logo

Save up to 30% + Free Shipping Fall SaleShop Sale

Back to Inspiration Home

How To Decorate Christmas Garlands and Wreaths

Christmas garlands and wreaths are versatile pieces of décor you can use throughout your home. They instantly add warmth and cheer to any space, such as doors, mantels, and staircases.

In this video, designer Jennifer Lutz demonstrates how easy it is to decorate Christmas garlands and wreaths. Watch how she transforms our BH Fraser Fir® Garland and Wreath into three different looks and read on for our step-by-step instructions.

Before Getting Started: Fluff Your Artificial Christmas Wreaths and Garlands

A woman fluffing a Christmas garland

Before styling, take time to fluff artificial greenery to get the volume and fullness you want. Make them look their best with these quick tips:

  1. Place your wreath or garland on a flat surface. When fluffing a garland, make sure to straighten out its spine.
  2. Hold the foliage in place using one hand. With your other hand, individually spread branch tips up and out away from the frame. Begin from the bottom tips and work your way up.
  3. Temporarily hang each item on a vertical surface within easy reach, such as a banister. This makes it easier to spot any gaps and adjust tips until you get the shape you want. When you’re done fluffing, your greenery is ready for display.

Insider’s Tip

Once your wreaths and garlands are shaped for the first use, it will be easier to achieve the same full look in future years.
Learn More on How to Fluff Your Greenery

First Christmas Decorating Theme Idea: Cozy Cabin Christmas Wreath and Garland

A fireplace mantel decorated with a wreath and garland in a cozy cabin Christmas decorating theme
Set the scene for a warm and cozy holiday retreat with this decorating theme. Get this look with layers of textured ribbon and natural elements like antlers and pinecones.
Christmas wreath and garland decorated with jute ribbon, buffalo check ribbon, gold ball ornaments, pinecones, and antlers

Garland and Wreath Decorations That You’ll Need:

Flatlay of wreath decorating supplies such as jute ribbon, buffalo check ribbon, pinecones, antlers, gold ball ornaments

Steps To Decorating a Cozy Cabin Christmas Garland:

Hands layering two ribbons on a Christmas garland
1. Layer two sizes of ribbon with complementary colors. For this look, Jennifer paired a Striped Burlap Ribbon with Buffalo Check Ribbon for texture.

A woman decorating a Christmas garland with antler picks
2. Tuck the ribbons into the garland every 8 to 12 inches.

Hands decorating a Christmas garland with pinecones and gold Christmas ornaments
3. Add your garland décor. Start with the antler picks, followed by the mercury glass bulbs and pinecones.

Steps To Decorating a Cozy Cabin Christmas Wreath:

A woman layering two kinds of Christmas tree ribbons
1. Use the same ribbons to create a bow for the wreath.

Hands looping two layers of Christmas tree ribbons
2. Make one loop and twist the ribbon so the top layer faces outward.

Hands forming two layers of Christmas tree ribbons into a bow
3. Wrap the ribbon around your thumb from front to back and create a hole to bring another loop through.

Hands pulling the sides of a looped Christmas tree ribbon
4. After creating the loops, pull out the sides and adjust for a full, balanced look.

Hands decorating a Christmas wreath with two layers of Christmas tree ribbons
5. Tuck the tails of the ribbons in and out along the entire wreath. Secure the bow using floral wire or use the wreath’s wired branches.

Hands decorating a Christmas wreath with antler picks and pinecones
6. Add antler picks and pinecones to match the garland.

Insider’s Tip

The wired branches of your greenery are great for holding your ribbons and ornaments in place.
Shop Christmas Cabin-Inspired Ornaments and Accessories

Second Christmas Decorating Theme Idea: Southern Christmas Wreath and Garland

A fireplace mantel decorated with a wreath and garland in a Southern Christmas decorating theme
Create a charming look with oversized florals, sparkling picks, and plush velvets and plaids. This magnolia wreath and garland combination accented with rich colors, bold textures, and a bit of shimmer makes a luxurious backdrop for your holiday festivities.
A Christmas wreath and garland decorated with magnolia leaves, beaded picks, and red velvet ribbon

Garland and Wreath Decorations That You’ll Need:

Flatlay of wreath decorations such as magnolia branch picks, red velvet ribbon, and metallic plume branch picks

Steps To Decorating a Southern Christmas Garland:

Hands decorating a Christmas garland with red velvet ribbon
1. Layer and tuck your ribbon along the branches of your lighted garland.

A woman decorating a Christmas garland with white magnolia branch picks
2. Place the larger picks first. For this look, start with the magnolia branch picks.

A woman decorating a Christmas garland with metallic plume beaded branch picks
3. Next, add the metallic plume branch picks.

A woman decorating a garland with white magnolia branch picks, metallic beaded branch picks, and red velvet ribbon
4. Stand back and check if the décor looks balanced and evenly spaced.

Insider’s Tip

Wired ribbons work best when decorating wreaths and garlands because they tuck well and retain their shape.

Steps To Decorating a Southern Christmas Wreath:

A woman tucking red velvet ribbon into a Christmas wreath

1. Tuck the ribbon clockwise along your lighted wreath. Use the branches to keep the ribbon in place.

A woman creating a rosette bow to decorate a Christmas wreath
2. Create a rosette bow using the same ribbon. Make five large loops and arrange them to look like a flower.

Hands tying a pipe cleaner to secure the rosette bow
3. Secure the base of the bow with a green pipe cleaner or floral wire. Pull ribbon apart and fluff for a fuller look.

Hands attaching the red velvet rosette bow to a Christmas wreath
4. Fix the bow onto the wreath using floral wire or the wired foliage.

Hands decorating a Christmas wreath with oversized white magnolia picks
5. Now that you have your ribbon wreath, place the oversized magnolia pick near the bow.

Hands decorating a Christmas wreath with metallic plume beaded branch picks
6. Lastly, add metallic plume picks throughout the wreath.

Third Christmas Decorating Theme Idea: Classic Christmas Wreath and Garland

A fireplace mantel decorated with a wreath and garland in a classic Christmas decorating theme
Nothing says Christmas quite like traditional greens, snow-covered berries and pinecones, and festive glitter ribbon. Pulled together, they create a timeless display for many celebrations to come.
A Christmas wreath and garland decorated with classic wreath decorating supplies like red berries, pinecones, and champagne ribbon

Garland and Wreath Decorations That You’ll Need:

Flatlay of classic wreath decorations like champagne glittered Christmas tree ribbon, pinecones, frosted red berry picks, and frosted eucalyptus leaves

Steps To Creating Scalloped Ribbons:

Hands forming scalloped Christmas tree ribbons
1. Using two feet of ribbon, work from the center and make three scallops or fans.

Hands securing a scalloped tree ribbon with a stapler
2. Staple the fan at the bottom to create a looped bow.

Hands cutting the ends of a scalloped Christmas tree ribbon with scissors
3. Make tails with the ribbon and trim the edges into a V shape. Before adding the ribbon to your greenery, pull apart each scallop to fluff the bow.

Steps To Decorating a Classic Christmas Garland:

Hands placing branches of eucalyptus leaves into a Christmas garland
1. Insert the snowy eucalyptus picks into the tips of your garland.

Hands decorating a Christmas garland with frosted red berry picks and pinecones
2. Next, add the berry picks and pinecones.

Hands attaching a champagne scalloped tree ribbon to a Christmas garland
3. Add the scalloped bows. Fluff the loops of the bows to create a full shape. Tuck the rest of the ribbon in and out of the greenery.

Hands fixing red berry decorations on a Christmas garland
4. Adjust decorations to make sure that everything is well-fluffed and balanced.

Insider’s Tip

Spend a few moments arranging the eucalyptus and berry picks so that their branches fall naturally.

Steps To Decorating a Classic Christmas Wreath:

A Christmas wreath decorated with frosted red berry picks, frosted eucalyptus leaves, pinecones, and champagne glittered Christmas tree ribbon
Coordinate your wreath with the garland. Layer the snowy eucalyptus, berries, pinecones, and scalloped ribbon to one side of the wreath.

What Can You Use To Decorate a Christmas Wreath and Garland?

Wired ribbons and decorative picks are best to use as garland and wreath decorations. They can be easily shaped and maneuvered through greenery. You can also decorate with things that you have at home such as Christmas tree ornaments, flower stems, leaves, and branches. Other essential garland and wreath decorating supplies include green pipe cleaners, stapler, floral wire, and floral tape. 这些将有助于确保你的装饰品.

Undecorated wreaths and garlands are beautiful on their own and look even more gorgeous when styled. If you want flexibility with your décor, these are the perfect canvases for any decorating theme.

We hope these DIY garland and wreath decorating ideas inspire you to express your creativity with your holiday greenery. Explore more Christmas decorating themes and ideas in the links below:

Shop All Christmas Wreaths & Garlands

Learn More

For more information on decorating with Christmas garlands and wreaths, visit the links below:

Back to Inspiration Home

Customer Support

Resources & Ideas

Company Information

Stay Connected

instagram
Facebook
twitter
youtube
pininterest

For Expert Advice

Call 1.888.55.BALSAM or Contact Us

Shop With Confidence

Trusted SiteBBBForbes Seal PayPal
* Shipping outside the contiguous US will incur additional shipping fees.
COPYRIGHT © 2023 BALSAM HILL ® ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.