Christmas Garland With Real Greenery

Create a beautiful Christmas garland with real greenery! Follow this simple guide to add a fresh, festive touch to your holiday decor.

Materials

6 foot Artificial Garland I used inexpensive plain garlands for the base dollar store.
Floral Wire
Greenery and Foliage I used conifer sprigs, heavenly bamboo, and eucalyptus leaves.
Decorative Floral Accent Pieces I used bright-colored berries from the backyard. You can opt for holly, pine cones, ribbons, and ornaments.
Scissors
Command hooks
Fairy lights or mini string lights (battery-operated)
Ribbons Optional

Instructions

Measure the Mantel
Begin by measuring the width of your mantel. This measurement will be important in determining both the length of the garland and the amount needed for any overhang.
Gather your Greenery
During the fall or winter, wreath-like plant materials can be readily available, especially in your own backyard. You’d be surprised by what you can discover right outside your door. In my case, I found traditional evergreen branches like conifer, heavenly bamboo, and berries in my yard.
So, take a look around, do a bit of foraging in your own space, and see what natural treasures you can unearth. While foraging, aim for a variety of colors and textures to lend the garland a diverse and appealing look.
However, if foraging isn’t your thing or you prefer not to use natural greenery, that’s perfectly alright, too. You can easily find artificial greenery that remarkably mimics the real thing at stores like Target, Hobby Lobby, or Amazon. I personally used a combination of fake and fresh greenery for my own garland.
Create a Base
The faux garland will set the shape for the design of the garland. The more you can fluff the greenery, the fuller the entire garland will be to serve as your base for garland.
Cut the Greenery
Now, let’s move on to the next stage – cutting individual pieces of greenery. Make sure to vary the lengths and sizes as you cut. Don’t worry about perfection; some natural variation is fine. After cutting, gather these pieces into bundles.
Mix and match the different types of greenery to create the bundles that will be attached to the base.
Add Greenery to the Base
Let’s move on to adding the greenery to the garland’s base. Layer the greenery as generously as you prefer to achieve a fuller look. In my example, I used a mix of conifer, eucalyptus, and heavenly bamboo bundles. Secure the greenery bundle to the base with floral wire.
Then, overlap the next greenery bundle, laying it over the existing greenery to cover more surface area on the garland. Repeat this process with more greenery bundles until the entire garland is covered.
Incorporate Decorative Accent Pieces
Now comes the fun part, where you can get creative. Feel free to add any accent pieces you like to personalize your garland. Consider options like dried oranges, bells, ornaments, ribbons, bows, or pine cones.
I chose to incorporate red berries to introduce a splash of color to my garland. This part is entirely up to your taste. You can also include fairy lights or Christmas lights if you’d like to infuse some enchantment into your garland.
Hang the Garland on the Fireplace Mantel
Now, let’s go ahead and hang the garland. Gently place it on the mantel, ensuring it’s centered and hangs evenly on both sides.
If your mantel is narrower than mine, or if you’d like to drape the garland off the front, consider using removable command hooks. These hooks will securely hold the garland in position while safeguarding your mantel from any potential damage.
Inspect and Add Finishing Touch to Your Garland
Take a moment to inspect the garland and make sure it aligns with your vision. This is your chance to add those final touches. If you notice any branches sticking out, simply use some more florist wire to tuck them in neatly. You can also use scissors to trim any excess pieces that may be protruding or overly long.
And there you have it – a perfectly made, beautiful holiday garland.