Christmas GarlandIdeas

Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun? It only feels like just yesterday that we were guiding you through making Christmas wreaths and now we’re on to our next festive decoration and showing you how to make your Christmas garland.

This decoration is perfect for placing around the home to introduce some Christmas cheer. Don’t worry, it’s not as daunting as it sounds and with our step-by-step guide, we’ll get you started on making your own with lots of inspirational decorating ideas.

Step-by-step on how to make a Christmas garland

Ready to get started? Here are our step-by-step instructions for everything you need to make a Christmas garland. While this guide is based on creating a natural garland with fresh foliage, feel free to shake it up and use alternative materials like dried flowers, colourful ribbons, or even feathers for a unique twist! We have a few decorative ideas later in this blog.

What You’ll Need:

  • Rope
  • Scissors
  • Mix of Fresh Foliage
  • Decorations
  • Floral Wire

Choose where it goes – Before you dive in, decide where your garland will go! Whether draping over the dining table, cascading down the staircase, or snuggled up on the mantel, your choice will guide the length and style you need.

Prepare the base – Once you’ve figured out the length you need, grab your scissors and cut a piece of rope to fit. But wait! Before chopping add a little extra length on each side for those ‘just in case moments.’ You can always trim it down later plus sometimes a bit of extra length can add a lovely, elegant droop to your garland!

Lay out your garland decorations – Gather your mix of fresh foliage. Spruce, conifer, eucalyptus, and holly are perfect choices that last well, but choose what brings you joy! Getting these from a local florist is a fantastic way to support nearby small businesses and get fresh, beautiful foliage.

Plan your garland decorations – Lay out your foliage and decorations along the length of your rope to roughly plan their placement. If using foliage, you may need to cut it into smaller pieces to make the layering process easier. Don’t worry about being exact - go with the flow and enjoy the process!

Add the foliage – Grab some floral wire and start layering small foliage bunches along the rope, wrap each bunch tightly with wire to hold it in place. Keep adding and overlapping in the same direction, laying the greens flat if the garland goes on a table or mantel. (Note: You don’t need to wrap the wire along the entire length of the rope; secure each bunch individually as you go.) When you reach the end, reverse the last piece of foliage to finish with a clean, polished look.

Decorate to your heart’s content – Here’s where you can have fun and make it yours! Traditional touches like dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, pine cones, or even a few spare baubles work beautifully. Just attach everything with wire, and you’re ready to go! Add as much or as little as you like, this part’s all about you.

Keep it sustainable – We all want to take a more sustainable approach to our decorations. After the season ends, take the garland apart to reuse the rope, wire, and decorations for next year. If you’re using dried or paper flowers, carefully pack these away and you can reuse year after year. Compost any foliage to keep it eco-friendly, and you’re all set to go green for the holidays!

Decoration ideas for Christmas garlands

Want to make your Christmas garland extra special? Here are some creative decoration ideas we believe can do just the job. Chances are, you already have many of these items around the house!

Christmas garland with lights 

Got fairy lights stashed away in the attic? Adding lights gives your garland a glow that says festive magic – trust us, they’ll be worth all the untangling. We suggest using warm-toned lights for that cosy holiday vibe.

If you’re using a plug-in set, make sure your garland is close enough to an outlet. Battery-powered lights are often easier, as you can tuck the pack under the garland. Whatever you do, remember to turn them off at night to keep them glowing until Christmas Day!

To decorate, wind the lights around your garland in a spiral pattern, leaving small gaps to space them evenly. If you’re working with a thicker garland, one string might look a little sparse, so go ahead and double up if you want more sparkle.

Christmas garland for stairs

Picture this: it’s Christmas morning, and you’re walking down the stairs, surrounded by a beautifully decorated, glowing garland. The perfect way to start a magical day!

You could dress up a traditional green foliage garland with some long, elegant bows that cascade down the stairs. Or why not get creative and instead of running a garland down the handrail try making a few shorter sections and wrapping them around every couple of spindles (they’re the vertical posts that connect the handrail to the base of the stair). Leaving 2-3 steps between garland sections adds a lovely, balanced look without overwhelming the space.

Looking for a fun alternative to traditional foliage? Transform your stair handrail into a snowy sledging scene! Roll a sheet of fluffy artificial snow along the rail, securing it with clear cable ties. Then, add a few cute stuffed animals like penguins or polar bears, attaching them with Velcro so they look like they’re sledging down the snow-covered rail!

If you’re aiming for a simpler look, hang some classic stockings along the railing, or place large wooden letters on each step spelling festive words like “NOEL” or “JOY.” These straightforward touches add charm and festive spirit without needing much effort.

Christmas table garland

Adding the garland to your Christmas dining table is a beautiful way to impress your guests and make the most of all your decorating efforts. Let’s face it, you’ve already worked to make everything festive, so why not make the table garland the star of the show?

Why not add fresh flowers for a natural touch! You could go for classic, British-grown poinsettias for a traditional look or sprinkle in delicate white flowers like baby’s breath or winter daffodils for a snowy effect. This is a great way to add height to the garland and you can choose flowers and colours that match your theme. If possible, grab your flowers or order a Christmas bouquet from us to arrive a day or two before the big day so they stay fresh and vibrant through the big meal.

If you’re sticking with a traditional green garland, why not use eucalyptus or mistletoe as your base. Then, because the garland is fairly flat, you can add decor on top or alongside them. Tall candles are a popular choice, adding height and a warm glow, but feel free to get creative! Mini snow-dusted trees, ceramic houses, bells, or even fun disco balls can bring a playful charm to the setup.

Don’t be afraid to make your garland a little longer than you need. Sometimes, letting it drape down either side of the table creates a lovely effect and adds elegance.

Christmas door garland

If you’re putting up a Christmas door garland this season, make it unforgettable! Firstly, you want to make sure it’s properly attached. If your door frame is brick, a couple of nails in each corner will do the trick. But if you’re worried about damage, try adhesive-backed hooks that stick firmly yet can be removed without a trace. Once the garland is in place, add some wire to ensure it stays secure, no matter the winter weather.

If you want to make this garland have the wow factor, why not go with big decorations such as oversized baubles that will catch everyone’s eye. Be creative with placement and play around with different colours. Add a touch of sparkle with some glittery ones to make everything shimmer and shine. Top it off with a big, festive bow for that finishing touch.

For something a little different, consider incorporating dried elements like pampas grass or wheat. These bring neutral tones and interesting textures that create a beautiful contrast with the greenery and make your garland truly stand out.

Christmas garland for fireplace

Finally, you’ve finished Christmas dinner, and everyone’s gathered around the fireplace for a cheesy holiday movie marathon or some family game time. Time for the fireplace garland to take centre stage.

Go for the personalised touch and attach your favourite family photos by clipping them on with small pegs or hanging them using a ribbon. Just make sure not to hang the photos too low to keep them clear of the fire’s warmth for safety!

For a dreamy touch, consider adding paper stars or snowflakes. You can easily find templates online, so if you’re in the mood for a little more DIY, this is a fun project to try. Pair your garland with a Christmas village on the mantel and hang a few stockings for that perfect holiday feel.

And that’s it! Now you have a complete guide to help you create a stunning Christmas garland. We hope these ideas inspire you to make yours unique and bring an extra dose of holiday cheer for you and your family. Remember, the joy of creating is part of the magic, so make sure you enjoy every moment.