How to Make Natural and Easy Holiday Greenery Garland

Imagine your house as the holiday season approaches; the Christmas tree in the corner making the whole room glow, stockings hanging from the fireplace mantel, and the various Christmas decor you have curated throughout the years. One item your gorgeous spread may be missing is fresh greenery lining your beautiful table, or a beautiful garland hanging on your front porch. Fresh Christmas garland is the perfect way to add that natural holiday charm to your house, yet to many of us it seems like an unattainable task. However, I am here to change your mind. 

At the bakery we host a variety of classes.  In doing so we have met so many talented women sharing their passions with our customers.  Most recently we had a lovely flower farmer come teach us the art of greenery garland making.  With a mix of different types of greenery like boxwoods, pines and juniper we embarked on a sappy adventure (tip: you might want to wear gloves for this!).  The concept of greenery garland is one that at first seems daunting, but once you’re given the right instructions, it’s simple. I took pictures throughout the class so that you can follow along with us!

Ingredients

24-gauge floral wire

The best kind to get is the paddle wire because it makes the wire easier to wrap around and control.

1/4 in rope/twine

Think about where you are planning to display this garland and decide on the desired length of your garland from there.  Is it going to be table garland for your dining room table? Hanging on your stairway banister? Arched above your front door or window?  On top of your mantle?  Measure and cut your rope accordingly.  Cut a little longer than you think you’re going to need–you can always cut off the excess when you’re done.

Greenery of your choice

Fresh greens, faux greenery, Pine trimmings, silver dollar eucalyptus, juniper, box wood, etc..

Fun toppings!

The sprinkles of any good garland, unless you do not like sprinkles. In which case choose a different metaphor… You can definitely go to your local grocery store and craft store and find fun little items to add to your garland. I have included some of my favorites below!

• Dried orange slices: You can dry your own oranges at home in a dehydrator or in your oven. Or you can also purchase them. I found these ones and have seen them used for crafting!
• Pine cones: I like the size of this set. They also have hooks on the ends that can make it even easier to attach to your garland with the wire.
• Red Berries: The best way to add other flowers or greenery is when the have a long enough stem to make it easy to just stick into your garland or to hook to it with wire. Here is a great option.
• Ornaments (for Christmas): I was able to get mini ornaments that were so sweet from my local grocery store. Here is another great option that comes in several different color options.
• Fairy lights: These delicate lights are so simple to wrap around your garland and give it that extra pizazz. Here is one that is plenty long for any size garland, and is battery powered. Battery powered it crucial because rarely are you placing your garland right by an outlet.
• Christmas lights

How to make Greenery Garland

cut and Organize your greenery

First step is to pick your greenery and prepare it. In our class we had a variety of greenery for our students to choose from.  We recommended they choose at least three different greens but were free to use as many as they liked. If you are limited in the amount of variety you have a simple garland is beautiful too. For each variety of greenery, you will want to cut out at least ten 12-inch-long sections.

What seemed to be a good idea for our class was cutting and prepping all of your greenery before you start putting anything together.  It also helps to organize each 12-inch section by variety of greenery.  All your pines in one pile, all the boxwood in another. 

Make a Bouquet

It is this concept that really made garland click for me.  The basic idea of this method for garland is that you create several bouquets of greenery and lay them next to one another to create your garland form.  

Start by creating your first bouquet of greenery.

Attach your bouquet to your rope

Place your bouquet of greenery next to your rope (your garland base) and grasp them both in your hand.  With your wire, tightly wrap around the greenery and the rope 3 times.  Then set the whole thing down on a flat surface while you make your second bundle.  Do not cut the wire. 

Layer your bouquets

We will be working our way down the rope until we have created an entire garland.  The base of your next bouquet should be 3-4 inches down from your previous bouquet.  They should overlap similar to roofing on a house. You will repeat this until you are almost to the end of your garland.  This pattern will change for your last bouquet of greens.

end of the garland

To properly end your garland, you will simply reverse the way your bouquet is facing for the last section. This will create a nice clean end to your garland.

Add the toppings

Everything is more fun with toppings! For our class we had dried oranges, pinecones, winter berries, little ornaments and cinnamon sticks. If your garland is for a wedding, you could tuck flowers in the garland to match your color scheme. The options are endless.

How to make Greenery Garland

This project was simple and a joy to make. Let me know if you have any questions and let us know if you make some for your own home during the holidays or for a special event.

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