Christmas Garland Ideas That'll Make Your Home Feel Magical

The holidays are here, and there's no easier way to transform your space than with Christmas garlands. Whether you're going for elegant and sophisticated or fun and whimsical, the right garland can turn any room into a winter wonderland. At Olive Tree Marketplace, we've curated a stunning collection of garlands that work for every style and budget.

Let's explore how to use Christmas garlands to create that magical holiday feeling in your home.

Why Christmas Garlands Are a Decorating Essential

Garlands are the unsung heroes of holiday decor. They add instant warmth and festivity without overwhelming your space. Unlike traditional decorations that require specific placement, garlands are incredibly versatile. Drape them over mantels, wind them up staircases, frame doorways, or weave them through your existing decor for an instantly elevated look.

The best part? Garlands work with any decorating style. From rustic farmhouse to modern minimalist, there's a garland that fits perfectly into your vision.

Realistic Greenery: The Foundation of Classic Holiday Style

Nothing says Christmas quite like lush evergreen garlands. Our lifelike options give you all the beauty of real greenery without the maintenance, needle drop, or constant watering.

Traditional Pine and Cedar Garlands

Our Real Touch Norfolk Pine Dripping Garland features cascading branches with incredibly realistic texture. The rich green hues and flexible design make it perfect for draping over mantels or winding down stair railings. Because it is faux, you can reuse it year after year without worrying about brown needles or constant cleanup.

For a fuller look, the Natural Touch Norfolk Pine Garland (60 inch) and Natural Touch Norfolk Pine Garland (72 inch) use special technology that mimics the softness of real pine needles. These work beautifully as base garlands that you can customize with ribbon, lights, or ornaments.

If you prefer the elegant look of cedar, our Natural Touch Cedar Dripping Garland and Real Touch Premium Cedar Garland offer sophisticated greenery with cascading designs. The premium cedar garland has a flexible wired backbone, making it easy to shape into arches or swags for doorways and windows.

Mixed Greenery for Added Depth

Want something with more visual interest? Our Natural Touch Mix Evergreen Garland combines different types of faux greenery like spruce, cedar, and pine in one piece. The varied textures and subtle color variations create a more realistic, collected over time look that adds depth to your holiday displays.

Light It Up: Illuminated Garlands That Shine

Why add lights to your garland when you can have them built right in? Our 9 Foot Snake Light Green Cedar Garland comes pre lit with 200 warm white LED lights, an 8 function remote, and a built in timer. The snake like flexibility means you can wind it along banisters, frame doorways, or create dramatic swoops across your mantel while the integrated lights provide a warm glow without the hassle of tangled string lights.

This garland is a game changer for mantels and entryways where you want maximum impact with minimal effort.

Add Sparkle: Bead and Ball Garlands

Colorful Ball Garlands

Our ball garlands come in stunning color combinations:

• Multicolor Ball Garland for playful energy
• Champagne Ball Garland for understated elegance
• Vintage Ornament Ball Garland for a nostalgic look
• Shiny/Matte Ball Garland in Red and Bright Green for bold traditional color

These 4 to 6 foot garlands work beautifully woven through greenery garlands or draped across mantels on their own. They are especially effective when you want to tie your tree ornaments into your mantel or staircase decor.

Jeweled Garlands for Sophisticated Sparkle

If you prefer something more refined, our Clear Jeweled Garland and Jewel Tone Iridescent Ball Garland catch the light beautifully without feeling too busy. The Jewel Chandelier Garland Drop even functions like a mini chandelier when hung vertically, perfect for adding unexpected elegance to a window or doorway.

Rustic Charm: Natural Elements and Vintage Touches

Wood, Bells, and Natural Materials

Our Wood Bead & Metal Bell Garland combines natural wood beads with antique gold finished bells for an earthy, vintage look. Drape it across stockings or weave it through greenery for subtle sound and rustic elegance. The soft jingle adds a sensory element that makes your home feel even more inviting.

We also carry several metal bell garlands, including a metal jingle bell garland on jute cord and a rustic bell and cone garland. These pair beautifully with natural greenery and bring that cozy, collected over time feeling to your space.

Mercury Glass Ornament Garlands

Nothing says vintage Christmas like mercury glass. We have an entire collection of mercury glass ornament garlands in various finishes, including silver, light brown, whitewashed, red, and gold. These 48 inch garlands feature acorn or round ornaments strung on jute twine, perfect for layering with greenery or draping along shorter mantels and shelves.

• Silver Mercury Glass Acorn Ornament and Twine Garland
• Light Brown Mercury Glass Acorn Ornament and Twine Garland
• White Mercury Ornament Garland
• Red Mercury Glass Acorn Ornament and Twine Garland
• Embossed Recycled Mercury Glass Ornament Garland with Gold Cord

Pro tip: Use two or three of these together for a standard length mantel, mixing finishes for added visual interest.

Whimsical and Fun: Garlands for Playful Spaces

Who says holiday decor has to be serious? Our novelty garlands add charm and personality to kids rooms, playrooms, or anywhere you want to embrace the fun side of Christmas.

• Plastic Gumdrop Garland for nostalgic, candy inspired style
• Candy Stripe Link Garland with classic red and white stripes
• Foam Garland with Iridescent Glitter for sparkle and whimsy at an accessible price point

Winter Wonderland: Frosted and Iced Garlands

Create a snowy, wintry look even if you live somewhere warm. Our Iced Draping Cedar Garland and Iced Mini Twig Garland are dusted with faux ice for a frosty appearance that captures the magic of a white Christmas.

These work beautifully in all white or silver themed holiday decor, or mix them with traditional greenery for subtle winter texture.

How to Style Your Garlands Like a Pro

The Classic Mantel

Start with a base of realistic greenery, like our Norfolk Pine or Cedar garlands, draped asymmetrically across your mantel. Add in a Champagne Ball Garland and tuck in some mercury glass ornament strands. Tuck in some battery operated fairy lights if your greenery is not pre lit, and finish with a few statement ornaments or pinecones tucked into the garland at varying depths.

Staircase Statements

Wind garland up your banister, securing it every few feet with floral wire or zip ties hidden on the underside. For staircases, the Snake Light Green Cedar Garland works beautifully because the built in lights eliminate the need for separate strands. Add ribbon bows at intervals for extra flair.

Doorway Drama

Frame your interior or exterior doorways with garland for an instant festive welcome. Use command hooks at the top corners of your door frame, then drape your garland in a swag. The premium cedar garland works particularly well here because its wired backbone holds its shape beautifully.

Table Runners with a Twist

Use garland as a table runner down the center of your dining table or buffet. Shorter garlands work perfectly for this. Try mixing a greenery garland with a bead or bell garland woven through it. Add candlesticks or small votive holders nestled into the greenery for romantic ambiance.

Unexpected Places

• Wrapping garland around large mirrors or picture frames
• Draping it across the top of bookshelves
• Creating a garland curtain in a doorway using multiple strands
• Laying it flat on a console table mixed with candles and other decor
• Hanging it vertically in corners or along walls for dimension

Mixing and Matching: Creating Layered Looks

The real magic happens when you combine different garland styles.

Elegant Layered Mantel: Start with the Natural Touch Mix Evergreen Garland as your base, then weave in a Champagne Ball Garland and tuck in some mercury glass ornament strands. The varied textures create visual interest while staying within a cohesive color palette.

Rustic Farmhouse Staircase: Use the Natural Touch Norfolk Pine Garland as your foundation, add the Wood Bead & Metal Bell Garland for texture and sound, and finish with some ribbon in natural linen or burlap tones.

Modern Minimalist: Sometimes less is more. A single Iced Draping Cedar Garland on a white mantel with simple white candles creates a clean, sophisticated look that feels current and uncluttered.

Colorful and Fun: Mix the Multicolor Ball Garland with the Shiny/Matte Red and Bright Green Ball Garland for a traditional yet playful look. Weave in some mixed pine garland as a base to ground all that color.

Caring for Your Garlands

One of the best things about quality faux garlands is how easy they are to maintain. Here is how to keep them looking great:

• Storage: Store garlands loosely coiled in bins or hanging on hooks. Avoid crushing them under heavy items, since this can flatten the branches or damage delicate elements like glass beads.
• Fluffing: When you take them out each year, gently separate and fluff the branches. For realistic pine and cedar garlands, work your way along the garland, separating individual branch tips to restore fullness.
• Cleaning: A light dusting with a feather duster or gentle vacuuming with a brush attachment keeps garlands fresh. For more thorough cleaning, use a damp cloth on non fabric elements.
• LED Lights: If you have a pre lit garland, store it carefully to avoid damaging the wiring. Test the lights before decorating to catch any issues early.

Create Your Magical Holiday Home

Christmas garlands are some of the most versatile and impactful decorating tools you have. Whether you are drawn to the timeless elegance of our real touch cedar garlands, the convenience of our illuminated options, the rustic charm of wood and bell combinations, or the playful sparkle of colorful ball garlands, there is a style that will make your home feel magical this holiday season.

Visit us at Olive Tree Marketplace in Lake St. Louis to see our full collection of Christmas garlands in person. Our team can help you choose the perfect pieces for your space and style. With options ranging from 8 dollars to 197 dollars, you can create the holiday home of your dreams at any budget.

Ready to transform your home? Stop by today and let us help you make this your most beautiful holiday season yet.