Garland can be beautifully decorated. You need to make sure the garland is thick enough. Some garland is cheap looking. If you happen to have this thin looking garland there is hope. Take three lengths of this garland and loosely braid the garland like you would a little girls hair. Now fluff out the little branches or “arms” by lifting the little “arms” out. This will increase the size and appearance of the garland. If you have an electric plug available in the location you are planning to attach the garland you can add electric Christmas lights. Use one hundred lights per each nine feet of garland. Wrap the lights around and around the garland.

You can use ornaments to decorate the garland. When you decorate the garland make sure the ornaments are secured at the top holder of the bulb or ornament. Pull the holder out (if possible) of the ornament. It looks like a tiny “crown”. Carefully hot glue the crown back into the opening of the ornament. This will help keep the ornament more secure. You can now take a floral wire and insert it into the little loop and around the garland to keep it secure.

If you are planning to attach the garland to the staircase you must measure the railing first. Add about 12 to 15 inches extra per swag or droop. To know how many swags you would like to have on your staircase first attach string or yarn. Take tape and attach the string to the railing. Make sure the swoops are the same distance apart as much as possible. Measure the string to know how much garland you will need. Now attach the garland. It is best to attach the garland to the staircase with long ties or fishing line. You can use extended twisty ties or electrical ties. After the decorated garland is attached to the railing try to hide the twist tie, etc. by covering it up with extra thin garland pieces cut to fit around the rail. It is best if the garland is swagging on the outside of the railing. The garland will be more visible for people to see and it is safer.

Decorating your fireplace mantel can be beautiful too. Usually you will need one or two 9 ft. garlands. Typically a mantel has two or three swags. If you choose not to use a nail to hang the garland into place you can use a brick or a heavy weight. Cover the small brick with green fabric or wallpaper. Wrap an extended twisty tie or garbage bag tie around the garland where you want it to swoop in the center. It is important to attach the tie together to create a loop before you wrap it around the brick. Place the small brick toward the back of the fireplace mantel to try to hide it. If the brick is visible place a bow or something else in front of it by attaching the bow or ornament to the garland in front of the brick.

Garland can add so much beauty to a room and is a wonderful way to continue on with your Christmas tree theme décor.