8 how to guides for DIY Christmas garlands

I love all things Christmas and my main focus is to try and keep it natural, using natural materials like wood (loads of wood) metal, glass, foraging for some of nature’s goodies. This year, I have been looking for how to guides on creating real garlands so thought I would share what I have found.

1. DIY real garland (with oasis)

This is the third Christmas that I have created my own garland. I can remember not knowing where to start and have used a few different types of oasis but I think this is the best option for the look I wanted to achieve. I usually use off cuts of our tree and I love that it matches the tree. Have a look at this blog post on how to create a real DIY garland to find out how I did it.

2. Dried orange garland

This is a really nice one that is super easy and fun. Check out the blog post by The Ginger Home with a how to guide on how to create a dried orange garland.

3. Real garland with eucalyptus

Wow wow wow, I LOVE this display! When I see photos like this, I regret putting our TV above the fireplace! I can only imagine how good it smells too with the additional eucalyptus too. Have a look at Melanie Lissack Interiors to follow her guidance on how to make something similar.

4. Pinecone garland

Check out the blog post on Ballard designs to find out how to make this type of garland. You can use bought pinecones but why not go on a foraging trip? Go to the local woods to find your pinecones and then follow the tutorial.

5. Wood bead garland

This one looks quite easy to make and again can be paired with the orange garland or the pinecone one. I think this could also replace tinsel on a tree to give it a bit extra but still keeping it natural. Have a look at the tutorial over at The Ginger Home to find out how to create this garland. Read till the end as she has a useful tip on how to thread the beads easily.

6. Felt ball garland

I really like this one! Another quick and easy one which could also double up as tinsel, a felt ball garland. Head over to Felt ball rug for a really easy tutorial and how to video (I love a how to video).

7. Real garland made from garden goodies (using floral wire)

This is something that I really want to try but I’m a bit nervous to do! A real garland made without oasis. This garland looks great on the fireplace or draped on a staircase. It is made using all mother nature goodies, some string and floral wire. Head over to Tkkido to get a really nice step by step guide on how to create this garland. I am definitely going to brave this type of garland one day.

8. Christmas light garland

This one looks like a fun one to make and will add some colour to any Christmas. Have a look on Lisa’s blog over at Stubbornly craft for a really simple step by step guide.

Hope these have been helpful :). My next project is to attempt a garland using floral wire and garden goodies.

How to make a real DIY Christmas garland

There is something about having a Christmas garland that you have made. I love it when people compliment something and you get to say ‘thanks, I made it’. I have been making my own Christmas garland for 2 years now and have always wanted to blog about it. So here it is.

We have always had a real tree so for us, it didn’t feel right to have a faux garland. I bought one the first year we lived here but it just didn’t look right. Our tree sits next to the fireplace so next to a real tree and it didn’t work. This garland is 100% real foliage and ours usually lasts for the whole of December

What you need:

• Oasis – measure the length of your fireplace to determine how many oasis blocks you will need. Our fireplace is 5ft and I use this oasis that is 48 x 9 x 5 cm and I have two. I recommend you buy an oasis with a good tray to allow you to water your oasis but not damage your fireplace. This year I have also added an overhang on one side. For the overhang I used this type of oasis.

• Secateurs – essential for any floral project.

• Foraging goodies – Head out to the woods and see what you can find. Pinecones, acorns, interestingly shaped branches, holly, ivy literally anything you like the look of.

• Christmas tree branches – We cut the lower branches off of tree usually so use this as the base of our garland.

• Dried extras – I’m talking dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, dried limes. You can usually pick up a bag of these dried items in supermarkets or online over Christmas or make your own.

• Floral wire – to attach your dried extras.

• Stick on hooks - to secure the cylinder oasis. You could use command strips but I just used normal stick on hooks and stuck them to some slate mats that I have (image below).

• Something to protect your mantlepiece - I use narrow slate placemats.

Method:

Step 1 – Soak your oasis

Remove the oasis from the tray and soak the oasis in the bath for about 30 minutes before creating the garland.

Step 2 – Prep your mantle and foliage

Add your oasis trays to the mantle. If you are using the cylinder oasis which doesn't come in trays you will need to put something on the mantle to protect it. We have narrow slate placemats that work perfectly and I use stick on hooks to secure the oasis. This is my first time using this so hoping it will hold.

Split up all your foliage and extras and organise them in to categories. I like to make sure I have an even number of everything because I think symmetry is really nice in a garland but that’s just a personal preference. If you are using dried extras like oranges, pinecones etc attach them to some floral wire. This will make it easier to stick them in to the oasis.

Step 3 – Start at the back

I like to start on the corners and add tall sticks. If you don’t have anything behind your garland start adding your tall sticks across the entire back of the oasis block. Or if you have something behind (a TV or mirror) just frame the item so your garland doesn’t block it. Below is about how many pines I remove from the Christmas tree branches before I add it to the oasis.

Step 4 – Move to the front

Add some shorter sticks to the bottom of the oasis pointing downwards so it hides the oasis and tray.

Important – if you are anything like me, at this point you will probably think ‘what am I doing this looks awful’ but don’t worry, have a cup of tea and a biscuit and I promise it will start to take shape soon. Here's me doing exactly that!

Step 5 – Fill in the gaps

You will probably now have gaps in the middle of the oasis. Add some smaller greenery to the middle of the oasis and also some of your dried extras – oranges, limes, pinecones etc. Keep taking a step back to check how it is all looking. Remember if you don’t think something looks right, just take it out and move it.

Step 6 - Light it up

I think fairy lights make a garland. It's so cosy, especially with the fire on.

Maintenance tips

Your garland should last for the entire festive period. But this will only be the case if you maintain your garland. I highly recommend getting a spray bottle as this will make watering much easier. I probably water mine every 2-3 days just with the spray bottle. If you notice that any greenery is dying, jut replace with fresh foliage.

And there you have it, your very own real garland. I won't lie to you and tell you it won't be stressful because at times it will be but hang on in there, have a cup of tea and all will be OK.

10 Christmas wrapping ideas using brown paper

I have been using brown paper to wrap presents for years. But this year I’ve decided to level up.

Here are my top 10 favourite Christmas wrapping ideas with brown paper.

1. Forage accessories with white tags

Get out in the garden or down the woods with your secateurs and grab some nature goodies. I’m talking twigs, branches, holly, pinecones whatever you fancy. Add these goodies underneath some string for a real natural look.

2. Dried oranges

I love a dried orange at Christmas, it always adds a bit of colour. I have dried oranges every year for the last 3 years now and have almost mastered it but I find passing on what I do might work for everyone as every oven is different.

I start with the heat at 90 degrees and just keep checking them every hour. I highly recommend giving it a go if you have a day at home planned as it is a fun activity to do. Maybe you can wrap your presents while you wait for the orange to dry.

Top tip – before you put the oranges in the oven pat them down with kitchen roll to remove some of the orange juice.

3. DIY Calligraphy paper

I have done this one in the past for birthdays but never for Christmas as it is a bit of a commitment. But this year I am going to use it on just a few gifts. You can even personalise and add their name if you have time. Finish off with some string and a white label and you are good to go. I just use your average sharpie.

4. Cinnamon sticks and star anise

If you want your Christmas tree to smell delicious, add some star anise and cinnamon sticks to your wrapping.

5. Reuse old Christmas cards for labels

My Mum taught me this one years ago and I think it is a lovely one. She uses fancy zig zag scissors, but I just use a normal scissors. All you need to do is cut around the image, grab a hole punch and there you have a lovely label that can be used for the following year. Now you just need to remember where you stored the ones you made last year!

6. DIY bow

Who says you actually have to use string or ribbon to decorate your gifts. I love these hand drawn bows over at Cakies.

7. Newspaper

Ok, so not brown paper, but a great way to add a bit of character under your tree. Better still, if you have any old newspapers from years ago, reuse them. Just make sure you read the paper article before you use it!!

8. DIY Stamps

This stamping over on Handmade Charlotte looks like a lot of fun if you can commit the time to rolling. Might be a fun one to do with the kids (said by someone who doesn’t have kids so has no idea how much mess this type of activity would make).

9. Grab a paint brush

Not sure I can commit to this level of wrapping paper art but love these designs on Almost makes perfect. Could be used all year round not just for Christmas too.

10. Add a pom pom

When I saw this one, I thought it would be a bit too complicated, but do you know what, after watching the video it doesn’t actually look too difficult! I’ve had a go myself and they are so easy to do. The great thing about them is they don’t need to be too perfect. Click here to watch the video over at Kelseybang. Below is my attempt in my colour scheme.

Hope you found this useful :). What's your favourite one? I think mine might just be the pom pom!

Kath