I just received the Christmas Frontgate magazine and fell in love with many of their beautiful garlands and wreaths. They are on the expensive side. I may try to copy some of them! LOL!

I bought a couple nice strands from Garden Ridge this year for half off (orignially $15 a strand)....I thought they had a better selection than Hobby Lobby...just my opinion.

One thing I do with my garlands, which are all the $2.99 a strand variety besides the 2 new ones this year, is to combine 2 strands to make one thicker strand. Those I use around all my doorways and windows.

Now for my stairway, I've started with the 2 cheapo strand base and then buy a wide variety of greenery (on sale of course) and just keep wiring more and more goody to the strand each year...I don't quite have it to Frontgate status yet....but one day!

Instead of just replacing my garlands as they age, I just keep adding to them.

Here's a photo of my stairway garland.

Alex

Thanks Alex, combining my thinning garlands together is a great idea :) and with the savings i can then purchase some goodies to attach to them....and by the way your holiday decor is magnificent!
Karen

I saw beautiful garland in HomeGoods. It absolutely looked real, with twigs and pine cones, etc...only $40 a strand...
A lady was buying 2 for over her new mirror...asked me what I thought...gorgeous I replied...and ran to Michael's with my coupon! :)

I buy decent quality, like Costco or Michaels better ones and use a coupon. They do last a long time, much longer than the cheap ones...

The one I bought this year was the plain cheaper one at HL... $7.99 1/2price for $4. I have bought picks that look like long needle pine and added them, and then some more goodies. I like it pretty much... I plan on adding new stuff each year like Alex. I also got some pinecones from the yard and wired them on...that helps alot.
Here's a picture before the lights

And with the lights on... the tall piece behind the garland is a base I've made to put my nativity....

Bright, what you have is good quality. Have you ever seen the skinny stuff they sell, looks like green tinsel!
Yes I wire pine cones in too, and real branches for the yard..white pines with the long needles.

Hi Karen too! I like the garlands at Michaels, and they are having big sales this week on all their stuff.

Alex and Bright, your garlands look wonderful with all the additions. Its great to save the old stuff and make it new again, especially when it turns out so lovely.

hugs, Karen

Alex & Karen, your garland is lovely! Y'all got skilz!

I'm another fan of Michael's garland, particularly their Winter Naturals line. Sale right now is 40% off, the plain old basic 9' garlands are now $1.99 (from IIRC 4.99).

I am a big fan of the cheaper garland then I decorate it up according to the room it is in. I like the fact that for most add-ons all you need to do is lay the add-on down and then twist two sprigs of garland over it. When I use it outside I will cut real greens and just twist them into the garland - I do the same thing with the cheaper wreaths

This was a $1.49 cheap 14" wreath with real greens added and my own bow - you can do alot with plain garland and wreaths.....

Lynne

Alex, Bright, and Lynne, your garland and wreath all look lovely. The add ons really make it look like the expensive ones too. Luvs

I do the wreaths for my community entrance doing just that, a cheap wreath, and tons of fresh cut greens etc. Nicer than, and cheaper than one we would buy at the nursery.

Last year one got stolen..guess it was too nice, LOL..

Lynne, I have a serious case of bow-making envy!! That is really beautiful. I'd love to be able to make those. After some frustrating tries, I gave in and bought two off Etsy sellers. LOL

hugs, Karen

I got the Frongate catelog also. Their garland is the nicest I have ever seen! I also liked the pottery barn garland. I am going to try to duplicate it for on my front porch this year. Nice pictures! I just love this forum so many nice people and good ideas!

Just ran across this garland how to on a blog and thought all of you might enjoy taking a look too. Not only does she do lots of how to pics, her writing style is so fun too! Luvs

Here is a link that might be useful: the Nester's blog

Thanks, Luvs. You're such a super Blog Hunter. LOL. I never think to looking at any unless its one of our gang's. You supplying us with links to interesting ones sure makes it easier. LOL.

hugs, Karen