A Traditional Christmas garland adds a festive touch and a special holiday feel to your home. A lush and full-looking garland is inviting and adds that extra touch of Christmas magic to your home. Christmas garlands are plentiful this time of year, with ready-made, artificial garlands or natural garlands available wherever garlands are sold.
However, a Christmas mantel garland often comes with a hefty price tag despite its beauty and attractiveness. So why not just make one yourself this holiday season? Creating a Christmas mantel is a simple, inexpensive DIY project that’s fun to make for the holidays.
So check out my simple step-by-step guide that combines artificial greenery with natural greenery (right from your backyard) to create the perfect illustrious and bountiful Christmas mantel garland.
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How to make Homemade Christmas Mantel Garland
Making a Christmas mantel garland is similar to making a Christmas wreath. This step-by-step process is an excellent way for you and your family to create something special for the holidays without breaking the bank. This festive Christmas garland can be used for the fireplace mantel or staircase.
Supplies Needed
- (2) 6-foot artificial garlands – I used inexpensive plain garlands for the base, but this artificial pine cypress garland is a good option.
- Floral Wire
- Greenery and foliage – I used conifer sprigs, heavenly bamboo, and eucalyptus. The style of greenery you choose will be entirely up to you.
- Decorative floral accent pieces – bright colored berries, holly, dried orange slices or fruits, or pine cones, ribbons, and ornaments will work for this project.
- Scissors
- Command hooks
- Optional – Fairy lights or mini string lights (battery-operated)
- Optional – Ribbons
Step 1 – Get the measurements of the mantel.
The first step is to measure the width of the mantel. Once you have the length, this will help you determine how much garland you need and the amount for the overhang.
Step 2 – Gather your greenery.
As discussed in the DIY Christmas wreath post, Wreath-like plant materials are abundant in the fall or winter, especially in your backyard. You’d be amazed at what you can find in your backyard. I was able to find traditional evergreen branches like a conifer, heavenly bamboo, and berries. So, shop around, go foraging in your yard and see what you can find. When foraging, try to look for different colors and textures to give the garland a varied appeal.
And if you can’t forage or you don’t want to use natural greenery, that’s just fine. You can find faux greenery that looks surprisingly real at Target, Hobby Lobby, or on Amazon. I used a combination of fake and fresh greenery for my own garland.
Step 3 – Fluff the garland.
The faux garland will set the shape for the design of the whole traditional garland. The more you can fluff the greenery, the fuller the entire garland will be.
Step 4 – Cut the greenery.
The next step is to cut individual pieces of greenery. Cut them into varying lengths and pieces. Allow for imperfections with your fresh-cut greens. Once done, place them in a pile by the bundle. You can use fake or real greenery here. Mix up the greenery to create the bundles that will be affixed to the base.
Step 5 – Add greenery to the base.
Now it’s time to add greenery to the base of the garland. Layer as much greenery as you like to create a much fuller garland. I combined conifer, eucalyptus, and heavenly Bamboo bundle. Attach the greenery bundle to the base of the greenery using the floral wire. Then overlap the next piece of greenery bundle, and lay it over the existing greenery while covering more ground on the garland. Continue to do this with additional greenery until the entire garland is covered with the bundles.
Step 6 – Hang the garland over the mantel.
Now it’s time to hang the garland. Carefully lay your garland on top of the mantel. Make sure to position the garland so that it is on the center of the mantel, and the garland can evenly hang on the sides. If your mantel is not as wide as mine, or you prefer to hang the garland off the front of the mantel, then use command hooks to protect the mantel. The removable command hooks will hold the garland in place and protect the wood from damage.
Step 7 – Add decorative accent pieces.
Get creative here. This is the best part. Add whatever accent piece you desire. You can include dry oranges, bells, ornaments, ribbons, bows, or pine cones. I used red berries to add a pop of color to my garland. This is all a matter of personal preference. You can also Integrate fairy lights or Christmas lights. Adding lights will add that special magical touch to your garland.
Step 8 – Step back and inspect your creative wreath.
Please take a look at the garland to ensure it looks the way you want it to. This is your opportunity to add your finishing touches. If some of the branches are tucking out, use more florist wire to pull them in. You can also use scissors to cut off any excess pieces that are sticking out or are too long.
And there you have it – a perfectly made, beautiful holiday garland.
How long does fresh garland last?
If you use live greenery, it will last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks – well beyond the holidays. Ultimately it will all depend on the temperatures in the home and how you take care of it. Just make sure that you bring a light mist to the garland or spritz it with water every couple of days to prevent it from drying out and prolong the life of any greenery. If you use faux greenery, it will last forever, and you can continue to reuse it year after year.
Where can I hang my Christmas Garland?
The beauty of this Christmas garland is that it is not exclusive to being hung over the mantel. Garlands are extremely versatile. So, if you don’t have a mantel, you can hang your beautiful garlands in the following areas:
- Down the middle of a table as a Christmas centerpiece
- Around the staircase handrail or banister
- Around or above the doorway
- On the front door
- On the front porch
- An accent piece on a bare wall in the living room
- on a large mirror
- Above a window
What kind of Christmas decorations do you use during the holidays? Where do you plan to hang this beautiful Christmas garland? Leave a note below with your thoughts or comments about the garland.
Need more DIY project inspiration for Christmas? Check out How to make a Christmas Pillow and DIY Secret Santa gift basket ideas.
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
