When it comes down to getting your Christmas decorations up fast and easy I always have lots of garland ties available to use.
What is a garland tie? They are shore little pieces of garland used to tie Christmas garlands on staircase banisters, lights, and more. The larger ones in the photo above are called Garland Ties. You can find these in the ornament aisle at most craft stores. The smaller ones are sold where the miniature Christmas Village items are sold. Their packaging only says “Canadian Pine”.
You can buy them online here: Christmas Garland Ties
When it comes to decorating my house for the holidays, I prefer to embellish what is already in each room, instead of removing it to place “Christmas-only type” decorations. Garland ties allow me to simply embellish items for the holidays instantly…and for the cost of only a few dollars.
Here are a few ways I will be using them this year.
No. 1 Gift Wrap
Twist two ties together to make it long enough to wrap around a gift box. Twist the excess to secure. Cut ends with wire cutters or fan out to look like leaves. Wire on a trio of jingle bells and a name tag for a simple but festive holiday wrap. I used 6 ties for this package and used the excess to make idea No. 2 below.
No. 2 Invisible Tree Ornament Hooks
Cut the ties into 3-1/2″ sections to make invisible ornament hooks. Simply bend each into the standard ornament hook shape.
Twist one end on the ornament…
…and the other end over a tree branch. No unsightly wire showing :-)
No. 3 Table Setting
Tie and twist the ends of one around a place setting of silverware. I snipped off berries from an old wreath and hot glued them to the center of the twisted tie.
No. 4 Holiday Candle
This is my favorite way I have found to use the ties so far as Christmas decorations. I wrapped one around a glass candleholder and twisted the ends to secure. I snipped the excess off with wire cutters. I used florist wire to attach the silver ornaments.
No. 5 Make a Gift Jar Purse Using a Mason Jar
Tie around a glittered Mason jar to create a cute way to give your girlfriends a gift this year. Click here for the tutorial on how to make it: Mason Jar Gift Bag Purse
No. 6 Tie Garlands to a Banister
This was what the ties were made to do. They work perfectly to tie a garland onto a stairway banister.
Check out another way to creatively use Garland ties on a staircase: Christmas Staircase Decorating on a Dime
These inexpensive sticks of fake greenery can be repurposed to instantly embellish just about anything… can you think of more ways to use them around your home for the holiday season?
Want to see more Christmas decorating ideas: You can see my my last two Countdown posts here: Paper Holly Garland and Christmas Decorating for Lamps
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To see what the other bloggers taking part in Countdown to Christmas have created this week, click the links below.
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Lily Pad Cottage |
Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle says
11/28/2014 at 7:46 pmLOVE these ideas! Just pinned! Merry Christmas! Melissa
Theresa says
11/06/2014 at 11:59 amJust found you on pinterest I love you idea for decorating the front porch lights. The wind here is terrible and I will try this . A wreath on the door won’t stay
Lisa says
11/02/2014 at 10:36 pmHi Diane,
I am thinking about buying some dill essential oil after reading about your sugar addiction. I too struggle with this and I’m wondering how you are doing and is the dill oil still working? Are you loosing weight from using it? I hope you don’t mind my questions, but would like to know how things are going for you before I purchase some. How long have you been using the oil? Thanks so much for your time!
Diane Henkler says
11/03/2014 at 8:08 amHi Lisa –
I have been using the oil since May and am amazed at how it works. In Sept, I stopped using it to see if I would get the cravings back. It took about a week and then I noticed the cravings slowly crept back. I started applying the dill oil again every morning and am happy to say that they cravings are gone agin. It did not happen overnight like it did when I first started. The key I have found is to use it everyday for a month and then you can go every other day or every 2-3 days between applying it to your wrists. I lost 8 lbs. The oil seems to only remove cravings from sweets, not food in general so if you want to lose weight you still need to lower your caloric intake. I think I lost the 8 lbs since I was eating so much sugar laden foods and then stopped pretty much cold turkey. I feel better, my skin looks better. Using the dill is a huge win for me.
Lisa says
11/03/2014 at 11:11 amThank you for your quick reply! I am going to give the dill oil a try. Thanks for sharing what is working for you. I love your blog!
Henniie says
11/02/2014 at 12:27 pmWow, amazing!
Sheryll & Critters. says
11/01/2014 at 2:18 pmOh how I love you Diane! Never a wasted visit to your blog…… ever!
Diane Henkler says
11/03/2014 at 8:16 amThanks Sheryll – you are the best XO
Christina Rodriguez says
10/31/2014 at 12:57 pmReally good ideas for these little garland ties. My favorite is the ornament hooks.
Kelly @thelilypadcottage says
10/31/2014 at 9:50 amI just grabbed a bag of these, such great ideas!!
Diane Henkler says
11/03/2014 at 8:30 amThanks Kelly – They come in pretty handy this time of year. I just bought 2 more packs – good to have in my toolbox.
Dianne says
10/31/2014 at 9:43 amI like to read other home decorating sites as well as yours, but yours is the very best of all. You always explain in detail how you do a project. And the website appearance is very classy. Thank you.
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says
10/31/2014 at 9:35 amI want to roam the aisles of the craft store with you so some of your creativity will rub off on me! Who would have thought!!
Ashley @ Cherished Bliss says
10/31/2014 at 9:31 amNot sure where I have been, but I didn’t know these existed, and I NEED them! One year I even cut a piece off of some garland so I could use it. This is an adorable idea! I love it! Thanks for sharing!! Pinning!
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
10/31/2014 at 9:25 amDiane, these are brilliant! Such an easy idea that will make Christmas preparation a whole lot easier! LOVE the ties with the flatware!!!
Linda says
10/31/2014 at 9:17 amGreat ideas! To never have to mess with those funky ornament hooks again…wonderful!