Garland does more for a room than almost any other Christmas decoration you can buy. It’s flexible enough to wrap a staircase, drape a mantel, frame a doorway, or line a bathroom mirror, and it looks intentional in every single spot.
Garland christmas decor is also one of the most forgiving categories out there — a little uneven draping still reads as cozy rather than messy, which isn’t true of most holiday decor. Whether you’re working with a length of fresh cedar, a strand of faux pine, or something a little more unexpected like dried citrus or vintage mittens, garland adapts to whatever style your home already has. Here are fifteen ways to use it, from classic mantel styling to a few ideas you probably haven’t tried yet.
1. Mantel Garland with Frosted Greenery
The mantel is where garland does its most classic work. Drape a length of frosted or faux pine garland along the mantel, letting it dip slightly in the center for a soft, natural curve rather than pulling it perfectly straight. Layer in a few stockings, small ornaments, or a strand of warm lights woven through the greenery for extra texture. Choosing a garland style that complements your existing decor, whether frosted white or classic green, keeps the whole display feeling pulled together instead of like an afterthought.
2. Staircase Banister Garland
A staircase practically begs for garland the moment the holidays roll around. Wrap a full-length garland around the banister from top to bottom, securing it every foot or so with floral wire or twist ties so it stays snug against the railing. Tuck in a few pinecones or small ornaments along the way for visual interest, and consider adding a bow at the newel post where the staircase begins. A well-wrapped banister often ends up being the most-photographed spot in the whole house.
3. Garland Wrapped Porch Columns
Don’t stop the garland at the front door — take it around the columns too. Instead of simply swagging garland across a porch railing, wrap it in a spiral all the way up each column for a fuller, more dramatic look from the street. Use outdoor-rated garland if the porch is exposed to weather, and secure it at intervals with garden wire so wind doesn’t loosen the wrap over time. This one takes a bit more garland than a simple drape, but the payoff is worth it for anyone who loves curb appeal.
4. Doorway Garland with Lights
A garland draped over a doorway is one of the simplest ways to welcome guests. Hang a length of garland along the top of an interior or exterior doorway using a garland hanger or adhesive hooks, then weave a strand of warm white lights through it for extra glow after dark. Let a few sprigs hang down slightly on each side rather than keeping the line perfectly straight across. This works especially well for a foyer, where it’s often the very first thing guests see when they walk in.
5. Dried Citrus Garland
This one smells as good as it looks, and it’s surprisingly simple to make. Slice navel or blood oranges into quarter-inch rounds, bake them low and slow until fully dry, then thread twine through two small holes poked near the top of each slice. Space the slices evenly along the twine and tie off loops at each end for hanging. A six-foot garland typically takes about four oranges, and the color holds beautifully for the whole season once fully dried.
6. Candy Cane Garland
Kids will actually want to help make this one. Tie pairs of candy canes together into small heart or staff shapes using narrow ribbon, then string each pair onto a length of colored yarn or thin rope at even intervals. Hang the finished garland somewhere out of direct sun so the candy doesn’t melt or discolor over the weeks it’s on display. It’s a fun, edible twist on garland that works especially well in a kid’s room or on a mantel low enough for little hands to reach.
7. Cookie Cutter Garland
Your baking drawer has everything this garland needs. Tie short loops of bakers twine through the handle or top opening of several seasonal cookie cutters, then thread each loop onto a single long ribbon at even spacing. Hang the finished strand across a mantel, a kitchen shelf, or even a headboard for a whimsical, kitchen-inspired take on garland. Mixing metal finishes among the cutters, like copper and tin, adds a bit of visual variety along the length.
8. DIY Apple Garland
Real fruit makes for an unexpectedly beautiful garland base. Use a skewer to puncture a hole near the center of each apple, then thread floral wire through the hole and secure the wire to a length of fresh fir or pine garland at intervals. The apples add a pop of color and a slightly rustic, orchard-inspired feel that pairs especially well with farmhouse-style decor. Since the fruit is fresh, plan to swap it out or compost it after a week or two rather than leaving it up all season.
9. Garland with Stockings Attached
No fireplace doesn’t mean no stockings. Hang a length of garland along a stairway, shelf, or wall where a mantel would normally sit, then clip a stocking directly onto the greenery for each family member using small ornament hooks or clothespins. This works especially well in a home without a traditional fireplace, giving stockings a festive spot to hang without needing to build a whole mantel display. Space the stockings evenly along the garland so the arrangement looks balanced from either direction.
10. Bathroom Mirror Garland
Every room deserves a little Christmas, even the one people spend the least time thinking about. Drape a simple string of greenery along the top edge of a long bathroom mirror, letting it follow the natural curve or shape of the frame. Keep the garland here fairly plain and unfussy, since a heavily decorated version can look cluttered in a smaller space. A single strand of warm lights woven through adds a nice glow for anyone getting ready in the evening during the darker winter months.
11. Felt Leaf Garland for Kids’ Rooms
Soft materials make this version safe for a bunk bed or a nursery shelf. Cut simple leaf or holly shapes from a few different shades of felt, then thread them onto a length of ribbon or twine, spacing them evenly and knotting on either side to hold their place. Wrap the finished garland around a bunk bed frame, a headboard, or a playroom shelf for a soft, kid-friendly festive touch. Felt holds up well to little hands pulling at it, which makes it a more practical choice than anything glass or breakable.
12. Vintage Mitten Garland
Old mittens that no longer fit anyone get a second life here. Gather a collection of mismatched vintage or well-worn mittens, then use a large needle to pull yarn through the top of each one, securing with a knot if the yarn slips loose. Space the mittens evenly along the strand and hang it somewhere with a cozy, collected feel, like a mudroom or a reading nook. Sourcing mittens from flea markets or family hand-me-downs over the years makes the garland feel more like a keepsake than a store-bought decoration.
13. Advent Calendar Garland
This version of garland actually counts down the days for you. Attach a row of tiny galvanized buckets or small paper bags to a length of greenery, numbering each one from one through twenty-four, and tuck a small treat or note inside each. Hang the finished garland above a stove, a doorway, or a mantel where it can be checked daily throughout December. It doubles as both a decoration and a genuinely useful countdown, which makes it worth the slightly longer setup time.
14. Glitter Paper Chain Garland
This one brings back the simplest kind of holiday craft. Assemble a slot-together or glued paper chain using jewel-toned strips of cardstock, adding a light dusting or pre-applied shimmer of glitter for extra sparkle under holiday lights. Drape the finished chain across a mantel, a tree, or a doorway for a colorful, low-cost alternative to greenery-based garland. It’s an easy project for kids to help assemble, and the finished result packs away flat for storage each year.
15. Tissue Paper Christmas Tree Garland
This is a fun departure from the usual greenery-and-lights combination. String together a series of small tissue paper Christmas tree shapes along a length of ribbon or twine, mixing a few different colors for a playful, non-traditional look. Hang the finished garland across a window, a playroom wall, or a party table for a lighter, more whimsical alternative to a formal evergreen display. Since tissue paper is delicate, keep this one away from high-traffic areas where it could get bumped or torn.
Final Thoughts
Pick one spot in your home that’s never had garland before — a bathroom mirror, a bookshelf, the back of a chair — and try one of these ideas there this week. You don’t need to redo every mantel and doorway at once to get the effect; a single well-placed strand of garland can change how a whole room feels. If you’re working with fresh greenery, cut it a little closer to when you plan to hang it so it holds up through the season. And if faux is more your speed, a good quality garland will come back out every year without losing its shape. Either way, garland earns its reputation as the easiest way to make a house feel like the holidays arrived.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should you use real or artificial garland for Christmas decor?
Artificial garland lasts for years and requires far less upkeep, while real greenery offers a natural scent but typically needs replacing partway through the season.
Q: How long should garland be for a mantel or staircase?
A mantel usually needs about one and a half times its length in garland to create a soft drape, while staircases typically require enough to wrap the full banister length plus a little extra for fullness.
Q: How do you keep garland from looking too sparse?
Layer in pinecones, ornaments, ribbon, or small lights between sections of greenery, since these extra touches fill gaps and add texture without needing more garland itself.