Decorating graves for holidays is a tradition that spans centuries.
Many cultures decorate graves during holiday celebrations or on the anniversary of the deceased's birth or death. Florists capitalize on these traditions by selling wreaths, crosses and other decorative items, most of which can be made easily at home. Honoring the dead by hand-making crafts to decorate their graves can be a cathartic, deeply personal experience.
Wreath
Wreaths are one of the most popular symbols at grave sites. Florists sell funeral wreaths made of fresh or artificial flowers, but grievers can make attractive wreaths easily and cheaply by buying a foam ring at a craft store, then covering it with flowers, moss, paper, ribbon or material. For a more natural appearance, roll grapevines into a circular shape, then tuck the ends around the circle to hold it closed. Weave fallen leaves, ferns and flowers between the vines for a decorative touch.
Cross
If the deceased was Christian, a cross makes a good craft. As with wreaths, craft stores sell foam crosses you can adorn with fresh or artificial flowers, or pretty much anything else that either glues to or perforates the foam mold. Woodworkers can fashion crosses out of hardwood, then paint or stain them. Those with carving talent can carve embellished crosses out of cedar logs. Children can make crosses by gluing ice pop sticks together and decorating them with ribbons, tempera paint, or feathers.
Grave Blanket
Grave blankets are a winter tradition in colder climates. They cover the ground in front of the headstone for about 4 to 6 feet with evergreen branches and sometimes artificial flowers. To make a grave blanket, BudgetBlankets.com suggests making a wooden frame the size you want the blanket, then covering the frame with chicken wire. Attach evergreen branches, flowers and other decorative items to the chicken wire with floral wire.
Photos and Frames
Pictures of the deceased from happy times gives grave sites an uplifting touch. Upload photos to one of the major drugstore or big box store photo processing websites, then use the tools there to create photo collages with custom messages. You can place these collages in handmade, decorative frames. Craft stores sell wooden photo frame shells suitable for painting, staining and decorating with foam cutouts, stickers or stencils. You can also buy a simple wooden, metal or plastic frame at a discount store, then decorate it by repainting or gluing flowers or beads on it. If you decide to decoupage a frame, use an outdoor decoupage medium to withstand the elements.
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