How to Decorate a Plain Christmas Garland: Top Tips and Ideas
When it comes to decking the halls, boughs of holly aren’t the only thing that can make your home jolly! Christmas garlands are the perfect way to spruce up your holiday decor and spread Christmas cheer across every room.
If you’re looking for a festive DIY project for all the family, why not tap into your creative side and transform a simple, plain garland into a dazzling display? Grab some supplies and steal our ideas to make a stunning Christmas garland that will knock Santa off his sleigh!
In this guide, we’ll cover:
What is a Christmas garland, and where did they come from?
What you will need to decorate a plain garland
5 ideas for decorating a plain garland
- Vintage Christmas garland
- Enchanted forest garland
- Winter spice garland
- Golden glamour garland
- Rustic woodland garland
Top tips for how to decorate a plain garland
How to decorate a plain garland with children
Why decorate a plain Christmas garland?
Find everything you need for decorating a plain garland at Christmas Tree World
FAQs about decorating a plain garland
What is a Christmas garland, and where did they come from?
A Christmas garland is an arrangement of foliage typically made of the branches of an evergreen tree. During the holiday season, Christmas garlands are commonly draped over mantelpieces, bannisters, and doorways and decorated with baubles, ribbons, and lights.
Much like the Christmas wreath, the use of garlands dates back to Greek and Roman times, far before Christmas was celebrated. They became associated with Christmas festivities when people began using them to decorate their homes during winter solstice celebrations.
Years later, hanging adorned garlands around the house is a staple of the Christmas season for families all around the world.
What better way to put a personal twist on this tradition than to decorate your own?
What you will need to decorate a plain garland
There is no right or wrong when it comes to arts and crafts. What you’ll need depends on what theme you choose for your garland.
The only essential item is a plain Christmas garland - at Christmas Tree World, we have several options. Our 6ft Ultra Mixed Pine Garland and 9ft Arbor Vitae Garland are certainly up to the job!
Here are a few other supplies that might come in handy:
- A hot glue gun
- Garden/floral wire
- Fishwire or decorative ties
- Scissors
- Ribbon
- Foilage, flowers, and seasonal plants
- Fairy lights
- Baubles and bells
- Dried fruits and winter spices
- Vintage toys/baubles
- Whimsical decorations
- Fake snow
- Glitter spray/spray paint
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. With our inspiration and your imagination, the sky is the limit!
5 ideas for decorating a plain garland
Now you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to let your inspiration loose!
When it comes to dressing up a Christmas garland, the possibilities are endless, and there’s no “right” or “wrong” approach. It's all about reflecting your personal style and enjoying the process!
Consider complementing the existing colours and textures of your space. For a professional aesthetic, you could decorate a plain wreath and garland in the same style as your artificial Christmas tree.
1. Vintage Christmas garland
Evoke the charm of Christmases past with a traditional, nostalgic Christmas garland. Create this timeless look using a traditional festive colour palette of red, green, and gold; baubles, bows, and beads; and old-fashioned toys and decorations.
Follow these steps to create a vintage garland:
- Wrap classic red, green, or plaid ribbon around the garland, or tie ribbons into neat bows and use a hot glue gun to attach them.
- Gather a selection of small red and gold baubles and tie them to the garland’s longer branches. Then, add in vintage baubles and toys like nutcrackers, festive figurines, and tin toys.
- Weave in strings of beads or pearls for a retro finish.
2. Enchanted forest garland
If you’re dreaming of a fairytale Christmas, an enchanted forest garland is the design for you. This would pair great with a white or snowy Christmas tree for a magical winter wonderland theme.
- Spray or sprinkle fake snow over a plain green garland, then wrap warm or bright white lights around it.
- Add whimsical decorations like mushrooms, tiny woodland creatures, and fairy figurines.
- Weave through white plants like mistletoe, snowdrops, and gypsophila, then incorporate moss and ferns to create a lush forest floor effect.
- Finish with glittering accents like small stars, crystals, or frosted baubles to give the garland an ethereal quality.
3. Winter spice garland
Not only is this garland a feast for the eyes, it’s also guaranteed to fill your home with the sweet scent of seasonal fruits and spices. Create this sensory delight using a plain green garland by following these steps:
- Weave through sprigs of fresh greenery, such as cedar, fir, and eucalyptus, to add volume and scent to your garland.
- Oven or air-dry citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, then make them into baubles by tying them onto fish wire. Alternatively, hot glue them directly to the garland.
- Add clusters of holly and cranberries for a pop of festive red and cinnamon sticks and star anise for a hint of spice.
- If the smells of Christmas are at the top of your wishlist, sprinkle cinnamon, cedarwood, or citrus-scented essential oils over your completed garland.
4. Golden glamour garland
With shining baubles and glittering boughs, this garland simply oozes luxury. This creation is a perfect co-star for our tinsel pop-up Christmas trees. Here’s how to make this elegant garland:
- Wrap a set of warm fairy lights around the garland, and dust it with magic using metallic gold spray paint or glitter spray.
- Tie on ornaments like bronze and gold baubles, shining stars, and bells, then wrap around strings of gold beads or chains.
- Add oversized gold bows to give your garland the ‘wow’ factor.
5. Rustic woodland garland
Capture the cosy charm of a rustic woodland Christmas with a garland that brings the forest indoors. Think woodsy textures, earthy tones, and natural elements. Here’s how to create this slice of the forest:
- Gather your supplies. Take the kids on a Christmas hunt for twigs, holly, acorns, and pinecones. Eucalyptus and dried orange slices are also a great finishing touch.
- Weave warm white lights around the garland and add textural ties like jupe, burlap, or twine.
- Use textural ties or invisible fish wire to attach holly, twigs, and branches to the garlands.
- Stick down the fiddlier decorations like acorns, pinecones, and orange slices.
Top tips for how to decorate a plain garland
Now you’ve been inspired, we’d like to share a few tips for decorating any plain garland.
- Check out our Decorating a Plain Wreath blog post for 5 ways to jazz up a Christmas wreath. We’ll let you into a secret: these ideas are also perfect for decorating a garland!
- Consider where you’re going to hang your garland. For example, if it’s going on your dinner table near naked candles, it’d be unwise to use a real, flammable garland. A flame-retardant artificial garland is the better option.
- Garlands made from real evergreen trees usually only last 1-2 weeks indoors, so factor this in before buying one. For a decoration that will last for years, we'd recommend purchasing an artificial plain Christmas garland.
- Most importantly, don’t be afraid to go off-piste and style your garland creatively. Remember, your only limitation is your imagination!
How to decorate a plain garland with children
Decorating a plain garland is the perfect festive family activity. When kids are involved, it's wise to take some extra precautions.
- Garlands are a potential choking hazard; keep an eye on your children while they’re getting crafty to ensure your garland doesn’t wind around their necks.
- Make sure an adult is always on hand to supervise when using tools such as a hot glue gun, scissors, and lights.
- Laying protective sheeting on your workspace will make cleaning up easier, especially if you’re using spray paint or fake snow.
- Children may get frustrated if their vision isn’t going to plan, so recount the wise words of Bob Ross: “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents”.
If you’re looking for more crafty projects to get your children into the Christmas spirit, you could paint your own Christmas bauble, decorate a plain wreath, or make Christmas crackers. Our blog is full of ideas to keep the fun flowing.
Why decorate a plain Christmas garland?
You might opt for a homemade Christmas garland over a store-bought one for many reasons. Here are a few benefits of working a little DIY (Decorate-It-Yourself) magic:
- If you can’t find the perfect garland to match your decor, decorating your own gives you total creative freedom to create the arrangement of your dreams.
- Store-bought garlands can be expensive. You can spruce up a plain garland to achieve a million-dollar look, even on a tight budget.
- Decorating your own Christmas garland adds a personal touch. You and your family can proudly gaze upon your creation for many Christmases to come.
- If your garland is looking a little outdated by next Christmas, you can strip it back and decorate it all over again.
- If you’ve had fun decorating your own wreath and loved the results, making a garland to match is the perfect activity to try next.
Find everything you need for decorating a plain garland at Christmas Tree World
Christmas Tree World, we have all the decorations and ideas you need to transform a simple Christmas garland into a stunning centrepiece for your winter wonderland.
From our artificial garlands; to baubles of all shapes, sizes, and colours; to twinkling Christmas lights, you’ll have everything you need to craft the perfect garland. If DIY isn’t your thing, we also offer pre-decorated and pre-lit garlands that arrive ready to sparkle and shine.
And it doesn’t stop there; our artificial Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, and outdoor products are all you need to transform your home into a wonderland!
We offer a 10-year guarantee on all foliage products (that’s trees, wreaths, and garlands), so you can relax knowing that your plain garland will hang proudly for years to come. Better yet, you’ll get free, tracked delivery when you spend over £30!
Our elves really know their stuff! They’re on standby to answer any questions you might have, so don’t hesitate to get in touch via the customer helpdesk.
FAQs about decorating a plain garland
Where should I hang my Christmas garland?
Christmas garlands are a versatile decoration that make beautiful finishing touches for any room.
You could drape your garland:
- On a mantelpiece
- On your dining table
- On a bannister
- Over a door frame
- Attach it to a beam
- On a piano
- On a wall
- Around curtain poles
- Around candlesticks
A Christmas garland also makes an excellent outdoor decoration. If you’re making a garland to hang outside, remember that it isn’t safe from the elements. For outdoor garlands, it's best to avoid fairy lights and non-waterproof objects. You could drape this:
- Over your front door
- Around garden arches
- On a wendy house/playhouse
- Across exterior windows
How do you put up a Christmas garland?
How you put up your garland will depend on where you plan to place it.
Use ties: For a garland that doesn’t budge, you can tie it to furniture or fixtures using invisible or decorative ties. Zip ties, fish wire, decorative ties, or ribbon work great.
Use hooks or nails: Hooks and nails are your best friends when it comes to making sure your garland stays secure. Removable command hooks or small nails can anchor your garland to a wall, doorframe, or mantlepiece without causing damage when removed.
Drape it: To decorate a mantle, table, or piano with a garland, simply place it on top of the object. To make sure it doesn’t budge, you can secure it with zip ties, fish wire, or decorative ribbon.
Hang it around fixtures: To decorate a bannister or curtain pole, weave your garland around these existing fixtures. Again, ties can be used to secure the garland for an extra bit of stick.
Bundle it up: A garland doesn’t have to be draped in a line. You could also bunch up the foliage for a luscious effect. Try placing your bundled garland around candlesticks, in the corner of a windowsill, or under your fireplace.
Stick it down: If you’re not too worried about leaving marks behind, artificial garlands can be attached to walls or objects using super glue. Be warned! This may not make for a clean removal.
How can I update my plain Christmas garland for the next holiday season?
If your garland is in need of a makeover to keep up with Christmas tree trends, stripping it back and starting from scratch is no great challenge.
Baubles and ribbons can easily be untied, whilst lights, foliage, and tinsel can be unwoven from the leaves. To remove objects attached with a hot glue gun, soak a cotton ball with 70% isopropyl alcohol and dab it around the glue until it loosens.
You’ll be left with a blank canvas ready for your next project!
Why choose an artificial plain Christmas garland?
Our tips and ideas are great for decorating any garland, natural or artificial. Maybe we’re biased, but we’d opt for an artificial Christmas garland because:
- You can use them year after year: A real garland can hang indoors for around 1-2 weeks. Our artificial garlands thrive for years, so you can admire your handiwork for many Christmases to come.
- Artificial garlands are safer: Leaves and branches are flammable, while our artificial foliage is flame-retardant. If you plan on adding lights to your creation, it's worth considering that an artificial garland won’t catch fire.
- Nature is unpredictable: Real garlands are fiddly to work with, sharp pines can fall off and prick little fingers and paws. Particularly if you’re decorating with kids, choosing a sturdy, artificial garland that can withstand a bit of manhandling is better.
How do you attach baubles to Christmas garlands?
You can hang baubles on your garland by tying them to the larger branches, though this may be trickier if you use large baubles. If you’re having trouble, another option is to use a hot glue gun to stick the bauble directly to the garland.
How do you attach lights to Christmas garlands?
For a warm glow, simply wrap your Christmas lights around or between the boughs of your garland. If using battery-powered lights, tuck the battery pack between the bushels of the garland where it is out of sight.
