When you make homemade Christmas garland, you not only make your Christmas a little less commercialized, you also help save the planet in a variety of little ways.

Use items you already have around the house or items that would otherwise be tossed. For instance, use binder twine, string or yarn as the base. Old jump ropes can also be used when making garland. Then use ribbon, cookie cutters, bits and pieces of old clothing and scraps of paper to create dangling items.

How to Make a Homemade Christmas Garland
A cute idea for country style garland for the kitchen window is to use old fabric. Tear several old shirts or dresses into six inch strips. Use a variety of dark and light colors and a variety of patterns. Tie the strips to the twine, yarn or string, so that one is attached about every six inches or so. If possible, string cranberries between each bow. Dried orange, lemon and apple slices also make wonderful accents on country garland.

Christmas Tree Garland

• Make beautiful lacey snowflakes! When you need enough garland to hang on the Christmas tree it’s time to find that old sheet you were planning to toss. Tear it into strips that are about one inch wide. Tie the strips together to create one long strip that will circle the Christmas tree several times. Use scrap paper to create lovely white snowflakes. Stay true to form and make sure every snowflake is different in design as well as in size. Secure the snowflakes to the garland at four to six inch intervals. Wrap the garland around the tree.
• Make mouthwatering faux candy! Use plastic wrap, ribbons and corrugated cardboard to create an abundance of faux candy. Go nuts and make large candies that are the size of your palm. For variety, create both round and oblong pieces of candy. Color stripes and swirls on the candy pieces with crayons, spray paint or markers.

Garland for the Gate
When stringing garland across a gate or fence, it is fun to include items that add to the charm of your house and also that include your own personality. If you live on a farm, own a horse or just love horses, start with binder twine and tie a series of horseshoes to the twine as you wrap it around the fence or gate. Use colorful ribbon to tie the horseshoes to the twine or simply wrap the twine about the horseshoes. Add a sprig or two of greens to spruce it up, and wrap a string of miniature white lights in and around the homemade Christmas garland. This country garland will offer a delightful welcome to both passersby and guests.