Festive Garlands for Every Room
Few things transform a space for Christmas quite like a beautiful garland. Whether it's draped across your mantel, woven through your staircase, or adding festive charm to an unexpected corner, garlands bring that cozy holiday feeling wherever they go.
I've gathered 15 of my favorite Christmas garland DIYs that are surprisingly easy to make – most are beginner-friendly and can be completed in an afternoon. From natural dried orange garlands to nostalgic paper chains and romantic velvet bows, there's something here for every style. The best part? Many of these cost under $20 and use materials you might already have at home.
Ready to string up some holiday magic? Let's dive in!
What I love about this:
"This tutorial is beautifully simple – just a few materials and you've got a statement piece that completely transforms your space! I also love how customizable it is: change the felt colors, switch up the shapes - endless possibilities. It's the kind of project where you can really make it your own."Supplies you'll need
- Fell sheets (various colors)
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks
- Transparent ties (for bow version)
- Scissors
- Yarn (for heart version)
- Ruler or template (for consistent shapes)
Estimated Cost: $2-12
What I love about this:
"This velvet bow garland creates such a big visual impact with minimal effort! The soft, luxurious texture of velvet ribbon gives it that romantic vintage feel – perfect draped across a mantel, along a staircase, or woven through your tree. Choose classic deep reds and greens, or go with softer dusty pinks and creams for a more subtle vintage look."Supplies you'll need
- Velvet Ribbon (1.5-2 inch width)
- Jute twine (for stringing bows)
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks (alternative to tying onto twine)
- Scissors
- Ruler or measuring tape
Estimated Cost: $15-25 (depending on garland length)
What I love about this:
"Sometimes the simplest projects make the biggest impact! Just punch out stars and sew them together with your machine (or glue two stars around twine if you don't sew). So charming draped across a mantel, window, or woven through greenery – the perfect mindless project while watching a cozy movie."_Supplies you'll need
- Cards stock (cream, kraft, or your choice of colors)
- Star punch (2-3 inch size works well)
- Sewing machine (for stitched version)
- Glue stick (for now-sew version)
- Jute twine (if using glue method)
- Scissors
- Thread (for stitched version)
- Scrap paper or card stock
Estimated Cost: $8-15
What I love about this:
"Dried apple garlands feel so nostalgic and traditional – they bring that cozy, old-fashioned Christmas warmth to any space. What I love is the natural texture and subtle color they add, making them perfect for layering with other garlands or using on their own for a simple, organic look."Supplies you'll need
- Apples (larger ones work best)
- Jute twine
- Large needle (for stringing apples)
- Citrus juice (to prevent browning)
- Salt (helps with drying)
- Sharp knife (for slicing)
- Oven, Baking trays & Parchment paper
Estimated Cost: $5-8
What I love about this:
"This garland is so beautifully simple yet makes such an impact! The star anise adds a gorgeous natural shimmer when paired with twinkling lights, and the best part? Your entire house will smell like Christmas – that warm, spicy scent is absolutely magical."Supplies you'll need
- Star anise (whole stars)
- Battery-operated string lights (with wire work best)
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks (to secure anise if no wire)
Estimated Cost: $10-15
Little Twig Garland
By: Me - Sunday SofaWhat I love about this:
"This garland brings the beauty of nature right into your home – it's cute, pretty, and wonderfully affordable! What makes it extra special is that it's perfect for making with kids: take a walk in the woods together, forage for interesting twigs and leaves, then come home and create something beautiful."Supplies you'll need
- Twigs (foraged from nature)
- Jute twine
- Wooden clothespins (mini size works best)
- Dried leaves (for added texture and color)
Estimated Cost: $3-8
What I love about this:
"This clever upcycling project transforms tomato paste tubes (yes, really!) into a stunning vintage gold garland that looks like precious heirloom ornaments. I love that it gives new life to something that would otherwise be trash, and the metallic gold finish has such an authentic vintage vibe. You can cut any shapes you like – stars, hearts, circles, wreaths – and keep adding to your collection year after year."Supplies you'll need
- Tomato paste tubes (Save from cooking!)
- Jute twine (for stringing)
- Metallic wax (if you want extra shine)
- Scissors (sharp, for cutting metal)
- Smooth-edged kitchen utensil (spoon handle works!)
- Pen or pencil (for tracing shapes)
- Needle or awl (for poking hanging holes)
Estimated Cost: $0-5 (essentially free!)
What I love about this:
"These finger-knitted bows are absolutely adorable and create such a pretty, textured garland! You can use up yarn scraps to make a charming patchwork-style garland in whatever colors you want. Once you get the hang of the finger knitting technique, you can settle in with a Christmas movie and produce loads of bows in one cozy evening."Supplies you'll need
- Chunky yarn (colors of your choice)
- Yarn scraps (to use up)
- Scissors
- Your fingers (no needles needed!)
Estimated Cost: $8-15 (or free if you use scraps)
What I love about this:
"This garland gives you that charming popcorn look without actual popcorn – which means it lasts forever and won't attract any curious pets or pests! The chunky texture adds such cozy warmth whether you're wrapping it around your tree or weaving it through a greenery garland."Supplies you'll need
- Super bulky yarn (cream or white for popcorn look, 2 skeins for 7ft tree)
- Crochet hook K (size K / 6.5mm)
- Scissors
Estimated Cost: $10-20
What I love about this:
"This loopy garland has such a whimsical, dimensional quality – all those soft loops create amazing texture and movement! What makes it extra versatile is that it works beautifully beyond just Christmas: keep it up through fall and winter for cozy, year-round warmth."Supplies you'll need
- Chunky yarn (color of your choice)
- Knitting needles (large size for chunky yarn)
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)
Estimated Cost: $10-20
What I love about this:
"This ribbon garland is wonderfully individual and customizable! Mix patterns, textures, and colors to make it uniquely yours, whether you want classic Christmas plaids or soft vintage florals. It's such an easy, quick project that creates a big visual impact."Supplies you'll need
- Ribbon Set (variety of patterns)
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks
- Scissors
Estimated Cost: $15-25
What I love about this:
"This fabric chain has such a beautiful vintage, nostalgic vibe – it feels like something you'd find carefully stored in your grandmother's Christmas box! It's completely reusable year after year, and you can switch up the order of the chains or add new ones to keep it fresh - pure sustainable holiday decorating."Supplies you'll need
- (Christmas) Fabric
- Velcro strips
- Sewing machine
- Fusible interfacing (for stability)
- Thread
- Sewing snaps (instead of velcro)
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Iron (for interfacing)
- Pins
Estimated Cost: $15-25
What I love about this:
"This is the perfect solution if you love the idea of fabric chains but don't sew! It's a wonderful way to make the nostalgic paper chain concept sustainable and reusable year after year."Supplies you'll need
- (Christmas) Fabric
- Fabric glue (strong, washable formula)
- Fusible interfacing (for extra stability)
- Fusible tape (alternative to glue)
- Scissors
- Pins (to hold while drying)
- Iron (if using fusible products)
Estimated Cost: $12-20
What I love about this:
"Beads in all colors and sizes mean you can make this garland completely your own! It's so cute hung in a child's bedroom or draped over a doorway, and the simple stringing technique means even kids can help make their own garland. Pure whimsical fun!"Supplies you'll need
- Beads (glass beads in various colors)
- Craft wire
- Pearls (for a more vintage, traditional look)
- Scissors
Estimated Cost: $10-18
Where to Hang Garlands (Beyond the Mantel!)
Classic spots: Mantels, staircases, doorways, and windows are festive favorites for a reason.
Unexpected places: Hang garlands above your bed for cozy bedroom vibes, high along kids' room walls (out of reach but still festive!), woven through open kitchen shelving, or even above your bathroom mirror for holiday cheer in every room.
Layering tip: Mix textures and lengths for more impact – try a greenery base with a ribbon garland and dried oranges draped over top, more layers give more dimension to your decor.
Hanging Without Damage
No nails, no problem! Use Command Hooks for walls and above beds, or Adhesive Garland Clips for mantels and shelves. Both remove cleanly when the season ends. You can also anchor garland ends with heavy books on mantels, wrap around staircase balusters with ribbon, or use tension rods in doorways for lightweight garlands.
- Command hooks
- Garland clips
Garlands bring instant festive magic to any space – and when they're handmade, they feel even more special. The best part? You can customize them to your exact style, make them any length, and many will last for years.
Which garland will you make first? Save this collection to Pinterest and tag me if you create any of these – I'd love to see them in your home!
All Creators Featured
- bonesandbuilds - Felt Shape Garland
- bymichellelei - Velvet Bows Garland
- woodlark - Paper Star Garland
- The Merrythought - Dried Apple Garland
- tylynnm_ - Twinkling Star Anise Garland
- kyliesversion1 - Finger Knitting Bow Garland
- deliacreates - Crochet Chunky Popcorn Garland
- MADISON MARIE - Knit Loopy Garland
- stitchberry.crochet - Ribbon Garland
- fromabolivian - Reusable Christmas Fabric Chain
- almostmakesperfect - No-Sew Fabric Chain
- genevavanderzeil - Colorful Bead Garland
- Emily Welch Style - Paper Chain Garland
- The Kwendyhome - Upcycled Gold Garland
Go show them some love!
Shop Most-used Supplies
- Fell sheets
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks
- Jute twine
- Chunky yarn
- Ribbon
- (Christmas) Fabric
- Star anise
- Battery-operated string lights
- Crochet hook K
- Fabric glue
- Velcro strips
- Fusible interfacing
- Command hooks
- Garland clips
- Scissors
- Large needle
Note: Many of these supplies you might already have at home! Check your craft stash before purchasing.
Disclaimers
Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I believe in! Thank you for supporting Sunday Sofa. 💛
Content Credit: Many projects featured in this collection are created by the talented individuals linked above. I do not claim ownership of their work – I'm simply sharing what inspires me! Please visit the original creators for full tutorials and support their amazing content.