17 Christmas Garland Ideas for a Festive Home

A handmade Christmas garland adds a finished line to a mantel, stair rail, or doorway. You can string one from fruit, felt, paper, or fresh greenery. Most take an hour or two with simple supplies. These seventeen Christmas garland ideas range from natural and rustic to bright and playful. Measure your space first so you make the right length.

In this post: 17 ideas

Dried orange and bay leaf garland
Felt holly garland
Paper chain garland
Wood bead and tassel garland
Crochet snowflake garland
Pinecone and burlap garland
Mini mitten fabric garland
Folded paper star garland
Popcorn and cranberry garland
Yarn pompom garland
Mini gingerbread felt garland
Ribbon bow garland
Eucalyptus and cedar garland
Paper honeycomb ornament garland
Crochet Christmas tree garland
Salt dough star garland
Tiny wooden house garland

1. Dried orange and bay leaf garland

Christmas garland of dried orange slices and bay leaves

Dry orange slices in a low oven and thread them onto twine. Add whole bay leaves between the slices.

The scent lasts for days. Space the pieces evenly along the string. This suits a kitchen or mantel.

2. Felt holly garland

Cut felt holly leaves and red berry circles and stitch them onto a cord. Keep the clusters evenly spaced.

Two shades of green add depth. Leave a loop at each end to hang it. The felt holds its shape year to year.

3. Paper chain garland

Cut red and green paper strips and loop them into a classic chain. Glue or staple each link.

Kids can make long lengths fast. Mix in a few patterned strips. This is the easiest garland on the list.

4. Wood bead and tassel garland

String large wood beads on jute and add a cord tassel at each end. Space the beads in small groups.

Leave the beads natural or paint a few. A sliding knot lets you adjust it. This suits a modern, calm room.

5. Crochet snowflake garland

Crochet small snowflakes in white cotton and link them along a chain. Starch each one so it holds its shape.

Even spacing keeps the line tidy. These crochet Christmas garland pieces store flat. Block the snowflakes before joining.

6. Pinecone and burlap garland

Tie small pinecones and burlap bows along a length of jute. Alternate the two for rhythm.

A few red berries add color. Keep the cones a similar size. This one leans rustic and natural.

7. Mini mitten fabric garland

Cut tiny mittens from festive fabric and sew or clip them to a string. Pair them like real mittens.

Mix prints that share one color. A clothespin version is quick to change. This suits a child room or playroom.

8. Folded paper star garland

Fold paper stars and thread them through the center onto string. Use two or three paper colors.

Space the stars so each one shows. This paper Christmas garland folds flat for storage. Add a dab of glue to hold each star.

9. Popcorn and cranberry garland

Thread plain popcorn and fresh cranberries onto strong thread with a needle. Alternate for a striped look.

Let the popcorn go slightly stale first so it holds. This is a classic tree or mantel piece. Compost it after the season.

10. Yarn pompom garland

Make yarn pompoms in red, green, and white and string them on cord. Keep them full and round.

A pompom maker speeds this up. Trim each one even. Soft and light, it suits a child space.

11. Mini gingerbread felt garland

Cut small gingerbread figures from felt and stitch white icing lines. Clip or sew them to a cord.

Add tiny button details. These felt Christmas garland figures look sweet on a shelf. Keep the spacing even.

12. Ribbon bow garland

Tie small bows from mixed ribbons and attach them along a cord. Fluff each loop as you go.

Stick to a simple color set. Trim the tails at an angle. This adds a soft, pretty line to a rail.

13. Eucalyptus and cedar garland

Wire fresh eucalyptus and cedar sprigs together into a flowing garland. Overlap each sprig to hide the base.

Mist it to keep it fresh longer. Add a few pinecones or berries. This greenery suits a dining table runner.

14. Paper honeycomb ornament garland

String small paper honeycomb balls along a cord. Pick two or three bright colors.

They open flat for storage. This paper Christmas garland adds quick color. Keep the balls a similar size.

15. Crochet Christmas tree garland

Crochet small green trees and link them on a chain. A gold bead marks each treetop.

Keep the stitch count the same for a uniform look. Block each tree flat. This reuses leftover yarn well.

16. Salt dough star garland

Cut salt dough stars, bake them hard, and paint them. Poke a hole in each before baking.

Thread them on twine with beads between. These salt dough Christmas garland stars last for years. Seal the paint for shine.

17. Tiny wooden house garland

Cut small house shapes from thin wood and string them in a row. Add a dot of paint for doors and windows.

Leave gaps so each house shows. A warm wood tone suits a rustic mantel. These little houses work all winter.

Hanging your Christmas garland

Secure your Christmas garland with small hooks or clear tape every few feet. Keep the center drape even on a mantel or rail. Add lights behind it for a soft evening glow.

For more holiday makes, see our DIY Christmas ornament ideas and Christmas wood crafts. Working with fresh greenery? This garland overview helps, and our farmhouse Christmas decor pairs well with natural styles.