DIY Garland Ideas for the holidays, or ANY time of year…
Ever notice how expensive garland can be to buy? Me too. That’s why I decided to pull together some gorgeous DIY garland ideas that not only will beautify your home this holiday season (or any other time of year), but they’ll also save you a pretty penny!
I meant to limit this post to Christmas garland ideas, but as I scrolled and searched, there were so many other amazing garland ideas that I decided to lump them all together in one spot!
So you’ll find DIY balloon garlands here that you can use for anything from Christmas to a birthday party, and every holiday and occasion in between here in this post!
There are classic paper chain garlands, DIY pom pom garlands and tassel garlands, felt ball garlands, garlands made of greenery and other natural elements like pine cones.
There are even a couple garlands made from things I’m guessing you’d never, ever thought of when the word “garland” comes to mind.
So pick one…or a few to make and enjoy over the holidays and beyond!
1. DIY Balloon Garland | Cake & Confetti
This tutorial will teach you how to make a simple DIY balloon garland. Change the colors to suit the holiday or special occasion! No matter what, the result is pretty spectacular.
2. DIY Scarf Garland | Heathered Nest
If you’re looking for a Christmas garland idea that’s a little outside the lines, try this one on for size. Christmas tree garland made from winter scarves! It’s sure to fit because scarves are “one size fits all,” after all 😉.
3. DIY Pom Pom and Tassel Garland | Sweet Red Poppy
Rainbow colors make any day better, I think.
In this tutorial at Sweet Red Poppy, Kimberly will show you how to create a DIY pom pom garland, or a DIY tassel garland that you can customize for any color(s). She makes her pom poms with a pom pom maker tool, which I love as well. Take a look at her awesome tutorial.
If you still have pom pom making questions, we got you covered here. Tassel issues? Here’s a tutorial for tassel making, too.
4. DIY Pine Trimming & Jute Garland | Heathered Nest
My daughter grabbed her little safety scissors one day, and walked behind our house one day in her cute little rain boots.
She came back with a handful of fresh pine sprigs and sat quietly on the floor tying together this gorgeous seasonal garland. Only took her minutes, and now it’s an annual event.
5. Felt Christmas Tree Garland | At Charlotte’s House
Everything Charlotte does is colorful. And that’s one of my favorite things about her and her projects.
This adorable DIY Christmas garland is right in line with her typical use of color. And what could be better in a house with 5 kiddos than some colorful Christmas tree felt holiday garland?
6. Necktie DIY Christmas Garland Idea | Heathered Nest
So I told you scarves could be used as garland. So how about neckties? Yep! We’ve done that, too.
Weird? Maybe! Colorful? Yep. Original? Definitely. They can be bought in bulk for a pretty good price.
Check out this unique tree garland idea, raid your hubby’s tie rack, and give this idea a try 😉🎄.
7. Finger Knit DIY Holiday Garland | Lovely Indeed
Isn’t this pretty garland AMAZING? I love how this finger knit Christmas garland turned out. Chelsea shows you the technique if you have wanted to learn how to finger knit.
I’m all thumbs, so I’ve never been able to get the hang of it. But definitely don’t let my shortcomings in the knitting department dissuade you! If anyone can teach you how to do it, it’s definitely Chelsea!
8. DIY Giant Pinecone DIY Garland | Lovely Indeed
Here’s one more amazing DIY garland idea from Chelsea at Lovely Indeed.
Can you believe how HUGE these pinecones are ?! Amazing! So was her use of eye hook screws in the pinecones to help string the garland. Check out the tutorial for all the details!
9. Colorful Paint Swatch Chain DIY Garland | Pretty Life Girls
I love paint swatch crafts (have you seen my tabletop Christmas tree idea?), so this fun garland from Pretty Life Girls immediately caught my eye.
A super fun (and colorful) twist on a traditional paper chain garland.
10. DIY Black Tree DIY Garland And Stamped Wrapping Paper | Hello Glow
Hello Glow brilliantly shows uses a sewing machine to make this DIY Christmas garland project go super quickly!
I don’t think I would have ever thought to try that! Brilliant move. Check out the how-to over at Hello Glow!
11. Felt Chain DIY Christmas Garland | My So Called Crafty Life
Ashlee created this awesome (and way more durable) riff on the age old paper chain garland craft idea.
She’ll show you how to make your own at My So Called Crafty Life.
12. DIY Snow Cone DIY Garland | The Crafted Sparrow
Aside from making me hungry, I love everything about this DIY garland from The Crafted Sparrow. Isn’t it the sweetest (pun intended) 🍬🍭❄️?
13. DIY Wood Bead Garland | Making Home Pretty
If you love the boho look, this wood bead garland craft will be right up your alley! Michelle shows you how to create your own and tie the fun little tassel ends as well.
14. Upcycled Cardboard Gingerbread House DIY Christmas Garland | Pillar Box Blue
Pillar Box Blue is a genius when it comes to upcycling projects, and this cardboard gingerbread house DIY Christmas garland is great evidence to prove that point.
15. Winter Fruit And Greenery DIY Garland | Camille Styles
I can smell how lovely this garland must be just from reading the tutorial at Camille Styles.
This is one of the most sophisticated, gorgeous DIY holiday garlands I’ve seen.
16. Party Napkin DIY Garland | Jacks & Kate
This is one brilliant (and affordable) garland idea! It was made for an adorable kiddo b-day bash, but change the type of napkin/color of napkin(s) and it could be perfect for any holiday or gathering.
17. Mini Pom Pom DIY Garland | Erin Spain
You HAVE to see how Erin makes these little pom-poms for this garland! Hint: It reminds me of how I look when I’m taking down a big bowl of spaghetti.
18. DIY Balloon Garland | The Party Darling
Because DIY balloon garlands are so popular these days, I wanted to include two different tutorials to give you a couple awesome ideas on the best ways to make these fun garlands for yourself!
Great instructions here from The Party Darling…
19. Crochet Bow & Pom Pom DIY Garland | Flamingo Toes
Confession: I have NO idea how to crochet. But if I did, this is such a sweet project that I would probably give it a go! Isn’t it great?
20. Fabric Floral DIY Garland | Making Joy and Pretty Things
Sarah will show you how to make one of these feminine, frilly, fun floral garlands for your very own!
Baby nursery idea? Wedding shower decor? Birthday party? Use it for all of the above and more!
21. Glitter Pinecone DIY Garland | Town and Country Living
Pinecone garlands are such a great seasonal accent. I happen to love this one from Jennifer and Town and Country Living because of the simple touches she used with the snow (which I thought was glitter…it’s NOT.
Never would have thought to use what she did!) and the ribbon she chose is perfect!
22. Giant Pom-pom DIY Garland | A Beautiful Mess
I have a serious thing for pom poms. And this great puffy, snowball-like garland idea makes me ready for a ride in a one-horse open sleigh.
23. Book Page Paper Chain DIY Garland | Ella Claire Inspired
Kristen created a paper chain garland using old book pages. She’ll show you the details, plus you’ll get to see more pictures of it displayed in her gorgeous home.
24. Chalkboard Wood Slice DIY Garland | The Kim Six Fix
Wood slice crafts are great because they are easy to do, and the natural element they bring into a space really makes it come alive.
Kim used chalkboard paint on this garland, wisely, so she can customize it for any season. Smart. And cute to boot.
25. Felt Ball and/or Pom Pom Garland | Decor Hint
Decor Hint demonstrates garland making using both felted balls as well as pom poms in this great how-to post.
26. How to Make 3D Snowflakes | At Home in Love
I’m no origami expert, but athomeinlove.com spells out exactly how to make these gorgeous paper snowflakes and string them into a beautiful garland.
27. Mini Christmas Stocking DIY Garland | Polka Dot Chair
These are itsy-bitsy stockings strung together to make a colorful garland. HANDMADE stockings. The perfect size for a gift card. Could it be any cuter?!
28. Pinecone And Cranberry DIY Garland | Clean and Scentsible
I had no idea that bleaching pinecones was a thing. Or even that it was possible. But it is! And this beautiful, blanched pinecone garland is the product!
29. Drinking Straw DIY Garland | At Charlotte’s House
Yes. Charlotte made garland from drinking straws. Who would have thunk it? Talk about frugal and unique and adorable! Love it!
30. Simple Washi Tape Christmas Trees DIY Garland | Mum in the Mad House
SO. FLIPPING. FUN! I gotta get on this Washi tape bandwagon. And this Christmas tree garland from Jen has taken me over the edge.
31. Bow DIY Garland | The Crafted Life
This one definitely falls into the simple category…my FAVORITE kind of craft. And you could do this in ANY color combo you’d like! Great, easy idea!
32. DIY Polymer Clay Gumball Garland | Delighted Momma
Lindsay from Delighted Momma tried this project first by making felt balls…her description of that process is hilarious. And I’ll just say, she ended up choosing this polymer clay route instead.
This is another medium I’ve never worked with, but I love the result, don’t you?!
33. DIY Gold Star Garland | On A Sweet Sugar Rush (now defunct)
Made with a cookie cutter and Xacto blade. So smart…and sparkly!
34. Easy Feather Garland | Heathered Nest
This is one of our projects from the Heathered Nest…appropriate, since it’s easy. OH, and the feathers, too. You know, feathers…nest. Anyways, here it is in all it’s simplistic glory 😉
35. Vintage Bulb DIY Christmas Garland | Heathered Nest
Do you have any of those old-style Christmas bulbs around?
You remember the ones that you used to turn on, and they’d immediately give you a 3rd degree burn?
Well, if you do, I’ve got a BETTER use for you. Don’t burn yourself with them, use them to create a holiday garland this year…
36. Easiest “Flocked” Christmas Tree | Heathered Nest
At first glance, this may not look like a garland project, but it is! And know what else it is?
The EASIEST and best way to “flock” a tree…no messy sprays required! Check out the post for all the DIY details!
I sure hope you got some great garland inspiration here today! Go grab your twine and tassels, felt and feather boas, pom poms and pinecones and get crafting! There are mantels to be decorated, friends!
Oh, and if you’re on the hunt for more thrifty, crafty fun over the holidays and throughout the whole year, be sure to check these gems out, too!
Pin this post for later! And if you make one, leave a comment (or better yet, a photo) on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try this project, too!
Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! Sign up now and get a FREE copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!” Click here to enter your email or on the image below. Your copy will be sent right away!
Thank you for featuring my pine cone garland! What a nice surprise. I love the gingerbread house garland – might have to make that one this year. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks for including my pine cone garland in such a great roundup of garlands! And do try the pom poms. I made a pom pom garland not so long ago. It was easy to do!