8:16 am

    Cindy,

    Do you have any photos of the grave blankets you have made? I would love for the readers to see examples of grave blankets and it sounds like you make some really nice ones.

16. Cindy Says:
    November 14th, 2008 at 9:42 am

    Jamie,
    No, I don’t have any pictures of the blankets we’ve made in years past, but we will be making some in the next few weeks and I will take some pictures and make an attempt to post them for readers to view. Also, I try to keep my cost at a minimum, since the blanket is eventually discarded by the cemetery, so I purchase things to use for next years blankets when I see them at sale prices, especially after Christmas markdowns (i.e. chicken wire, large bows, ribbon).

17. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
    November 14th, 2008 at 11:20 am

    Cindy,

    That would be great. I look forward to seeing the photos. I love the cost-saving idea.

18. Amberleigh Says:
    December 15th, 2008 at 8:12 am

    This question is for anyone who has made a blanket.

    Roughly how many branches are needed for this project?

    Thank you in advance! Happy Holidays!

19. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
    December 15th, 2008 at 8:26 am

    Amberleigh,

    It is necessarily a number but how bushy they are. The bushy the branches the less you will have to use. A good number to start with would be six long branches with several lateral branches - usually pine or fir. With holly you will need twice as many.

20. Amberleigh Says:
    December 15th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

    Thank you very much! I am trying to get the supplies together to make one for my grandfather who passed Christmas Eve 2003. My mom usually buys one, but she has moved quite a distance away.

21. Leah Barton Says:
    December 15th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

    My son passed away 6yrs. ago. This is the first time i want to give him a gift. It has been a very difficult time for myself and my family. You see, he was what you call a mom’s boy. I have come a long way.For me , this is part of the healing process.

22. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
    December 15th, 2008 at 3:36 pm

    Leah,

    Losing someone is very difficult. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. A grave blanket is a deeply sincere way to express the love you have for your son and a way to help with the healing process. Giving your son the gift of a Christmas grave blanket is a sweet memorial for a very special person. May comfort come to you and your family.

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