Christmas is just around the corner and you know what that means! It’s time to start decorating, and few festive staples make a home feel more festive than a hand-crafted garland!
Christmas garlands make a great statement for any home looking to embrace the seasonal spirit. They add sparkle to unassuming areas, transforming plain staircases and functional mantlepieces become a focal point of the room. Even better, garlands offer an affordable way to turn a home into a winter wonderland.
Customisable and personalised, handmade DIY Christmas garlands are a joy to make and decorate with. In the run up to advent, we’ve collected 12 DIY Christmas garland ideas to get your inspiration going. We’ve included everything from recycled garlands to punch needle kits, so whatever your vibe, you're bound to find a garland that’s perfect for you.
Let the festivities begin!
12 DIY Christmas garland ideas
1. DIY Nativity garland
Sew your own felt Nativity garland with Simply Make’s ready-to-go kit. This sweet kit comes with all the materials you need to stitch the entire nativity cast – even the animals!
It’s a great garland for beginners, as all the pieces are pre-cut for you. It’s also one of the cheapest DIY garland kits we’ve found, making it ideal for a festive crafternoon.
String up your felt creations on the ribbon provided and hang in your home as a reminder of the Christmas story.
- Buy your Nativity garland kit now from Amazon
2. Knit your own holly garland
Knitters: this is the Christmas garland for you! Made up of holly, bells and baubles, this garland is completely customisable, giving you the flexibility to celebrate Christmas your way!
Choose three colours from Wool Couture’s huge range of yarn, then knit the pattern in a palette which suits your festive decor. Once purchased, you’ll be sent your selected yarns, a sewing needle and the pattern in an eco-friendly tote.
All that’s left is to pop on your preferred version of A Christmas Carol and start knitting.
- Pick up your holly garland kit from Wool Couture today
3. Punch needle Christmas garland
Master the art of punch needling with Love Max Design’s kit. This festive little kit comes with all the tools you need (except your punch needle tool, which you can add for an extra cost).
The set makes nine decorations, plus you’ll have full access to a Youtube tutorial and spare fabric to practice your technique.
- Buy your punch needle kit today from Etsy
4. DIY dried orange garland
Christmas is all about traditions, so you should check out Urban Bloom on Etsy if you’re looking for a more vintage look.
Urban Bloom sells a range of classic garland sets including a dried orange kit which caught our eye. It’s one of the easiest garlands to assemble, but also has a range of decor applications.
Wrap around your tree, hang along the stairs, frame your doorways… the possibilities are endless!
- Get your orange garland kit from Etsy
5. Poinsettia garland
When it comes to winter flowers, poinsettia is the star of the show. Those velvety red petals and green leaves are an instant reminder of Christmas.
Capture their beauty permanently with our poinsettia garland template, free to download from Gathered. Print and cut your poinsettias then string them together to make a fun garland.
6. Stars and Angels Christmas garland
Stitch your … the heavens and the stars with The Wood Cottage Crafts’ kit. Their handmade kit comes with all the materials and tools you need as well as easy-to-follow templates.
Suitable for both hand and machine sewing, The Wood Cottage Crafts’ kit is beginner-friendly and can be completed in an afternoon. It’s also a great option for teens looking for some Christmassy entertainment away from a screen.
- Get your star and angel bunting kit from Etsy
Make a handmade wreath
You’ve got your DIY garland sorted, now you need a matching wreath. Learn how to make a Christmas wreath with our tutorial.
7. Crochet your own Christmas garland
Snuggle up and crochet Ruby McGrath's star garland pattern. Ruby’s easy-to-follow tutorial shows you how to make a string of colourful stars which can be strung all around your home. Hook yours up using scrap yarn for a more sustainable option.
8. DIY woodland animal garland
Craft all creatures, great and small with Alexia Claire. You’ll receive 44 different flora and fauna designs which you can use however you like! Each one is beautifully illustrated and can be used in multiple craft projects.
Turn the spare designs into handmade name holders or DIY Christmas cards.
- Pick up your woodland animal kit from Etsy
9. DIY braided Christmas garland
This braided garland by Wool Couture is simple yet effective. Measuring three meters, it’s certainly long enough to make a statement in your home!
The kit comes with two yarn colours of your choice as well as detailed plaiting instructions.
- Buy your braided garland from Etsy
10. DIY Santa garland
Pay homage to the big man himself with our free Christmas garland tutorial on Gathered. Download Santa, his sleigh and his reindeer using our free templates and stick them together to make this festive garland.
Remember to add pom poms and bells for an extra touch of magic.
11. Paint your own garland
Fancy a challenge? Why not paint your own garland? Amazon sells a huge range of wooden shapes all in different Christmas motifs.
You can paint these decorations in your favourite colours and even string along some twine if you want a more rustic feel. Building from scratch gives you complete creative freedom. Let your inner child go wild.
- Get your wooden decorations from Amazon
12. Recycled Christmas card garland
Save the planet and your bank balance with this sustainable Gathered Christmas garland. Miesje Chafer shows you how to turn old Christmas cards into a unique and personal decoration masterpiece.
If you’ve already recycled your past cards then why not use birthday cards instead? You could also use magazines, scrap paper or origami paper too.
How to work garlands into your decor
Once you’ve created your DIY Christmas garland it’s time to hang it up! There’s plenty of ways you can include garlands into your home.
Traditionalists might like to hang them around Christmas trees, mantelpieces and bannisters. They’ll also add extra interest to Christmas tables, looking right at home among the turkey and place cards.
Other places to hang your DIY Christmas garland
If you’re looking for a quirky Christmas set-up, why not wrap the garland around your houseplants? Dangle them from kitchen cupboards or add them above the letterbox to make the postie smile. You can be as creative as you like when it comes to decorating just make sure you have fun with it.
Finding the right garland kit for you
No matter your budget, style or skill level, there is a DIY garland for you. The most important thing to think about when picking a DIY Christmas garland kit is whether you're going to enjoy making it.
Challenge yourself by picking a kit in a craft you've always wanted to try. Or stick to a kit you're comfortable with for a relaxing make. Whatever kit you choose just make sure you're excited to make it!
Make your house a home this Christmas with other DIY ideas from Gathered
You’ve got the garland, now you need some ornaments!
Check out our take on DIY Christmas baubles to get your home sparkling this December.
