Homemade Holiday Garland Ideas

Rustic wood background featuring candy canes strung up on twine and below them a neat pile of evergreen branches and holly

Decorating always puts us in the holiday spirit, and adding a festive flair with something homemade makes the season feel even more personal.

Candy Cane Garland

This Candy Cane Garland is a fun, easy and fairly mess-free craft, so all ages can participate. Just make sure to have a few extra candy canes on hand to tide over any sweet-toothed helpers!

Tip: Customize your garland to complement your existing holiday décor by coordinating the twine or ribbon colors.

Things You'll Need:

  • Twine or ribbon, your choice of color
  • Candy canes (at least 12)
  • Thumbtacks or temporary hooks (optional)

Directions:

  1. Measure the length of twine or ribbon you’ll need to fit the area where you want to hang your garland, then add a couple extra feet of length (for knotting and draping). Cut.
  2. Cut another strand of the same length.
  3. Holding the two strands together, start about a foot in and carefully wrap the twine or ribbon around the curve of your first candy cane; tie an overhand knot underneath the curve.
  4. Tie the remaining candy canes onto your twine in the same fashion, evenly spacing them along the twine. Every few candy canes, leave a space.
  5. Once you’ve knotted your desired length, hang your garland from those extra spaces in the twine by securing it with thumbtacks or temporary hooks. If hanging from a railing or curtain rod, just wrap the twine around, allowing the garland to sag a little, so the candy canes drape smoothly.

Tip: For a candy-free variation, string store-bought paper snowflakes or ornaments along a thick red or silver ribbon.

Glittered Snowflake Garland

The kids can contribute by cutting out paper snowflakes. After the glue has dried, each of them can sign the snowflakes they cut out, so they can remember who made which in future years.

(PS, it’s totally OK to use store-bought paper snowflakes, if you want.)

Tip: Customize your garland to complement your existing holiday décor by coordinating the glitter and ribbon colors.

Things You'll Need:

  • Bottle of washable school glue, or a glue stick
  • Pre-made paper snowflake cutouts (either store-bought or homemade)
  • Gold, silver and white glitter
  • Hole punch
  • Short lengths of thin (3/8” works well) gold, silver or white ribbon
  • Long length of thick (1” or 2”) ribbon (measure intended display space to determine base length; allow extra 1-2’ length for draping)
  • Tacks or hooks (to hang garland from)

Directions:

  1. Brush glue onto paper snowflakes and coat with gold, silver and white glitter. Allow to dry, then shake off excess glitter. Shake glitter off over a paper plate or pie tin to make cleanup easier.
  2. Punch a hole at the base of each snowflake and string it with a short length of thin ribbon.
  3. Tie each snowflake to the long, thick strand of ribbon, spacing them evenly.
  4. Drape your snowflake garland across the mantle (if you use your fireplace, make sure it doesn’t hang too close to open flame), up a stairwell, or above your holiday buffet.