Use Garland Decoration
Garland decoration is a festive tradition that signals the holiday season is coming. While many of us think of garlands in terms of Christmas, they can be used to add a touch of festive cheer to any time of the year. While wreaths are often the go-to decorative accent at this time of year, it’s easy to switch things up with a strand of beautiful garland.
While garlands are commonly made with a variety of materials, it’s best to use natural items for their scent and texture. Greenery, particularly pine, holly and evergreen branches, are an ideal choice. Other popular options include ivy, red roses, frangipani, or even dried and preserved flowers. For a more luxurious feel, try mixing different types of greenery together like pine, cedar, and juniper. A few berries added in for a pop of color can add another layer of interest.
A strand of garland is often paired with lights or twinkly ornaments, making it an elegant focal point for any room. However, it can also be a way to accentuate the natural beauty of a fireplace mantel or staircase railing. If you’re planning on creating a garland with these natural elements, be sure to use wire or string to hold the stems together. Floral wire, a thin, bendable piece of wire available at most craft stores, is a good choice for this purpose. Floral wire is also important for securing any additional items like berries, pinecones, or ribbon bows to the garland.
How to Use Garland Decoration to Add Festive Cheer to Your Home
If you’re looking for a more creative and budget-friendly option, a garland can be crafted from colorful paint chip samples or yarn. The kids can even get involved with this fun DIY from lifestyle blogger Alice and Lois. They can create their own mini trees with stars, polka dots, hearts, stripes or anything else they can imagine.
There are also plenty of DIY projects that offer more traditional garlands. Burlap isn’t something you typically associate with garland decoration, but a long length of the material and some twine can make an attractive and rustic strand to hang above a mantel. Paper leaves and berries, as well as other festive items, can also be strung along the burlap to give it a more classic look.
Outside, garlands can adorn the mailbox or the house’s street address sign. They can even be draped around a backyard playhouse or stable for a much-loved horse.
There isn’t much more symbolic than a garland. Its circular shape represents infinite love, while the holly leaves and berries are a reminder of the blood Jesus Christ spilled for our sins. This meaning is even more meaningful to Christians, who traditionally used holly and ivy garland during Easter as a reminder of the resurrection. Today, most families use artificial garlands for the holidays, but you can still find some natural ones at stores like Hobby Lobby and Michaels. In addition to their longevity and ease of installation, synthetic garlands can be stored easily and reused for years to come.
