How to Make a Thanksgiving Garland

7 of 7 in Series:
The Essentials of Decorating for Thanksgiving Dinner

Making a Thanksgiving garland is an inexpensive and fun craft. To create gorgeous garlands for Thanksgiving, you just string together autumn-themed flowers and ornaments. Drape your garland on banisters, around chandeliers, on mantels, or on ceilings. You can also try finding other interesting places, such as windows or mirrors, to drape a swag or two of garland.

To make your own Thanksgiving garland, you need:

• Any materials you want to make into a garland, such as

  
  

  Autumn leaves, flowers, herbs, seed heads, or berries (fresh or faux)

  
  

  Popcorn, small fruits, or vegetables (fresh or faux)

  
  

  Paper shapes or ornaments

  
  

  Beads

  
  



• Tools

  
  

  Florist paddle wire, thread, and/or monofilament (or fishing line)

  
  

  Floral tape

  
  

  Scissors

  
  

  Small nail or thumbtack

  
  

To make your garland:

1. Punch holes in the materials you’re going to use for the garland with a nail or thumbtack.

   
   

   Punch the holes at the top of the items for layered garland, or punch holes at the opposite ends of the items to string them end to end.

   
   

   For items that are soft (such as popcorn) or items that already have holes in them (such as macaroni and beads), no hole punching is necessary. To thread hard objects, such as seashells or nuts, use a power drill with a small bit to drill holes for threading.

   
   



2. String your items together.

   
   

   If you want to string your items together end to end, thread a needle with monofilament or thread and then string the items, weaving in and out of the punched holes.

   
   

   For beads, popcorn, berries, or any items that you don’t want to string end to end, simply string the items together and knot the ends close to last item. Cut the thread or monofilament approximately 12 inches from the tied knot.

   
   

   To make garland out of evergreen, herbs, or flowers, first make small groupings of flowers and wrap paddle wire tightly around the individual groupings. Next, string the groupings together by staggering them, wrapping them with wire as you go. Finish by wrapping the last stems with wire and then taping them together with floral tape.

   
   

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