Garland is the hardest-working decoration in Christmas: it dresses mantels, staircases, doorways, tables, and chandeliers with one simple strand. Whether you go fresh for the scent, faux for longevity, or DIY for pure satisfaction, the right garland pulls your whole holiday look together. Here are 15 ideas spanning all three styles, plus the hanging and care tips that keep garland gorgeous from December through New Year.

Fresh Greenery Garlands

Nothing beats the scent and texture of real greenery. Cedar garland is the gold standard: soft, fragrant, and it holds its needles far longer than spruce. Noble fir and white pine garlands bring a classic look with good needle retention, while magnolia leaf garland adds a Southern elegance with its glossy two-tone leaves. Buy fresh garland as close to decorating day as possible, keep it misted, and expect 3 to 4 weeks of good looks indoors. For the best value, layer one fresh strand with one faux strand: you get the scent and texture of real greenery at half the cost.

Faux Garlands That Look Real

Modern faux garland has come a long way: the best pieces are nearly indistinguishable from real greenery. Look for "real touch" or PE (polyethylene) garlands with varied needle lengths and colors rather than uniform green plastic. Pre-lit options with warm white lights save hours of work, and Norfolk pine or mixed-cedar styles photograph beautifully. Faux garland is the smart choice for staircases, high doorways, and outdoor use where fresh greenery would dry out. Buy it once and it serves you for a decade, which also makes it the most sustainable option long term.

15 DIY Garland Ideas

Handmade garland is personal, affordable, and endlessly customizable:

  • Dried orange slice garland: Dehydrate orange slices and string them with twine and cinnamon sticks. Fragrant and gorgeous.
  • Popcorn and cranberry: The old-fashioned classic. Use a needle and strong thread; it takes an evening and looks like childhood.
  • Pinecone garland: Wire pinecones to a jute rope, adding small bells or ribbon between each one.
  • Paper star garland: Fold simple origami stars from kraft or metallic paper and string them along twine.
  • Felt ball garland: String colorful wool felt balls in your palette for a playful, modern look.
  • Eucalyptus and berry: Wire eucalyptus sprigs and faux berries to a base rope for an elegant, fragrant strand.
  • Cookie garland: String undecorated gingerbread or sugar cookies with ribbon for an edible, nostalgic touch.
  • Photo garland: Clip favorite holiday photos from past years to a strand with mini clothespins.
  • Ribbon cascade: Tie loops of 3 to 4 coordinating ribbons along a base rope for pure color and texture.
  • Wooden bead garland: String large wooden beads with sprigs of greenery for Scandinavian simplicity.
  • Cinnamon stick bundles: Tie cinnamon sticks into small bundles with twine and wire them along a rope.
  • Bottle brush tree garland: Wire mini bottle brush trees to garland for a whimsical forest effect.
  • Fabric strip garland: Tie torn fabric strips in Christmas colors along twine for a cozy, farmhouse strand.
  • Ornament cluster garland: Wire groups of small shatterproof ornaments to a base rope in your tree's palette.
  • Magnolia and cotton: Combine magnolia leaves with cotton stems for a soft, Southern-inspired look.

Hanging and Care Tips

Great garland deserves a secure hang and a little maintenance:

  • Measure first: For a mantel, buy garland 1.5 times the mantel length so it drapes with a swag. For staircases, measure the banister run and add 20 percent.
  • Hide the fasteners: Use removable adhesive hooks on the underside of shelves, and clear zip ties or floral wire on banisters, tucked into the greenery.
  • Layer for fullness: Two thin garlands twisted together always look better than one thick one.
  • Mist fresh garland: A light misting with water every 2 to 3 days extends fresh garland life by weeks. Keep it away from heat vents and fireplaces.
  • Store faux properly: Coil faux garland loosely in a breathable bag, never crushed in a box, so the branches keep their shape for next year.