How to Make a Festive Garland

There’s something really special about decorating your home for the festive season, and a garland is one of the simplest ways to add warmth and cheer.

Draped over a doorway, wrapped around a bannister, or hung above a fireplace, a homemade garland instantly makes a space feel cosy and inviting. You can easily make your own using seasonal greenery and a few simple tools — no need for anything expensive.

What you need to make your own festive garland

• Greenery (fir, pine, eucalyptus, ivy, holly — whatever’s available locally). Tip: If using fresh foliage, store it cool and hydrated (stems in water or wrapped in a damp towel) until you build.

• Secateurs or sharp scissors

• Florist wire or natural twine

• Decorations: dried oranges, pine cones, cinnamon sticks, ribbon, fairy lights

Step 1: Measure your base

Measure the space where you plan to hang the garland (top of doorframe or where you’ll hang it). Cut your base line to length with an extra 15–20cm at each end for tying. You can also fix temporary hooks where it will hang, so you can check the span as you go but I didn’t actually feel the need to do this.

Step 2: Gather Your Greenery

Look for foliage that’s in season and easy to source. You can often find clippings in your garden, at local markets, or even ask at a Christmas tree farm if they have spare offcuts. Using what’s around you not only keeps costs down, but also makes your garland more sustainable.

Cut the greenery into 15–25cm pieces.

Step 3: Build the Base

Start by creating small bunches of greenery, mixing different textures (like fir with eucalyptus and a sprig of ivy) to give depth. Secure around 3-5 stems together with florist wire or twine.

Now get your base line from earlier and lay it on a table or the floor. Then, attach the first bundle at one end, stems facing the same direction as your travel, by using 3-5 tight wraps of wire or twine.

Add the next bundle, overlapping it slightly so that the previous one is hidden. Bind again. Make sure your wrap it nice and tightly. Work in the same direction along the length until you reach the end of the line or your desired size. For a centre swag style, build from both ends towards the middle so the foliage points down to a central “V”.

Step 3: Add Decorations

Once the base is ready, you can leave it simple and natural, or decorate with festive extras. Dried orange slices, pine cones, or cinnamon sticks bring colour and fragrance. You can tie them in with twine or use a hot glue gun if you’d like them firmly fixed. For an extra cosy touch, weave a ribbon or a string of fairy lights through the greenery (secure the battery pack discreetly at the back or side)

Make your own dried oranges: Slice 0.5cm thick, pat dry, bake on a rack at ~90–100°C for 2–3 hours, turning a few times until dry.

Step 4: Hang Your Garland

Use strong hooks, nails, or command strips to secure the garland above your door or wherever it’s going. If it’s going outside, make sure everything is tied tightly so it can withstand the weather. Step back and tweak: fill any gaps with extra sprigs tucked and wired in.

Care & Maintenance

• For fresh greenery, mist lightly every few days (outdoor garlands usually cope well in cool weather).
• Keep lights on a timer to save batteries.
• If a piece dries out or sags, snip it off and replace with a fresh sprig.

Low Waste Tip

• Source smart: Ask a local tree lot for offcuts, or use garden prunings and windfall.

• No plastic tinsel needed: Natural textures do the heavy lifting; choose reusable ribbon/lights.

• After the holidays: Untie decorations to reuse next year. Compost the greenery; save cones and citrus if still in good shape.

Things to consider

• Use outdoor-rated lights and weatherproof battery packs if hanging outside.

• Keep lights away from direct rain where possible and avoid contact with metal door knockers to prevent rattling in wind.

• Mind door clearance so the garland doesn’t catch when opening/closing.

For more tips and tricks, I share how I made the large garland decoration in our kitchen in the following YouTube video on my channel. Making your own festive garland is a lovely way to bring nature into your home during the winter months.

It’s simple, sustainable, and much more attractive than any plastic item from shop. Plus, the process of gathering greenery and putting it all together is the most relacing Christmas activity!

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