Christmas Tree Garland Ideas 2026: 10 Looks + Length Chart

Quick answer

The most popular Christmas tree garland ideas for 2026 are wood bead garland, wired ribbon swags, dried orange slices, popcorn and cranberry strings, pearl beads and light garlands. A 7.5-foot tree needs about 30 to 40 feet (4 to 5 nine-foot strands) for loose swags. Hang garland after lights and ribbon, before ornaments.

Updated for 2026 with current garland prices and a strand planner.

Garland adds movement and texture to a Christmas tree. Here are 10 garland ideas, from wood beads to dried oranges, plus how much you need and how to hang it so it looks natural.

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10 Christmas tree garland ideas

1. Wood bead garland

Natural or white-washed wood beads draped in loose swags. A favorite for farmhouse and Scandinavian trees, and it lasts for years.

2. Ribbon as garland

Wide wired ribbon draped around the tree works as a garland and costs very little. See how to put ribbon on a tree. To dot bows along the swags, see our guide to burgundy velvet bows for Christmas tree styling.

3. Dried orange garland

Thread dried orange slices on twine, with cinnamon sticks or cranberries in between. It smells wonderful and costs almost nothing.

Christmas tree garland ideas – Christmas tree decorated with dried oranges — Dried oranges are cheap and fragrant

Green wreath with a beaded garland and bells — Dried oranges are cheap and fragrant

4. Popcorn and cranberry garland

The classic old-fashioned garland. Use day-old popcorn so it does not crumble, and a needle with thread or fishing line. Great for kids’ trees (keep away from pets).

5. Tinsel garland

Metallic tinsel garland is back for vintage-style trees. Use it sparingly for sparkle.

6. Pom-pom or felt ball garland

Colorful and playful, perfect for kids’ rooms and modern trees.

7. Paper garland

Paper chains, paper stars or accordion-folded paper. A fun family project.

8. Pearl or crystal bead garland

Elegant on white and gold or silver themes.

9. Jingle bell garland

Small bells on twine or ribbon add sparkle and a gentle sound.

10. Light garland

A strand of globe or fairy lights draped like a garland adds extra glow on top of regular tree lights. For mantels and doorways, our best pre-lit Christmas garland guide compares battery and plug-in options.

Lighted green Christmas tree — Draped garland adds rhythm and fullness to a well-lit tree.

How much garland do you need?

Tree height	Loose swags	Tight wraps
4 to 5 ft	15 to 20 ft	25 to 30 ft
6 to 6.5 ft	25 to 30 ft	35 to 45 ft
7 to 7.5 ft	30 to 40 ft	45 to 60 ft
9 ft	45 to 55 ft	60 to 75 ft

Approximate lengths. Draped swags use less than tight spirals.

How to hang garland

Add garland after lights and ribbon, before ornaments (here is how to put wide Christmas ribbon on the tree).
Start at the top and work down.
Drape in loose swags that dip 4 to 6 inches between branches, rather than wrapping tightly.
Keep spacing between rows even, about 12 to 18 inches.
Tuck the ends deep into the branches.

Loose swags look more natural than tight spirals. Let garland dip gently between branches. The same swag rule works on banisters, and our guide on how to hang garland on stairs shows the tie spacing.

What garland costs

Type	Typical price
DIY dried orange or popcorn	$0 to $10
Paper or felt ball (6 to 9 ft)	$8 to $20
Wood bead (6 to 9 ft)	$10 to $25
Pearl or crystal bead (9 ft)	$10 to $30
Light garland (globe lights)	$15 to $35

Typical 2026 US prices.

Christmas tree with red and silver ornaments — Garland goes on before ornaments so they can sit on top.

Garland in 4 steps

Lights and ribbon first.
Start at the top.
Drape loose swags.
Keep rows evenly spaced.

Match garland to your tree theme

Rustic farmhouse: wood beads, burlap ribbon and pinecones.
Natural: dried oranges, cinnamon sticks and cranberry strands.
Classic red and gold: red velvet ribbon with gold bead or bell garland.
White and gold: pearl or champagne bead garland.
Vintage: tinsel garland and popcorn strings with colorful bulbs.
Kids’ tree: paper chains and felt ball garland.

Use one main garland and, at most, one accent. Two different garlands draped in the same swags look busy; if you want both, run ribbon in loose swags and add a thin bead garland only on the lower half of the tree. Then layer ornaments on top; see our best Christmas ornament sets for shatterproof sets in matching colors.

Make your own in an evening

A simple bead garland takes about an hour: buy a bag of unfinished wood beads from a craft store, thread them on jute twine with a knot every few beads, and finish each end with a small tassel. Paper chains and felt ball strands are even faster and make a great family activity on a December weekend.

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As an Amazon Associate, Team5E earns from qualifying purchases. Prices are typical ranges and change often.

★ Our top picks: Best Pre-Lit Christmas Trees · Best Fairy Lights

Four ways to drape garland on a tree

The same garland can look completely different depending on how you hang it. Try one of these styles with any of the Christmas tree garland ideas above.

Loose swags

The most popular look. Garland dips gently between branches in curves that move around the tree. It looks relaxed and natural and uses the least garland.

Spiral wrap

Garland circles the tree in a steady diagonal from top to bottom. This works well with tinsel and thin bead strands and suits classic or vintage trees.

Vertical drops

Strands hang straight down from the top of the tree, like ribbons on a maypole. It is a modern look that works especially well with pearl, crystal and wood bead garlands.

Waterfall

Several short lengths cascade from the top and tuck in partway down. This style pairs nicely with wired ribbon and is a good way to use up shorter garlands.

Christmas tree garland ideas by tree type

Tree	Best garland	Tip
Slim or pencil tree	Thin bead strands, small felt balls	Use vertical drops so the tree looks taller
Full 7.5 ft tree	Wired ribbon, chunky wood beads	Loose swags 12 to 18 inches apart
Flocked tree	Pearl, gold or wood bead garland	Avoid heavy garlands that knock off flocking
Small tabletop tree	Mini bead or paper garland	One or two passes is enough
Real tree	Dried oranges, cranberry strands, wood beads	Keep natural garlands away from hot bulbs

Suggestions to match common tree styles

If your tree is slim, see our guide to the slim Christmas tree for more styling help.

Budget Christmas tree garland ideas

Cut leftover wrapping ribbon into lengths and drape it as a garland.
String popcorn, cranberries or dried orange slices from your kitchen.
Make paper chains from old book pages, sheet music or kraft paper.
Thread inexpensive wood craft beads on jute twine.
Use a spare strand of fairy lights as a glowing garland.
Cut felt scraps into small circles and stitch them onto thread.

Most of these cost under $10 for a full tree, which makes them some of the best Christmas tree garland ideas for anyone decorating on a tight budget.

Safety tips for garland

Natural and handmade Christmas tree garland ideas are charming, but a few precautions keep them safe around lights, kids and pets. Choose cooler LED lights when you plan to use paper, popcorn or fruit, and check the tree every few days; our best Christmas tree lights guide lists LED sets with UL or ETL marks.

Keep paper, popcorn and dried fruit garlands away from hot incandescent bulbs; LED lights run cooler.
Hang popcorn and cranberry strands higher if you have pets, since they may try to eat them.
Use shatterproof or wood beads on lower branches if you have toddlers.
Never let garland touch a candle, fireplace or space heater.
Check light garlands for frayed wires before hanging.

How to store garland so it does not tangle

Wrap bead garland around a piece of cardboard or an empty paper towel tube.
Coil ribbon loosely and store it in a shoebox to keep the wire from bending.
Store dried orange garlands flat in an airtight container with a silica packet.
Throw away popcorn strands after the season; they do not keep.
Label each container with the length so you know what you have next year.

Common garland mistakes

Wrapping garland too tightly, which flattens the branches.
Hanging garland after ornaments, so it pulls them sideways.
Using too many garland types on one tree.
Leaving uneven spacing between rows.
Choosing garland that is too thin for a large tree, so it disappears.

For help with the ribbon layer, read how to put ribbon on a Christmas tree, and if your tree looks sparse, try our tips on how to make a Christmas tree look fuller. Pick one or two Christmas tree garland ideas that match your theme, hang them in loose swags, and your tree will look finished and full.

How many strands of garland to buy

Most store-bought garlands come in 6 to 9-foot strands, so a 7.5-foot tree with loose swags needs about 4 to 5 strands of 9-foot garland. Use the planner below to turn the footage above into a shopping list.

Tree height	Loose swags	9-ft strands to buy	Typical bead garland cost
4 to 5 ft	15 to 20 ft	2 to 3	$20 to $75
6 to 6.5 ft	25 to 30 ft	3 to 4	$30 to $100
7 to 7.5 ft	30 to 40 ft	4 to 5	$40 to $125
9 ft	45 to 55 ft	5 to 7	$50 to $175

Planning ranges using the $10 to $25 per wood bead strand prices above; DIY garland costs far less

Garland vs ribbon on a Christmas tree: which should you use?

Use ribbon if you want a full, designer look with fewer ornaments; use garland if you want texture and a lighter, relaxed look. Many trees use both: ribbon in loose swags as the main layer, then a thin bead garland as the accent.

	Garland	Ribbon
Look	Texture, rhythm, casual or vintage	Bold color, fuller and more formal
Amount for 7.5 ft	30 to 40 ft	2 to 3 rolls of 2.5-inch wired ribbon
Best styles	Farmhouse, natural, kids, vintage	Classic, glam, themed trees
Reuse	Many years for bead and tinsel	Several years if stored loosely coiled

General comparison

To finish the look, tuck a few Christmas tree picks where the garland swags meet, and see Christmas tree theme ideas to match colors.

Helpful resources: For more on Christmas tree garland ideas, see the National Christmas Tree Association and U.S. Fire Administration.

Christmas tree garland ideas: frequently asked questions

How much garland do I need for a 7.5-foot tree?

About 30 to 40 feet for loose swags, or 45 to 60 feet for tighter wraps.

Does garland go on before or after ornaments?

After lights and ribbon, and before ornaments.

How do you hang bead garland on a Christmas tree?

Start at the top and drape it in loose swags that dip 4 to 6 inches between branches, keeping the rows evenly spaced as you go down.

How do you make a dried orange garland?

Slice oranges about a quarter-inch thick, bake on low heat for a few hours until dry, then thread them on twine with cinnamon sticks or cranberries.

What can I use instead of garland on a Christmas tree?

Wired ribbon, a strand of fairy or globe lights, paper chains or a string of dried orange slices all work as garland and often cost less.

Should garland go up and down or around the tree?

Both work. Loose swags around the tree are the most popular, while vertical drops from the top give a modern look and make slim trees seem taller.

How many strands of garland do I need for a Christmas tree?

For a 7.5-foot tree with loose swags, buy about 4 to 5 strands of 9-foot garland (30 to 40 feet). A 6-foot tree needs about 3 to 4 strands.

Is garland or ribbon better on a Christmas tree?

Neither is better; it depends on the look. Ribbon gives a fuller, more formal tree, while garland adds texture and a relaxed feel. Many people use ribbon as the main layer and a thin garland as an accent.

What are easy DIY Christmas tree garland ideas?

Dried orange slices on twine, popcorn and cranberry strings, paper chains, felt ball strands and wood craft beads on jute are the easiest DIY garlands. Most take an evening and cost under $10 for a full tree.

How far apart should garland be on a Christmas tree?

Keep rows about 12 to 18 inches apart and let each swag dip 4 to 6 inches between branches. Start at the top and work down so the spacing stays even.

How do you make garland look expensive on a Christmas tree?

Pick one main garland in your color scheme, size it to the tree (chunkier strands for a 7.5-foot or larger tree), drape loose swags instead of tight wraps and tuck the ends deep into the branches.