Making Your Christmas Garland Tutorial | Our Entry Decorated for Christmas

We had a really nice weekend, full of Christmas time activities to get us all in the spirit of the season!  On Saturday, we went downtown to see the musical production of The Elf (one of our favorite Christmas movies).  Unfortunately, Charlie stayed home with my Mum since he was just getting over a virus that took him down for a couple days.  That evening was Luminaria in our village (you can read about the tradition here,  here and here), and while we didn't make it down to see Santa this year, we did walk to the Boy Scout tree lot, along the luminaria lined streets, to pick out a beautiful tree and string it full of white lights before Charlie's bedtime.    It just doesn't feel like Christmas until the tree is up, does it?

Sunday I finished decorating the outside of our home.  I don't know why, but I feel a little behind everyone else this year.  I had vowed to stay away from fresh greenery inside our home (broke my promise) and just use it outside.  Our weather is cold and damp this time of year so fresh greens tend to stay green for a LONG time.  I picked up some gorgeous cedar garland for our fence from a local garden shop and about fell over at the price ($115).  I had really hoped to frame our front door this year as well, but there was no way I was spending that sort of money to make it happen.  I decided to try my hand at making my own garland with clippings from our yard and scraps from a tree lot instead.  Cedar and fir tend to stay fresh looking longer than other greens so they make the best garland.  I had access to TONS of fir clippings but no cedar.  I had planned to buy some cedar to weave in the finished garland but I ended up liking it simple.   I love that it looks a little wild and unruly, just like I hoped it would.

^^ the expensive garland on the fence^^

^^ fir springs, magnolia leaves (from our Thanksgiving table) and red berries in our urns^^

^^handmade ("free") garland around our door^^

Since several of you requested a tutorial, I had Andrew  video me explaining and showing the steps.  I figured it was easier that to try take photos and explain it.  (disclaimers (or ideas for drinking games): Andrew has the hiccups and I say "actually"  more than anyone should in a 5 minute time span... and we were interrupted by Charlie so many times that I start to speak faster hoping to get it all in and sound rather winded in the process.... aside from that though, it should be relatively easy to follow... thank goodness my interest in a career in broadcast journalism barely lasted 2 weeks!!)

The garland in the video is now on our mantle -- which I plan to show later in the week. Even though I do have some fresh greenery inside this year, I've done far less than normal.  I just don't want dried up greenery come Christmas morning.  I have more fresh greens that I've left outside to replace indoors when things start to go south. Haha.

Let me know if you attempt to make your own garland.  I really did enjoy the process!!  Or if you have other tips on making your own, please share!  I watched a couple tutorials but then went on to do it my own way because it worked better for me.

DIY Christmas Garland by Nine and Sixteen from tessa on Vimeo.