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Transform Your Garland: Easy Tips for a Festive Christmas Upgrade

Oct 15th 2024

mantel garland with pinecones and silver and pink ornaments

As you start thinking about how to decorate for Christmas this year, you might long for the lush and lustrous garland you see on your social feeds. Beautifully decorated garlands framing doorways, trimming fences, accenting fireplace mantels or draped from banisters lend elegance and polish to your Christmas decorations.


Given all the amazing ways you can decorate with it, garland continues to be a classic Christmas decoration. Unfortunately, some of the most lavish Christmas garlands with the biggest “wow factor” also can have an equally astonishing price tag.


But decorating with garland doesn’t have to be out of reach. There are easy ways to turn a basic garland into something dramatic.

green pine garland with seedheads and stars

What Style Garland Should You Use?

Before you begin decorating, decide on the kind of garland you will use. Christmas garland comes in many styles, from festive tinsel garland to lifelike berry garland. Another option is beaded garland in a metallic or wood finish is another option. You might also prefer non-traditional garlands, such as ornament garlands or novelty designs.


Pine garland is the type most often selected for a do-it-yourself Christmas makeover. Variations of this style include traditional green, frosted or colorful garlands. Most have bendable wire centers so they can be shaped to suit your needs. Plus, their branches are full and flexible enough to support a variety of decorations.


A good “fluff” will help your garland look its best, whether you plan to decorate it or leave it plain.

green tree and garland with gold ornaments and bead garland

How to Decorate Garland

Once you’ve chosen your garland, decide on the materials you will use to decorate it. Ornaments, ribbons, floral picks, pinecones and botanicals are among the options.


Would you like a garland with more fullness and texture? Combine multiple garlands! Alternatively, create interest by twining a different variety of garland, like a berry garland or beaded garland, around your pine garland.


Many possibilities exist for designing a decorative garland. That can be a daunting idea for hesitant do-it-yourselfers! Luckily, our designers at Christmas Central have offered a few Christmas garland ideas for you to explore.


For our garland profiles, we’ve added decorative elements to four different types of undecorated garland. The choices of ribbons, ornaments and other embellishments demonstrate how combining decorations can give your garland a distinct style.


Take a closer look and see how a few artful additions can help you create the luxury garland of your Christmas dreams. Shop the look below each example to view products that are identical or similar to the ones we’ve used.

Classic Country

This garland design brings a touch of country to a classic red and green color scheme. The garland is an unlit 9-foot Yorkville Pine with small pinecones. To achieve the look, weave in a combination of black and red plaid ribbon and bright red wired ribbon with a modern white pine tree pattern. Add more Christmas color with red ornaments in shiny and matte finishes, along with frosted pinecone sprays. Introduce berry sprays, pine tree and reindeer tabletop decor, and a whimsical gnome or two.

Shop the Look:

Yorkville Pine, Twig & Pinecone garland
cherry red 2-finish 2.5-inch glass ball ornaments
matte finish ornaments with white swirls and snowflake designs
20-inch frosted red berry artificial Christmas branch spray
2.5-inch wide black and red check wired craft Christmas ribbon
2.5-inch wide red and white Christmas tree wired Christmas craft ribbon
set of 6 pinecone and bell Christmas artificial spray
20-inch plush 'Hands in Pockets' boy gnome Christmas figure

Dramatic Black

If you’re ready for something dramatically different for your holiday decor, our iced black garland might be just the thing. The stunning 6-foot garland features battery-operated warm white LED lights and a scattering of shimmery silver-tipped bristles. Enhancements include star-studded sheer wired black ribbon, shiny silver ball ornaments, silver sequinned ornaments and mirror ball ornaments. Bring extra height and drama to your display with tabletop decorations. We used several marbled cone trees, a silver glittered reindeer and artificial silver glittered twigs. Add crystal sprays for even more glamor!

Shop the Look:

prelit 6-foot LED battery-operated black iced Christmas garland
6-count silver disco mirror ball 3.25-inch ornaments
6-count 3.25-inch silver shiny and matte Christmas ball ornaments
black and silver sheer glitter star wired craft ribbon
10.75-inch standing glitter reindeer Christmas decoration
24-inch marbled glitter cone white and gray Christmas tree
30-inch glittered silver artificial Christmas twig spray
4-inch glittered cosmoid silver glass Christmas ball ornament

Vintage Flair

Here’s a classic Christmas mantel garland design with vintage farmhouse flair. We began with our 9-foot Oak Creek Pine Christmas garland with multicolor lights, tucking in bows of black and red plaid and a vintage-style printed ribbon. Several types of jingle bells enhance the Christmas feel. To add some height to the arrangement, we included two different styles of potted tabletop trees, plus a rustic deer decoration. A Christmas sign and vintage truck tabletop decoration extend the old-time farm theme.

Shop the Look:

Prelit Oak Creek Pine Garland, 9-foot with multicolor lights
12-inch glittered holly with berries Christmas pick spray
jingle bells with plaid bow Christmas decoration
5-inch antique white and jute jingle bell with holly berry ornament
2.5-inch black and red check wired craft Christmas ribbon
2.5-inch green and red vintage Christmas truck wired craft ribbon
red snowflakes and stars Christmas jingle bells ornaments
16-inch red vintage truck with Christmas tree 'Home for Christmas' metal sign

Simple Cypress

A realistic-looking artificial cypress garland with white berries anchors a simple and modern design that would appeal to those who love the clean look of neutral or natural decor. A minimum of embellishments includes clear and white iridescent ball ornaments. We added height with lanterns in black and natural finishes and a silver tabletop tree. Sprinkle in additional art and decorative elements to taste.

Shop the Look:

Real Touch Cypress and White Grape Berry 6-foot garland
32-count iridescent shatterproof shiny Christmas ball ornaments
32-count white iridescent shatterproof shiny Christmas ball ornaments
4.25-inch glittered white marbled Christmas ball oranment
20-inch black lantern with three flamless LED candles
19.25-inch large wood and black candle lantern
3 silver Christmas tree tabletop decorations
Real Touch soft cedar artificial Christmas garland

Follow Our Example

After studying a few garland transformations, we know you’ll appreciate that there is a garland for every style and ways to decorate a garland to satisfy every taste.


Of course, if do-it-yourself garland design isn’t for you, you can always purchase an elegant pre-decorated garland.


But if you’re eager to make the effort, adding the trimmings of your choice can perk up a tired older garland, or turn a reasonably priced garland into a luxury Christmas decoration that is uniquely your style.


Browse our garland selection, ornaments, ribbons and decor to find everything you need to create your own decorative garland.
Transform Your Garland: Easy Tips for a Festive Christmas Upgrade

Need help with decorating tips? Choosing the right tree?

Christmas Central Resources