How to Make Your Own Christmas Garland with Lights

Store-bought garland works fine. But if you've ever handled a piece of fresh-cut cedar or white pine and thought "I could do this myself" — you're right, and the result will look better than anything that came in a plastic bag. Homemade garland is fuller, smells incredible, and gives you total control over the shape, length, and density.

Plus, it's one of those projects where the finished product looks far more impressive than the effort it took. Here's how to do it right.

What You'll Need

• Greenery: Fresh-cut branches of cedar, white pine, Fraser fir, or a mix. Buy bundles at a tree lot, or cut from your own property. Mix species for texture — cedar gives flat, fern-like layers; pine adds needle depth; fir provides structure.
• Wire: 22-gauge paddle wire (green floral wire) for binding
• A base: Either a thick jute rope or a heavy-gauge wire as your spine. Jute is easier for beginners — the branches grip it naturally.
• Pruners: Hand pruners or garden shears for cutting branches into 6–8 inch pieces
• Lights: Warm white 5mm LED lights — you'll weave these in as you build, not after

Step-by-Step Assembly

1. Cut Your Greenery

Cut branches into 6–8 inch tips. You want the bushy ends, not bare stems. Mix species in small bundles of 3–5 pieces — one bundle per attachment point. Lay your cut bundles on a tarp to keep them organized.

2. Set Up Your Base

Cut a length of jute rope about 18 inches longer than your finished garland (extra for tying off the ends). Lay it out straight on a long table, driveway, or floor.

3. Attach Bundles

Take your first bundle of greens and hold it against the rope with the tips pointing in one direction. Wrap floral wire tightly around the stems and rope 3–4 times. Don't cut the wire — leave it on the paddle.

Lay the next bundle overlapping the stems of the first, so the greenery of the second bundle covers the wire and stems of the first. Wrap again. Repeat all the way down the rope, keeping bundles on the same side and overlapping consistently.

4. Weave in the Lights

This is the step most people get wrong — they try to add lights after the garland is hung. Much easier to do it now, while the garland is flat.

Starting at one end, spiral warm white mini lights on green wire through the greenery. Push bulbs down into the branches so they're partially hidden — the glow should feel embedded, not surface-mounted. Use about 100 lights per 6 feet of garland for a rich look.

Leave the plug end at whichever end will be closest to your power source when hung.

5. Fill and Fluff

Go back along the garland and tuck in any bare spots with extra greenery snippets. Bend branches to fill gaps. This is where the garland goes from "decent" to "that looks incredible." Five minutes of fluffing makes a huge difference.

Adding Embellishments

Once the base garland with lights is built, you can add:

• Pinecones: Wire them individually to the base every 12–18 inches
• Berry clusters: Tuck artificial berry stems into the greenery — the red against green is classic
• Ribbon: Weave wired ribbon loosely through the garland in a serpentine pattern
• C7 bulbs: For visible points of light along the garland, drape a C7 warm white stringer along the front edge. The larger bulbs add a traditional, nostalgic look on top of the embedded mini lights.
• Dried orange slices or cinnamon sticks: For decorators who appreciate the small, intentional details

Where to Hang It

Fresh garland is heavy — especially with lights and accents wired in. Plan your hanging method before you make the garland:

• Mantels: The most popular spot. Drape with a slight swag in the center for a natural curve. See our mantel decorating guide for the full layout.
• Staircase banisters: Spiral-wrap the garland around the railing, securing with zip ties or ribbon at each baluster
• Porch railings: Lay it along the top rail and secure with small hooks or clips
• Doorframes: Frame the front door for curb appeal — use adhesive hooks rated for the weight

Making It Last

Fresh garland dries out. A few things extend its life:

• Mist with water every 2–3 days
• Keep away from heat sources (not right above a roaring fire)
• Fresh-cut cedar lasts the longest — often 3–4 weeks indoors without drying out badly
• Build it no more than a week before you want it looking its best

LED lights are ideal here — they generate no heat, so they won't accelerate the drying process the way incandescent lights would.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much greenery do I need to make garland?

Plan for about 3–4 pounds of fresh-cut greenery per 6 feet of finished garland. A standard mantel garland (5–6 feet) needs roughly 4 pounds. A staircase wrap (10–15 feet) needs 6–10 pounds. Tree lots typically sell bundles by the pound.

How long does homemade garland last?

Fresh garland lasts 2–4 weeks indoors depending on the species and humidity. Cedar lasts the longest. Misting every few days extends the life. Outdoors in cold weather, fresh garland can last the entire holiday season.

Can I use artificial greenery instead of fresh?

Absolutely. High-quality artificial greenery is reusable year after year. The technique is the same — bundle, wire, overlap, weave in lights. You lose the scent but gain durability and zero maintenance.

What type of Christmas lights work best in garland?

5mm warm white mini lights on green wire are ideal for embedding inside the greenery. The green wire disappears and the wide-angle bulbs push light in every direction. For visible bulbs along the front, add C7 warm white faceted bulbs on a separate stringer.

Should I add lights before or after hanging the garland?

Before — always. Weaving lights into garland that's already mounted is frustrating and never looks as clean. Lay the garland flat, spiral the lights through, then hang the whole unit.

How do I keep homemade garland from shedding needles?

Shedding is mainly a moisture issue. Mist regularly, avoid placing directly above heat sources, and choose species like cedar that retain needles longer. Anti-desiccant sprays (available at garden centers) can also help seal moisture in the needles.

About The Christmas Light Emporium

The Christmas Light Emporium has been helping homeowners create warm, beautiful holiday displays since 2015. Whether you're wrapping fresh garland for the first time or upgrading a display you've been building for years, we carry the lights, stringers, and accessories that make every piece look intentional.

Browse our full selection at TheChristmasLightEmporium.com.