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The holiday season is the perfect time to fill your home with festive decorations, and Christmas garland is a timeless staple for creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re draping it over a mantle, wrapping it around a staircase, or hanging it outside, garland adds texture, color, and holiday charm. In this blog post, I’ll share tips, techniques, and creative ideas for hanging Christmas garland.

The techniques in this post will work on any kind of garland: evergreen garland, beaded garland, floral garland, themed garland (like snowflakes or ornaments). Just choose the type of garland that you love and fits your decor style.
Hanging Garland on Mantels
These are my favorite techniques for hanging garland on mantels.
Command Cord Bundlers
Command Cord Bundlers, originally designed for organizing cords and cables, are also a game-changer for holiday decorating. Here’s why they’re perfect for hanging garland:
- Damage-Free Installation: No nails, screws, or sticky residues. Perfect for renters or anyone who wants to protect their surfaces.
- Strong and Secure: These bundlers can hold up to 2 pounds each, making them ideal for lightweight or medium-weight garlands.
- Reusable: With replacement adhesive strips, you can reuse the bundlers season after season.
- Versatile: They work on a variety of surfaces, including painted walls, wood, tile, and metal.
Fireplace Stocking and Garland Hanger
This Fireplace Stocking and Garland Hanger is a durable, dual-purpose mantel holder designed to hold both stockings and garland securely. Here’s what sets it apart:
- Two Hooks for Dual Purpose: Each hanger has two hooks, allowing you to hang stockings on one hook and garland on the other.
- Durable Wrought Iron Construction: Made from strong wrought iron, these hangers can support heavy garlands and filled stockings without bending or slipping.
- Padded Contact Points: The padded surface prevents scratches or damage to your mantel while keeping the hangers securely in place.
- Versatile Design: They come in different finishes, making it easy to find a color that blends seamlessly with your holiday decor style.
- Easy Installation: No nails, screws, or adhesives required—simply place the hanger on your mantel.
Hanging Garland on Staircases
A beautifully decorated staircase can be the highlight of your holiday decorations, adding festive charm and warmth to your home. Whether you prefer a simple look or an elaborate display, these techniques will work for you.
Garland Twist Ties
Garland twist ties are a versatile option for hanging garland on the staircase. Here’s why they’re a great choice:
- Damage-Free: Garland twist ties won’t leave marks on your banister or railing.
- Secure Hold: They keep garland firmly in place, even on curved or uneven surfaces.
- Invisible Look: They come in different colors to easily blend into the greenery or match the railing color.
- Reusable: Use them year after year for hassle-free decorating.
- Con: If your galand is very heavy, these may not be a good option.
Zip Ties
Zip ties are an excellent choice for hanging Christmas garland due to their many benefits:
- Strong and Secure: Zip ties keep garland firmly in place, even when heavy ornaments or lights are added.
- Damage-Free: They won’t leave marks or scratches on your staircase or banister.
- Easy to Use: Simply loop the zip tie around the garland and railing for a hassle-free installation.
- Customizable: Zip ties easily attach together to accommodate larger banisters or railings.
- Inexpensive: Zip ties are affordable and readily available.
- Con: Zip ties would have to be cut off, so they can only be used once.
Velcro Garland Ties
Velcro garland ties are a popular option for holiday decorating because of their many advantages:
- Damage-Free: Velcro ties are gentle on your staircase and can be easily removed without leaving marks.
- Reusable: Unlike traditional fasteners, Velcro ties can be used year after year.
- Secure Hold: They offer a strong grip, keeping your garland in place even when adding decorations like lights and ornaments.
- Easy to Adjust: If you need to reposition your garland, simply loosen the Velcro and adjust.
- Con: They may not be as secure and long-lasting
Hanging Garland in Doorways
Decorating your front door with Christmas garland is a festive way to welcome holiday guests and add curb appeal to your home.
Adjustable Door Garland Hanger
This adjustable, heavy-duty cast iron hanger offers several benefits:
- Damage-Free Installation: Protects your door from scratches, holes, or adhesive residue.
- Adjustable Fit: Designed to accommodate different door widths, ensuring a snug and secure fit.
- Durable Construction: Made from cast iron, this hanger can support heavy garlands with ease.
- Decorative Design: They come in different finishes to complements your holiday decor.
Nails and Wire
This method offers a secure hold, especially for heavier or more elaborate garlands. The wire is easy to work with, allowing you to adjust the garland’s positioning as needed for a perfect look. Some benefits to using nails and wire are:
- Secure Hold: Nails provide a reliable anchor for garland, ensuring it stays in place even with added weight from ornaments, ribbons, or lights.
- Long-Lasting Stability: This method is ideal for keeping garland securely in place throughout the holiday season, even in areas with frequent door use or exposure to wind.
- Customizable Placement: With nails and wire, you can precisely position your garland for the perfect look, whether draped, framed, or cascading.
- Supports Heavy Garlands: For thick, ornate, or heavily decorated garlands, nails and wire can handle the extra weight that adhesive hooks or hangers might not support.
- Reusable Setup: Once nails are in place, they can be reused year after year, making setup quicker in future seasons.
Garland Hanging Tips
If you need to combine multiple garlands to create a longer strand, it’s best to do this before hanging them. Lay the garlands on a flat surface, such as the floor or a long table, for easier handling. Slightly overlap the ends of the garlands and secure them together using floral wire. Floral wire allows for flexibility, making it easy to twist and adjust the garland as needed once it’s in place.
Embellishing the Garland
- Lights: Lights bring a magical glow to your garland, fostering a warm and cheerful atmosphere that captures the essence of the holiday season. With a wide variety of battery-operated options available, you can easily add lights to your garland, even in areas without access to an outlet.
- Picks: Picks are the perfect way to elevate your garland, adding volume and filling in any gaps for a fuller, more cohesive look. From delicate florals and lush eucalyptus to sparkling glittery designs, the options are endless, allowing you to customize your garland with a touch of personality and style.
- Ribbon and Bows: Ribbon and bows are a beautiful way to bring color and softness to your garland, elevating its overall design. With endless options available, you can find ribbon in every size, pattern, material, and color imaginable! For a bold, eye-catching effect, opt for large, dramatic bows. Prefer a more subtle touch? Small, delicate bows add an understated elegance that’s equally stunning. Long flowing ribbon adds softness and a beautiful touch to garland. I love to mix different color, sizes and textures of ribbon. Whatever your style, bows are the perfect finishing touch to personalize your garland and make it uniquely your
- Ornaments: Ornaments bring a burst of color and texture to your garland, instantly elevating its visual appeal. Whether you choose classic baubles, flocked ornaments, or whimsical shapes, there’s a wide range of options to suit your unique style. Adding ornaments not only enhances the garland’s beauty but also helps tie together the theme of your holiday decor, ensuring a cohesive and polished look throughout your space. You can add to the visual interest by mixing textures and colors.
- Bells: Adding bells to garland enhances its visual appeal with metallic accents and festive charm while creating a soft, delightful jingle when moved. The bells add a layer of texture and can be customized to match various styles, from rustic to modern. They also bring symbolic meaning, representing joy and celebration, making your decor more meaningful and engaging.
- Themed Decor: Adding themed decor to your garland is a great way to infuse personality and style into your holiday arrangements. Whether you’re going for a winter wonderland, rustic charm, or a traditional festive vibe, themed accents like miniature pinecones, tiny stars, or snowflakes can transform your garland into a statement piece.
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Hanging Christmas garland is a simple yet impactful way to transform your home into a festive wonderland. By choosing the right garland, securing it properly, and adding personal touches, you can create stunning holiday decor that will delight your family and guests. Whether you opt for traditional greenery or something more modern, your garland will be a centerpiece of holiday cheer.
Ready to start decorating? Share your garland creations with me in the comments.
Happy holidays!