When it comes to decorating your Christmas tree, the simplest (and cheapest!) touches can also be the most impactful. You don’t need pricey ornaments to dress up your personal pine. Some simple household items and a little time are all it takes to transform your tree from blah to beautiful. Popcorn garlands literally make your tree, well… “pop”.
How To Make a Popcorn Garland
- It’s “Sew” Easy: Grab thread or embroidery floss and a large sewing needle. Teri Storelli, also known as The Discount Dame suggests using a yarn needle since it’s extra big and sturdy.
- Pop the Perfect Kernels: Depending on the size of your tree and how many strands you want, it can take a lot of popcorn to make each garland. Pop plenty of corn and then leave out overnight to harden. Harder popcorn is actually easier to string. Make sure your popcorn is unsalted and unbuttered. This is one instance where you won’t miss the flavor!
- String Them Up: Allow yourself plenty of time to string the corn. This is best done with holiday music in the background and a mug of hot cocoa in hand.
- Hang High: According to artist and crafter Michelle Ochonicky, of Stone Hollow Studio, consider all the members of the family when you’re placing your garlands on the tree. After hours spent stringing, “We discovered our big Standard Poodle standing by the tree munching on the popcorn strands. By the time we found him, he'd eaten most of the kernels in the middle of the tree, leaving a huge bare area.” Ochhonicky’s advice— "It’s best not to use popcorn strands if you have a big dog,” or at least don’t hang them low enough for the dog to get.
- Preserve It: After the holidays, preserve your garland for next year. Storelli explains how: “Invest in a shallow storage tub. Lay the garland in carefully, and spread it out as much as possible. Also place a small plastic bowl with a dry sponge in the tub to absorb any moisture." She also cautions about where you store the garlands, “Don't store this tub in the garage where moisture is bound to ruin the popcorn."
Want to make your popcorn garland extra special?
- Seeing Red: Expert crafter Melissa Klein of Celebrations.com suggests putting a colorful spin on the traditional popcorn garland. “Try making your popcorn garland a little more festive by making a simple syrup of sugar and water. Paint the syrup onto the popcorn and before it dries, then sprinkle or roll the kernels in colored glitter. A pretty gold or red would really stand out. Once your popcorn dries, thread it onto a string and add a few fresh cranberries as you go, placing one cranberry per every few pieces of popcorn.”
- Sparkle Plenty: To get that sparkly snow look sans the snow, Teri Storelli suggests lightly misting your hung garland with spray adhesive and “Pour some glitter into the palm of your hand, stand about 3 feet back from the garland and blow the glitter.” The result will be a snow-kissed, sparkly garland.
