Your Garland Doesn't Have To Be Boring: Here's 12 Unique Ways To Style It This Christmas

Garland is a beautiful piece to hang up around your home at any time, but especially around the winter holidays. Historically, these decorations are associated with celebration and joy, perfect for the season of coziness and family. However, while they are nice to have around, knowing how to decorate them and where they can go in your home so they aren't boring isn't always easy. If you want your garland to stand out and make a statement, you may need to do something a little different than the normal evergreen strands. 

There are so many ways to create and hang a garland that it can be overwhelming. For example, knowing how to layer it correctly can help you decorate your home with garland for a Magnolia-inspired look. You can also go beyond faux evergreen and choose more creative materials to make your garland stand out. Or, since layering is so important, you can intertwine some of the ideas below, like sewn shapes and seashells, to add a bit of depth to your standard garland. You may be surprised how a few tips and tricks can lead to completely different and exciting holiday decor without going crazy buying new items.

Sometimes, you can do something simple to make your old garland feel brand new, and it won't cost you much. For example, adding decorative elements around it when it's hanging on the fireplace can make a world of difference. If you usually use lights and small golden decor, add a few candles (electric for safety), bows, and large, round ornaments, and see what a difference it makes. You can also play around with location, color patterns, types of string lights, and textures. 

Garlands can be made from almost anything. As long as it creates a chain of some sort or looks connected, you've got a garland. Once you know this, it's easy to see how creative you can get with it. For example, a variety of photos hanging from the same string can be the perfect garland if you're looking for a holiday season full of memories and laughter. Add in some lights to help catch the eye, and you've got a perfect decoration to take you down memory lane this season.

If you're looking for a way to hang your garland that doesn't involve screwing items into the wall or big and bulky command strips, another fun way to do it is using a shower curtain rod. While these are generally pretty large and not particularly attractive, you can make them a part of the decor by wrapping something around them, even if it's just a bright red ribbon. It's easy to hang your shower rod garland from anywhere it will fit, including in doorways, hallways, or window wells. 

If you're tired of the snow, you can change up your garland to reflect the weather you'd rather be experiencing. For example, are you dreaming of beaches instead of snow this winter? Create a seashell garland like the one above. If you've got the tools and patience, you can use natural shells and drill holes in them to run string through, but you can also buy colorful plastic ones. Add a few other items, such as small pieces of driftwood and dried starfish, to switch up the size and texture. 

Another option to add a bit of unique whimsy to your home is to hang your garland in unusual places. For example, if you have upper kitchen cabinets that don't go all the way to the ceiling. You can place your garland at the top to bring a festive feeling into your kitchen — same with bathroom cabinets or on top of wardrobes. Medicine cabinets, bookcases, and open shelves are also places where garland can be placed.

Instead of going smaller and more subtle, create an eye-catching garland with large baubles and some faux plants. It can be reminiscent of a balloon arch, but made to fit your other decorations and the general holiday theme. You can DIY a stunning Christmas garland on a budget with a festive pool noodle hack and get similar results to the photo. Just attach all of the items to the foam with glue or zip ties. 

If you're looking for a garland that is beautiful and detailed, but not overwhelming, paper shapes are worth considering. You can make these as large and as fancy as you want. You're limited only by your skills and your paper size. The fun thing about these is that you can make elegant, sophisticated ones, or you can work alongside your friends and family to create fun, memorable ones. Stick with a classic white, or use construction paper or coloring materials to add a bit of flair. 

If you want a pop of color to greet you this Christmas, using old ribbons and rags to make a garland is another amazing idea. You may want to stick to thinner items like scarves, shawls, and handkerchiefs, as they will allow you to pack more fabric onto your garland. This can be another great way to repurpose old cloth napkins instead of tossing them out. If you want something fun with more texture, you can also buy an assortment of cloth items, such as tulle and flannel.

With just a little bit of work, you can turn book pages into a garland. It's a holiday-themed version of the DIY garland that adds beauty to any book lover's home. Depending on how good you are at cutting shapes, you can make all sorts of designs, including stars, hexagons, and snowflakes. This is a great option for those looking to create a more neutral-colored Christmas, as it only has blacks and off-whites. However, you could also go with dyed pages or picture books if you want a little bit of a funky flair. 

A simple but interesting twist on a traditional holiday garland is to use branches without leaves. It's a relatively minimal design that still catches the attention and fits nicely alongside other decorations. It works best if you have a plant with somewhat bendy and spaced-out branches. You can leave it as is or add a few lights, but since there are no leaves or needles to hide it, keep in mind the wires will be much more visible, as will whatever you use to mount it. 

Another unique garland option is to sew your own shapes. You can use any kind of fabric and shape, meaning you can make one that works year-round, or several for each season and holiday. You can go with snowflakes, candy canes, baubles, Christmas trees, or stockings, for example. They are easy enough to make, especially because the large, beginner stitches create a charming addition to your cloth garland trinkets. You can hang these on their own, or intertwine them with an evergreen garland.

When you think of garlands, you may imagine them mostly hanging around doors, along the stairs, and in front of the fireplace. However, you can also take advantage of other areas in your home, including the center of your table. Using your garland this way lets you create a stunning centerpiece. The picture above shows a fun spring garland, but it works just as well for Christmas. These even work on circular tables, as you can make a wreath shape in the middle.