This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Details.
A garland is the most flexible Christmas decoration there is. It goes around a door, along a shelf, over a window or down a staircase, and it makes a plain line look finished.
For a small home it is also one of the cheapest ways to get a big effect, because a few feet of greenery lights up a whole wall. Here are eleven ideas, with lengths and ways to hang them.
Measure before you buy
- Door frame: measure the top and both sides. A standard door needs about 16 to 18 feet to go all the way around.
- Mantel or shelf: the length of the shelf plus 12 inches for the drape at each end.
- Window: the top edge plus a little extra, usually 6 to 9 feet.
- Staircase: about 1.5 times the length of the rail, so the garland swags a little.
- Tip: buy one more length than you think, since two garlands joined at the ends look better than one stretched thin.
01A garland around the front door
A full garland around the door frame is the classic way to say Christmas from the street. Fix it with removable clips along the edge, not nails.
02A garland over the interior doorway
Hung across the top of an inside doorway, a garland makes a small arch and divides a living room from a hallway without a wall.
03A mantel or shelf garland
On a mantel, a shelf or the top of a bookcase, let the garland drape over the edge and add a few candles or lights. See our Christmas mantel and stocking ideas for more.
04A garland over a window
A garland above a window frames the glass and brings the light inside. In a small room it also lifts the eye and makes the ceiling feel higher. For more window ideas, see our Christmas window decorations.
05A garland on a staircase or rail
A staircase is the best place for a long garland. Tie it to each baluster with a ribbon or a zip tie and let it swag between the posts.
06A garland on a bed headboard
Hung behind a bed, a lit garland works as a soft lamp and a headboard in one. Use clips and a timer, and keep the lights cool to the touch.
07A garland on a balcony railing
A garland on a balcony rail is visible from the street and from the room. Choose an outdoor-rated one and tie it every foot, since wind will move it.
08A paper or felt garland
Paper stars, felt balls and pom-pom strings cost little and weigh nothing. They suit a child's room, a kitchen or a rental.
09A popcorn, cranberry or wood bead garland
A strand of wood beads, or real popcorn and cranberries, gives a natural look and fits a Scandinavian or farmhouse room.
10A garland on a dining table
A low garland down the center of a table is a runner and a centerpiece in one. Keep it below eye level so guests can talk. See also our Christmas table decor ideas.
11A garland on the tree
Beaded or ribbon garlands on a tree work like a frame for the other ornaments. Start at the top and wind down, with a loose swag.
How to hang a garland without nails
- Adhesive hooks and clips: best for doorframes and walls; check the weight on the pack.
- Zip ties and ribbon: best for stair rails and balcony railings.
- Painter's tape and putty: for light paper and felt garlands.
- Tension rod: a rod in a doorway or window holds a heavy garland with no marks.
Make it look full
An artificial garland looks thin straight out of the box. Spread the branches by hand, turn some tips up and some down, and add picks, berries, ribbon or lights at even spaces. Two garlands twisted together look much fuller than one.
Before you pay
- Choose a lit garland only if you have a way to plug it in or use batteries.
- Check whether the garland is indoor or outdoor rated.
- Make sure the length covers the space; join two if you need more.
- For more inspiration, see our small apartment Christmas decorating ideas and our Christmas string lights ideas.
