There’s a moment every December when the tree lights go on for the first time, and the difference between a tree that looks fine and one that looks finished usually comes down to garland. It wraps everything else together — the ornaments, the lights, the little gaps between branches that would otherwise look bare.
Diy christmas tree garland gives that finished look without a trip to a specialty store, since most versions use things already sitting in a craft drawer, a kitchen pantry, or a bag of leftover ribbon from last year. Some styles take an evening of quiet cutting and stringing, while others come together in the time it takes to boil water for tea. Here are fifteen ideas worth trying on your tree this season.
1. Popcorn Garland
This is the garland most people picture when they think of an old-fashioned tree. Pop a big batch of plain popcorn, let it cool completely, then thread it onto sturdy thread using a long needle, working in sections so the thread doesn’t get too heavy to manage. Mix in a few dried cranberries or beads every so often for color and to keep the popcorn from bunching too tightly together. Drape it loosely around the tree from top to bottom for a nostalgic, handmade look that costs almost nothing.
2. Cranberry Garland
Fresh cranberries make one of the simplest garlands you can string. Thread a large needle with sturdy thread, then push it through the center of each cranberry one at a time, sliding them down gently so they don’t crush under pressure. Keep the strand loose enough that the berries have a little give as you drape it around the tree. Cranberries hold their shape and color well for a few weeks indoors, making this a low-cost, low-waste option that composts easily once the season ends.
3. Dried Orange Slice Garland
The color and scent of dried citrus make this one worth the extra step of baking. Slice oranges into quarter-inch rounds and dehydrate them in a low oven until they’re firm and slightly leathery, flipping halfway through for even drying. Once cooled, thread them onto twine or thin cord using a needle, spacing the slices evenly along the length. Layer the finished garland over a bushier green garland for extra depth, or hang it on its own for a more minimalist, vintage-inspired look.
4. Wood Bead Garland
This one brings a soft, boho touch to a tree that leans more neutral. String wooden beads of a few different sizes onto sturdy bakers twine, spacing them out with small knots so they don’t all slide to one end. Mixing natural wood tones with a few painted or gold-dipped beads adds subtle variation without making the garland feel busy. Once finished, this style works well beyond the holidays too, since a neutral wood bead garland can be repurposed for everyday shelf decor in January.
5. Paper Fan Garland
For a modern, graphic look, skip greenery entirely and reach for cardstock instead. Fold rectangles of colored cardstock accordion-style, then pinch and secure the center of each folded piece with a small piece of tape or glue to create a fan shape. String the finished fans onto ribbon or twine at even intervals, alternating colors for a bold, playful pattern. This style works especially well against a plain green tree, since the bright paper shapes really pop from a distance.
6. Colorful Felt Garland
Leftover felt scraps from other projects finally get put to good use here. Cut simple shapes like circles, triangles, or mini trees from felt in whatever colors you have on hand, then thread them onto twine using a large needle, alternating shapes and colors as you go. Since felt doesn’t fray, there’s no need to finish the edges, which makes this one of the fastest garlands on the list to put together. Customize the palette to match traditional reds and greens or go with a full rainbow for something more playful.
7. Pom-Pom Garland
Few materials feel as soft and festive on a tree as a row of pom-poms. Make a batch of yarn pom-poms in a few different sizes and colors, using a fork or a pom-pom maker to keep the shapes consistent. Once trimmed neatly, tie or glue each pom-pom onto a length of twine at even intervals, leaving enough space between them that the garland drapes naturally rather than clumping. A mostly neutral palette with one or two bright accent colors keeps the look cohesive rather than chaotic.
8. Beaded Pearl Garland
For a more polished, elegant finish, pearl garland is hard to beat. String faux pearl beads onto thin, sturdy cord in a continuous strand, choosing a length generous enough to loop several times around a full tree. Wrap the finished strand loosely from top to bottom, tucking it into the branches at intervals so it catches the light from nearby lamps or the tree’s own string lights. This style pairs especially well with white or gold ornaments for a coordinated, sophisticated look.
9. Burlap Ribbon Garland
Burlap brings a rustic texture that plays especially well with a live tree. Cut lengths of wide burlap ribbon and drape it loosely around the tree in soft loops, letting the frayed edges show for extra texture rather than trimming them neat. Pair it with simple pinecone ornaments and a string of warm white lights so the natural materials feel intentional rather than mismatched. This style holds up well even on a real tree, since burlap doesn’t compete with the greenery the way shinier materials might.
10. Wire-Edged Ribbon Garland
A wire edge lets ribbon hold its shape instead of drooping flat against the branches. Cascade wire-edged ribbon down the tree in a loose wave, pinching and shaping it at intervals so it billows slightly away from the branches rather than lying flat. Wired ribbon comes in nearly every color and pattern, from classic plaid to sequined finishes, making it easy to match whatever palette the rest of the tree is working with. Secure the ends with small floral picks tucked into the branches so the ribbon stays put.
11. Paper Star Garland
Punch out a batch of stars and this garland comes together in an afternoon. Use a star-shaped hole punch or scissors to cut stars from gold paper, old book pages, or patterned scrapbook paper, then glue or tape each star to a length of string at even spacing. Mixing a couple of paper finishes, like a matte page alongside a shiny gold one, adds a bit of visual interest along the strand. Drape the finished garland loosely around the tree or hang it flat along a mantel instead.
12. Eucalyptus Garland
A little real greenery mixed in makes even a faux tree smell like the holidays. Bundle small sprigs of fresh or preserved eucalyptus together with floral wire, then attach the bundles to a length of twine or directly onto the tree’s branches at intervals. The silvery-green leaves add texture and contrast against a traditional dark green tree, and the scent lasts for days even after the leaves start to dry out. This one works especially well layered underneath a more colorful garland for added depth.
13. Mylar Pom-Pom Garland
For serious sparkle, this one trades yarn for metallic paper. Cut circles of gold or silver Mylar paper and fold them into pom-pom shapes using the same folding method as tissue paper flowers, fanning out the layers once assembled. String the finished pom-poms onto thread or thin ribbon, spacing them evenly along the length. Hung on the tree or draped along a mantel, the metallic shine catches the light in a way that fabric or paper alternatives simply can’t match.
14. Five-Minute Ornament Garland
This is the garland for anyone completely out of time before guests arrive. Grab a package of small ball ornaments and a length of sturdy twine, then thread the ornaments on one at a time by looping the twine through each hanging hook. Space them evenly or bunch a few together for visual variety, tying off both ends once you’ve reached your desired length. It genuinely takes only a few minutes from start to finish, and the finished garland can be reused as tree decor for years.
15. Gumdrop Candy Garland
Leftover gumdrops from gingerbread house building get a second purpose here. Thread a large needle with strong thread or thin string, then carefully push it through each gumdrop, alternating colors as you go for a cheerful, candy-shop look. Keep the finished garland away from direct heat sources so the candy doesn’t get sticky or melt. It’s a fun, edible option for a tree in a playroom or kitchen, though it’s best swapped for a non-edible version if pets or very young kids are around.
Final Thoughts
Whichever style you land on, the best garland is the one that actually gets made and hung, not the one sitting half-finished on Pinterest. Start with whatever’s easiest for your schedule this year — a five-minute ornament strand is just as valid as an evening spent stringing cranberries by hand. Mix two or three of these together if one on its own feels too plain, since layering is really where a lot of the magic happens. However your tree ends up looking, take a minute to actually sit and look at it once the lights go on. That’s the whole point of making something yourself instead of buying it off a shelf. Wishing you a season full of good light and a tree you’re proud of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much garland do you need for a Christmas tree?
A good rule of thumb is about one and a half times the height of the tree for each wrap, so a 7-foot tree typically needs 15 to 20 feet of garland for full coverage.
Q: Can you make DIY Christmas tree garland out of paper?
Yes — paper fans, stars, and chains are some of the easiest garlands to make, and they cost very little since most use materials like cardstock or scrapbook paper you may already own.
Q: How do you keep homemade garland from looking messy on the tree?
Drape it loosely in soft waves rather than pulling it tight, and tuck the ends into the branches at intervals so it stays anchored without looking stiff or perfectly straight.