With six kids, Christmas is a huge event at our house! From picking the perfect present for everyone to keeping up with traditions like serving seven kinds of fish on Christmas Eve, December is always a whirlwind. Decorations are a must, and with so little time during the holidays, here’s an easy DIY Christmas garland to help make your home look warm and festive this season!
The use of Christmas greenery has been a thing even before Christmas was a thing. Back in the days of ancient Egypt, wreaths and laurels were all the rage. Different ancient cultures used garlands to adorn statues of their gods, commemorate the deceased, and honor their heroes and victors.
In early Britain, people liked to decorate with “kissing boughs” to greet holiday guests. Over time, these garlands and wreaths started featuring fruits, berries, ribbons, and ornaments. Kissing boughs were basically the predecessors of today’s mistletoe decorations.
It’s unclear who first started the Christmas garland tradition, but it’s a fun practice to keep alive!
Nowadays, there are countless ways to create your own DIY Christmas garlands. While the ancient Egyptians and people in Tudor England didn’t have the luxury of a dollar store, nowadays you can use everything from crochet projects to candy canes to create a garland. There are tutorials involving pom-poms, snowflakes, and Christmas lights. I’m not the biggest fan of crafts, but I must admit, some festive DIY really makes a house feel cozy.
I personally lean towards decorations that have a natural vibe, so I like to use fruits, evergreen garlands, and similar items. It really comes down to what you prefer and what you have available. Here are some ideas for materials you can use to craft your own Christmas garland.
Want to try more Christmas decoration ideas this holiday season? Here are some other garland ideas. There’s nothing like DIY Christmas decorations to say Merry Christmas!
Once you’ve made your DIY Christmas garland, where do you put it? This largely depends on your home’s layout, but here are a few ideas on where to hang it.
Got your materials and a spot to hang the garland? Great! Now it’s time to put it together. Some things are best tied on with twine or jute string, while others are better threaded on with fishing line. Hot glue and ribbon work too.
You can string cranberries, cinnamon sticks, leaves, and dried citrus slices using fishing line and a needle. Pine cones can be attached with string or fishing line, or you can use a hot glue gun. It’s easy to mix and match to create unique combinations! If you need inspiration, here’s a simple DIY Christmas garland project. It’s a fun activity to do with the family and a great way to get the kids involved.
How do you decorate your home for Christmas? We’d love to hear your ideas!
