Easiest Way to Make Real Garland

3 Materials
$20
45 Minutes
Easy
I love fresh garland but it usually looks puny and is a pain to put together. I've decided this is the best and easiest way to have fresh/real garland in a short amount of time.
Start with a strand of the faux garland. I used to 6 foot strands for our gate. It's also long enough I didn't need to wire it to the gate but if you feel more secure in doing so, it will be fine. Simply wrap the garland around the gate and twist a few of the limbs together to secure it to the gate.
I had 2 - 6 foot decorative garlands that I went ahead and added just for looks but it is totally not necessary. It makes it look less authentic if you use it. I wanted the brightness of it.
I cut cedar and pine branches from the trees in our pasture but you can find them at your local hardware store or tree farm. Usually, the hardware store will give them to you free of charge. I've done that a few times. The longer your branches are the less you'll need.
Cut limbs about 20 inches long. Look at which way the branch falls or sways. If it looks like it falls left then put it on the left side. Do the same for the right. Start in the middle and work your way out. When you add a branch or two, simply secure them by twisting the faux branches from the faux garland around the fresh stems to hold them in place.
And that is it! I like them to face in different directions but for the most part it's full and plump. I love it. We usually have a heavy dew in the mornings but if you don't, spritz it each day with water and it will stay fresh looking the entire Christmas season.
We added battery operated LED lights to the garland as well. It is so welcoming when we drive up.
I also added fresh clippings to the faux wreath so it looked more realistic as well. The bow was added with a twist tie and voila - Fresh garland for a Christmas gate.
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Cindy Richter
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