Memorial Day isn’t just the unofficial start of summer.
It’s the one day set aside to remember the men and women who died serving in the U.S. military. Putting a wreath on your front door is a small but real way to mark that.
You don’t need to be a crafter or spend a lot of money to do it well.
Below are the Memorial Day wreath ideas organized by style, from classic red, white, and blue ribbon wreaths to heartfelt military tribute designs most people haven’t seen before.
Why We Celebrate Memorial Day
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May.
It started after the Civil War as “Decoration Day,” when communities began placing flowers and flags on the graves of fallen soldiers.
By the late 1800s, it had become a national day of mourning, and Congress officially named it Memorial Day in 1967.
The red poppy became a symbol of military remembrance after the 1915 poem “InFlanders Fields” by Lt. Col. John McCrae, which described poppies growing over soldiers’ graves.
The American Legion still distributes red poppies every Memorial Day.
If you want your wreath to say something beyond “patriotic decor,” a poppy wreath does that better than almost anything else on this list.
Classic Front Door Wreaths
These are the most common Memorial Day wreaths for a reason. They’re easy to find, easy to make, and they look good on almost any front door.
Quick sizing note: A standard single front door looks best with a 24”–26” wreath. Double doors or oversized entries need at least 30”. This is the most common buying mistake, and no one mentions it.
1. Classic Red, White & Blue Ribbon Wreath
The one you’ve seen on every porch in the neighborhood.
Layers of wired ribbon (red, white, and blue) wrapped or looped onto a wire wreath frame. The wired ribbon holds its shape even in the wind, which is why this style has stuck around.
You can find everything at Hobby Lobby or Michaels for under $20, and it takes about half an hour if you’ve never made one before.
Use a textured ribbon (burlap weave, satin edge, or velvet) rather than plain flat ribbon. It photographs better and holds up longer outside.
2. Deco Mesh Patriotic Wreath
Deco mesh is the frilly, ruffled material you see on large wreaths that seem almost too full to be real.
It’s surprisingly easy to work with.
You pull it through a wire frame in loops, and it puffs out on its own. Red, white, and blue deco mesh from the craft store, a few pipe cleaners to secure it, and you’re done.
This style has great visual impact from the street, which is why it works so well on front doors.
3. Burlap and Stars Wreath
Natural burlap ribbon wrapped around a grapevine or foam base, with star-shaped picks or embellishments tucked in.
The warm tan of burlap softens the patriotic palette into something that looks more farmhouse than Fourth of July parade.
Works especially well on dark-stained doors where bright red-white-blue can look too loud.
DIY Wreaths with Ribbon & Embellishments
All four of these can be made with supplies from Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby, or Amazon.
4. Pull-Bow Ribbon Wreath
Probably the most forgiving wreath you can make.
You loop ribbon through the wire frame. No hot glue, no wiring, no skill required.
Pull bows from Dollar Tree in red, white, and blue, a wire wreath frame, and you’re done. It won’t win any craft competition, but it will look good on a door for $8.
5. Dollar Tree Wreath
Wire frame + ribbon + star picks, everything from Dollar Tree.
Total cost: $8–$10. The picks are the key.
They add structure and make it look more finished than it has any right to be at that price. Great option if you want something on the door but don’t want to spend time or money on it.
6. Burlap and Lace Wreath
Burlap ribbon and white lace ribbon alternated on a grapevine base, with red floral picks or small flag accents.
The lace softens it.
This Memorial Day wreath doesn’t scream “patriotic decor” from across the street. Better fit for cottage, farmhouse, or vintage-style homes. You’ll need a hot glue gun for this one.
7. Eucalyptus and Ribbon Wreath
Greenery-forward wreaths have been trending in home decor for a few years, and they work well for Memorial Day.
Faux or dried eucalyptus on a grapevine base, with red and navy ribbon woven through rather than dominating.
For anyone who wants patriotism without the red, white, and blue overload. This is the version for people who hate most patriotic wreaths but still want something on the door.
Military Tribute & Poppy Wreaths
This is the section most wreath roundups skip entirely. If you want your wreath to actually reflect what Memorial Day is about, one of these three is worth considering.
8. Red Poppy Wreath
Red poppies are the traditional flower of military remembrance, not just a pretty choice.
The association stems from the WWI poem “In Flanders Fields,” and the American Legion has distributed red poppies on Memorial Day since 1924.
Silk or paper poppies on a grapevine base, maybe with a small ribbon or flag pick added, and you have a wreath that actually means something.
Silk poppy bunches are easy to find at craft stores in spring.
This is genuinely the most underused wreath idea for this holiday. It’s also one of the simplest to make.
9. Gold Star / Blue Star Wreath
Blue Star and Gold Star are designations used by military families.
A Blue Star flag or ribbon honors an active service member. A Gold Star honors a service member who died in the line of duty.
Blue Star and Gold Star ribbons are available on Etsy and from military supply retailers. A simple wreath using the appropriate ribbon is a quiet, specific tribute.
Not everyone will recognize it, but those who do will.
10. Military Branch Color Wreath
Each branch of the military has its own colors: Army green, Navy blue, Air Force blue (and gold), Marine Corps scarlet and gold, Coast Guard blue and white.
If you’re honoring a specific person or family member, a wreath built around their branch colors is more personal than a generic red, white, and blue design.
Add a small branch insignia pick (available on Etsy or Amazon), and it becomes a real tribute rather than seasonal decor.
Simple & Budget-Friendly Wreaths
No special skills, minimal supplies, under $10.
11. Bandana Wreath
Fold red and blue bandanas into triangles and tie or attach them to a wire wreath ring.
That’s it.
Total cost is $5–$8. It’s casual, it’s fast, and it works. Good option for apartments, renters, or anyone who just wants something on the door without making a project of it.
12. Paper Flower Patriotic Wreath
Coffee filters or tissue paper folded into flowers and attached to a foam or wire base. Works in multiple colors, and it’s one of the few wreath projects that kids can actually help with.
Makes a good weekend activity the week before Memorial Day.
13. Five-Minute Flag Ribbon Wreath
One wire wreath frame.
One roll of American flag ribbon from the craft store or Dollar Tree. Loop the ribbon through the frame, done.
Under $6 and takes five minutes.
Not the most elaborate wreath on this list, but it’s on the door, it reads correctly for the holiday, and no one will complain.
Where to Buy a Ready-Made Memorial Day Wreath
If making one isn’t in the plan, here’s where to look:
- Etsy: best for handmade and custom wreaths, including military tribute designs and personalized options. Expect $40–$150+.
- Amazon: wide range, fast shipping. Look for ones listed as UV-resistant if it’s going outside. Mostly around $10-50$.
- Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Target, HomeGoods: in-store options in spring, usually $25–$60.
What to check before buying: UV-resistant materials if it’ll be in direct sunlight. Wire-reinforced ribbon if you live in a windy or humid area. Flat ribbon wilts fast outdoors.
Final Thought
Any wreath on this list can make a front door look thoughtful and finished. But for a day with real meaning behind it, the best choice is not always the prettiest one.
A red poppy wreath, a Gold Star wreath, or a branch-color design does more than decorate; it gently points back to remembrance, service, and sacrifice.
That small detail can change the whole feeling of your display.
Memorial Day is not just a seasonal marker. It is a day set aside to honor people who gave their lives in service.
A wreath that reflects that meaning, even subtly, is worth the extra five minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Memorial Day Wreath the Same as A 4th of July Wreath?
There’s overlap, but Memorial Day wreaths lean more toward remembrance: poppies, tribute elements, quieter color palettes.
Most of the simple ribbon wreaths on this list will work for both holidays if you want to leave them up.
How early can you put up a Memorial Day wreath?
The week before is common. If you choose a general patriotic design rather than something Memorial Day-specific, it can stay up through the 4th of July.
