DIY Christmas Garland Ideas Using Natural Greenery (2025)

DIY Christmas Garland Ideas Using Natural Greenery

The moment the air turns crisp and the first holiday candles get lit, we start dreaming about lush, fragrant garland draped across mantels, staircases, and front doors. There is something undeniably magical about a DIY Christmas garland made with real pine, cedar, magnolia, and eucalyptus; it instantly makes the whole house smell like a winter forest walked right inside and decided to stay.

This year at Shop Studio Sisters we set ourselves a fun challenge: create thirteen completely different natural Christmas garlands without spending more than twenty-five dollars on any single one. Most actually came in under fifteen dollars because we mixed free foraged Christmas decor with a handful of Dollar Tree stems and basic craft supplies most of us already own.

Whether you’re lucky enough to have evergreen trees in your backyard or you’re working with the surprisingly realistic picks from the dollar store, these DIY Christmas garland ideas will give you that expensive, organic, designer look that is absolutely everywhere on Pinterest and Instagram right now.

Why Natural Greenery is the Biggest Christmas Trend of 2025

This year the holiday world has fully embraced calm, earthy, intentional styling. A natural Christmas garland fits perfectly because it brings real texture, subtle color variation, and that incredible fresh-forest scent that no artificial spray can truly duplicate. When you layer in wooden beads, dried citrus, cotton bolls, or pampas grass you instantly get the relaxed boho holiday style that feels both timeless and completely on-trend.

The best part is that natural Christmas garland is forgiving. It doesn’t have to be perfectly symmetrical; the wilder and fuller it looks, the more expensive it appears. Even if you’ve never made garland before, you can create something stunning in under an hour.

Where to Source Your Greenery Without Breaking the Bank

• Backyard or neighborhood evergreens (pine, cedar, fir, spruce, holly, magnolia) – completely free foraged Christmas decor
• Ask neighbors or friends who are pruning trees this time of year
• Grocery-store floral departments often sell mixed evergreen bundles for six to ten dollars
• Trader Joe’s and local nurseries for fresh eucalyptus and seeded eucalyptus
• Dollar Tree and Dollar General for surprisingly realistic faux pine, cedar, and eucalyptus picks (our secret weapon for filling gaps and stretching fresh pieces)

Essential Tools You Probably Already Own

• Sharp pruners or heavy-duty scissors
• Green floral wire and wire cutters
• Hot glue gun (for adding dried elements)
• Jute twine or fishing line for hanging

13 Stunning DIY Christmas Garland Ideas Using Natural Greenery

1. Classic Fresh Pine & Cedar Mantel Garland Layer long pine branches with chunky cedar pieces, secure every six to eight inches with floral wire, and finish with a loose burlap or linen bow. This is the timeless version that never goes out of style.

1. Eucalyptus & Cotton Boho Swag Silver-dollar eucalyptus paired with fluffy cotton stems and white-washed pinecones creates the softest, dreamiest neutral Christmas garland imaginable.

1. Magnolia Leaf & Pinecone Statement Piece Large glossy magnolia leaves form the backbone, tucked with short pine sprigs and oversized pinecones for a high-end Southern farmhouse look.

1. Dried Orange Slice & Cinnamon Stick Garland Dehydrate orange slices (or buy them pre-dried), hot-glue to twine along with cinnamon sticks and star anise between cedar clippings. The scent is pure holiday magic.

1. Woodland Mushroom & Moss Garland Glue tiny faux mushrooms and patches of sheet moss onto a pine base. Perfect for the 2025 cottagecore lovers.
2. Macramé + Greenery Hybrid Knot simple macramé cord in a long strip, then weave in short eucalyptus and pine stems for a textured boho door hanging.

1. Frosted Faux Pine & Baby’s Breath Lightly spray Dollar Tree pine garland with white floral spray paint, then tuck in dried baby’s breath for a snowy effect.
2. Seeded Eucalyptus & Pampas Grass Swag Long seeded eucalyptus mixed with fluffy cream pampas plumes tied with velvet ribbon. The ultimate boho holiday style piece

1. Mini Wreath Garland Banner Make eight to ten 6-inch mini wreaths from mixed greenery and string them across a window or headboard.
2. Rosemary & Lavender Herb Garland Fresh rosemary wired with dried lavender bundles. Hang in the kitchen for an aromatic kitchen accent.
3. Citrus & Juniper Staircase Garland Fresh juniper base studded with whole clementines, dried lime slices, gold-painted walnuts, and fairy lights

1. Neutral Feather & Greenery Door Swag Pheasant feathers, bleached pinecones, and white-tipped pine for an elegant entryway statement.
2. Mixed Foraged Evergreen Runner Simply layer every type of greenery you can find (pine, cedar, fir, holly) for the wildest, fullest look.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Eucalyptus & Cotton Boho Garland (Our Most-Pinned Version)

Supplies (total cost ~$18)

• 6–8 bunches real or faux silver-dollar eucalyptus
• 4–5 cotton stems (Dollar Tree or craft store)
• Jute twine or floral wire
• Wire cutters & hot glue gun

Step 1 – Lay eucalyptus stems in a long row on the floor, alternating direction for fullness. Step 2 – Overlap each stem by half its length and secure with floral wire every 8–10 inches. Step 3 – Tuck cotton bolls into gaps, securing with small dabs of hot glue or extra wire. Step 4 – Add hanging loops of jute twine at both ends. Step 5 – Fluff, shape, and hang. Takes 25 minutes once you get the rhythm.

How to Make Fresh Greenery Last Longer

• Mist with water every two days
• Keep away from direct heat vents and fireplaces
• Add a floral anti-desiccant spray (garden centers carry it)
• Mix in high-quality faux pieces to reuse the base next year

Your home is about to look and smell like a high-end holiday magazine spread for a fraction of the cost. Which of these DIY Christmas garland ideas are you making first? Drop a comment below and tag us when you share your version; we cannot wait to see!