Most of us have bought that plain, prelit garland that all the craft stores carry. The problem is, it is very skimpy and not all that pretty. But, there’s an easy way to beef it up and make it look so much more expensive, just by adding a few greenery picks to it. Then, when you add in ribbon and some extras like hanging ornaments, it really makes a statement.
This is the plain prelit garland I bought last year from Target after Christmas and this is doubled. You can imagine how slim just one length of it is…definitely needs some help.
So, to the rescue, I went to Hobby Lobby and bought about 6 of these greenery picks that were on sale already for 1/2 price. Spent about $13 for all of these. Notice they already have pinecones and different greenery textures. I love all that texture added in. 
See, like this! Check out the lacy greens and the wispy pine pieces in here, as well as the different shades of green. This makes it look much more realistic and they sure have improved on these things over the last few years.
Here’s my garland with some of the picks woven in. You don’t even have to put them all close together, just space them apart and start fluffing to get some additional bulk on the garland. A good way to attach these is with zip ties. Get yourself a bag of them and they are great for Christmas decorating. 
Then, I added some pretty beads, ribbon and a few hanging ornaments and that’s all that is needed to make it all pretty-like. 
You can see all the different greenery textures and how they stand out from the plain ole’ garland that I started with. That’s all you have to do to make your garland something special. Just add a few of those greens and you’ll have a beautiful garland for your mantel.
Trying out some different camera settings, it’s hard getting good pics of this mantel, with all the natural light flooding in. I’ll also be adding some fresh magnolia branches soon too. Those are a great texture to add to the mantel with the browns and greens. 
But these give you a good idea of how it looks with all the additions of greenery and sparkle. I incorporated those big honkin’ yardsale sconces with the garland this year and used them for draping.
I’m adding in a few more pics since it’s cloudy today and these actually look better than a sunny day.
I’ll be hiding the light cord with some fresh magnolia branches soon.
That’s my $5 stocking from Ballards Outlet that I found about 5 years ago. They had some that were rejects from the monograms and I found one with not much thread on it and had it monogrammed for me. 
I’ll show you the rest of mine soon! What do you do on your mantel? Do you like a beefy garland or do you go for plain and simple?
I like a little bling myself!
My friend, Sandy, at Reluctant Entertainer, is having an apron giveaway today, so go on over and check it out!
Hi, Rhoda… I always enjoy seeing what you do.
I use garland with red berries and glittery gold stars on my mantle, and I like to double my garland, too. I think it looks better that way.
XO,
Sheila 🙂
Rhoda, Love the garland, the mantle & the stockings! Can’t wait to see the rest of your house!
Your garland looks great as well as your fireplace. I used the same type of garland around my doors and since it was outside I was able to use real greenery and orniments. I love a full garland and mantel, as everyone will see when I post the pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Sandy
Looks wonderful, Rhoda! I wish Hobby Lobby was just a tad bit closer!
I was at Lowe’s Monday and picked up some “scraps”. The girl working the garden area had no idea why I was asking about them. She called up front to see if I could take them. Brought a big box home. They are still soaking in Molly’s kiddie pool. I’m going to use them outdoors.
Looks great! I am so NOT crafty, but maybe even I could do something like that. 🙂
Your garland looks great! The texture and color are just wonderful. I haven’t ever bought the prelit garlands (I usually just add my own lights), but we poof ours up as well. Last year besides adding ornaments and ribbons, I added fresh magnolia and pine sprigs from our yard as an experiment. It turned our well, so we are incorporating the theme throughout the house this year.
Looking forward to seeing the rest of your Christmas decorations!
Jennifer
Hi Rhoda,
Those are good looking picks, they definately make the garland richer and fuller. The fireplace turned out wonderful!
Cathy
I like a nice full garland, too. I also have a mantle in a room that gets flooded with light, so I’m hoping my pictures come out good for the linky parties. I tried something a little different this year that I love in-person and I hope it comes across well in my pics.
BTW, love your stocking, Rhoda!
“big honkin sconce”…lolol sometimes your words make me smile. There is nothing like a big “honkin”sconce is there?
great tutorial on how to beef up your garland.
we dont have a mantle so i treat the console under the TV as such & yes i use garland..bu thanks to you i think it will look a bit better this year.
Thanks Rhoda =always a treat.
Hi Rhoda,
I love how pretty your mantel looks! I agree about “beefing up” the garland! I have tried something new this year with my mantel. You can check it out on my blog!
Rhoda, I love how your garland turned out. I bought one of the skimpy ones last year, and meant to do something with it, but just wasn’t sure what. Now I’ve got some great ideas, thanks to you!
LOVE this. I always use faux garland to do my decorating and just pump it up with cuttings from the yard and sparkly picks I bought on sale last year! I love the way you swagged the garland over your mantle through the sconces. Such a great idea. Love the blog! Happy Holidays.
I like a beefy garland! A few years back, there was a local gal who opened up a decorating shop and she did gorgeous garlands, decorated trees, all sorts of Christmas arrangements. I splurged and had her do me a garland for our mantle. She was able to order these lush, FAT, thick prelit garlands. That baby is actually a little heavy! She used pieces of silk ivy and another type of greenery here and there in the garland. Then two types of beautiful, wired ribbon, along with several pieces of sugared fruit looking ornaments. It’s done in a crimson red and gold. If I ever get tired of that garland, I am taking that thing apart and using her original FAT garland. LOL Sadly, her little business went out just this past year.
tina
Oh what a beautiful garland. I love it. You did a wonderful job. Hugs, Marty
I am with you, beef it up a bit. I even did this to my son”s pitiful little Christmas tree last year. He has a new one this year thank goodness.
Rhoda it is simply stunning! Love the pretty hanging drape of the strands of beads. 🙂
wow – your mantle looks gorgeous!!
LOVE LOVE your fireplace girl!! I too am a believer in fancy-ing up your garland. I just posted about mine and added a link to yours.
Very pretty!
Rhonda