I Tested the Viral Christmas Garland Hack: My Experience and 2 Simple DIY Garlands to Try!

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More Christmas

This smart shower rod hack and a DIY craft involving dried oranges are two Christmas garland ideas you’ll want to copy this season.

using a tension rod to hang a garland

Let’s talk about beautiful Christmas garland decor!

I have been busy decking the halls and preparing for a fun holiday. With Christmas decorating in full swing, I wanted to share a couple of easy DIYs I have had success with. Maybe they can inspire some fun and easy DIY ideas for your home!

hanging garland in a doorway using a tension rod

I tried the viral decorating hack of using a tension rod to hang a garland in the doorway!

WOW. I love how this turned out! What a fun way and easy way to hang Christmas garland! I did have some troubles along the way with this project, but hopefully you can avoid the same issues I encountered by using my tips.

This method of using a curtain or shower curtain rod has sure been popular this year in my social media feeds, and I was so excited to jump on this trend.

woman holding a tension rod and garland

My number one tip for this is to use a strong tension rod.

I initially bought a thin one and it just kept falling from the weight of the garland. My doorway here is narrow, so a shower curtain rod was out of the question. I almost gave up, but then decided to search online for a better solution.

This strong tension rod from Amazon made such a huge difference. It can hold 30 pounds and is extremely sturdy and substantial. I’ll be able to use it year after year to create a holiday garland, and I highly recommend it.

two garland strands on a rod

Here’s how to put together my hanging garland.

First, I set up the rod high enough to decorate it while standing. I used two garlands and twisted them a few times over the tension rod. Notice how I started high on the left side and then the right side is swagged down a little. I secured the garland to the rod in a couple of spots with zip ties just to be sure they didn’t slide off.

decorating a tension rod with christmas garland

Then I went in with a few of my favorite faux orange and berry picks, and hung a pretty decorative bell and velvet ribbon using a stocking hanger. I also added a few nutcracker ornaments as that is my theme this year! The final step is to get on a ladder and lift your rod with the garland up near the ceiling.

The results are so stunning!

faux bell and velvet ribbon hanging on a garland

Here is a list of everything I used in this doorway Christmas garland:

Watch this garland come to life! 😍

As another DIY decorating idea, check out this cute dried orange garland I made last year!

Christmas garland idea using dried oranges

I loved making this garland as it was a fun and easy craft. The jute and wood beads make for a rustic and simple decoration that can work on the mantle, above a door, or on the Christmas tree! I incorporated it on my mantle with some other green garland and reindeer decor.

Below are the directions if you’d like to try it!

tray with dried orange slices in the oven drying

dried oranges used to make a christmas garland

compiling a dried orange garland with twine and wood beads


Dried Orange Slices Christmas Garland

Print

Supplies Needed

Directions

1

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Slice the oranges about 1/8 inch thin.

2

Place the oranges on a baking sheet pan in a single layer. Bake for around 3 hours until dried. Turn the slices over halfway through baking. Let cool completely.

3

Use a wood skewer to poke a couple of holes in the orange. Thread the twine through the holes in the orange and place a wood bead between each orange.


holding orange slices christmas garland

I love how inexpensive and fun this dried orange project is! Let us know if you have tried any fun Christmas decorating DIY projects lately!


Make a frugal and sweet-smelling Christmas centerpiece using oranges and cloves!


About the writer:

Lina has a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Arizona University with 11 years of blogging and photography experience having work featured in Today.com, Martha Stewart, Country Living, Fox News, Buzzfeed, and HGTV.


Join The Discussion

Comments 17

  1. Liz Curtis

    I need your help I got an email saying I’m a prize winner but it’s asking for my credit card info & charging me $1 ? Surely this can’t be right… 🤔

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Oh no! SO sorry, Liz. ❤️ It seems there are many spammers out there. There’s no charge to sign up or be a winner in any of our giveaways. Please don’t give them any of your information. ❤️

      • Liz Curtis

        I only gave them my name made a password & they already had my e-mail. Dumb me 😞
        But when it asked for my credit card info I stopped & said No.

        • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

          Aww, SO glad you didn’t give them your credit card. ❤️ Thanks for letting us know that happened.

    • CeeJay

      This sounds like a scam to me. Unless I KNEW I entered this contest I wouldn’t respond. If you do decide to respond, i suggest you ONLY use a card where you can setup a virtual one-time use. Some credit cards have this one-time-use feature, you may have to call the card company to access the feature.

  2. Dani R

    You can also use clear shower curtain rings to discreetly hold your garland and trimmings in place. 🙂

  3. ihearthip

    Your garland is beautiful and the reindeer are perfect on top! Love them! Great job! 🙂

    • Lina

      Thank u so much!

  4. Regina

    Why am I only seeing this now.? 😂

  5. savorthedeals

    Lina, your curtain rod garland is really gorgeous! Love it!❤️

    • Lina

      Oh thank you so much! I appreciate it. ❤️

  6. Ivy

    Love it.

    • Lina

      Thanks Ivy!

  7. Rebecca

    LOVE this idea! Next year I plan to add it to my decorating. Thank you!

    • Lina

      Great! Yes, so easy and cute!

  8. Kristy

    I love this! I always wanted to put up garland like that like my mom did when I was young but my house doesn’t have the door way trim to secure thumb tacks. I never thought of using a curtain rod! Brilliant! I definitely want to try this next year! Thanks Hip2Save!

    • Lina

      Oh nice! Sounds like this would work then. Thanks Kristy!

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