Christmas Paper Garland – Holly Leaves
Instead of buying a garland of fresh evergreen holly to decorate your home for the holiday season or a festive party, try this Christmas craft project that can be hung on a Christmas tree, over a cabinet, fireplace mantel or door frame. It’s simple to make with paper holly leaves.
In this post you will find links to both the free printable leaf pattern and a pretty French script paper for you to download to make this DIY Christmas garland. Links are later down in the post.
Instead of using a Christmas garland of greenery for my kitchen this year I made a garland out of French script paper that I cut into the shape of holly leaves. It is a take on paper chain garlands where each leaf is linked together without the need of tape or glue.
When I think about how I am going to decorate my home for Christmas each year, the biggest factor is that whatever I do, I like to add a few old-fashioned or vintage look for the holidays – it brings back fond Christmas memories from my childhood.
I always pick out a color scheme each year. This year I am going to use black, white, and my favorite color of green.
Holly is a universally appealing symbol of the holidays, but I gave it a vintage twist. Since I don’t use red in my decor, I chose to make a holly garland out of vintage looking paper that I made in Photoshop and then added lots of glitter.
l love using glitter for holiday decorations and not just any glitter, but white that has opalescent tints.
I made 3 rows of leaves for the garland. Each row is separate and held together under the greenery where the garland attaches to the cabinet.
Two rows with the pretty handwritten French script antique paper – one with and one without glitter. I cut the 3rd row of leaves from book pages.
Once printed and cut out, the holly leaves link together – no tape or staples needed. When the holidays are over, the garland can be quickly taken apart and stored to use for another year.
And don’t think that the way I made this is the only way to make it.
Look what reader, Laurie-Jean made after reading my post. Don’t you love how she added her own style to make her garland? It is so pretty.
How to Make a Paper Holly Leaf Christmas Garland
supplies & materials needed:
- .pdf holly pattern printed on card stock to use as a cutting template
- paper –you can use book pages, scrapbook paper, maps, wall paper, or Christmas wrapping paper – card stock does not work well – it is too rigid
- marker
- scissors
- greenery – I clipped a few cedar branches from my yard
- florist wire
- 6 ball style ornaments
- 2 small pine cones
- wire cutters
- cup hooks, tape, or a paper clips (hanging trick below)
- Optional:
- mini pom-pom
- spray glue
- white glue
- glitter
The antique French script printable and holly template can be adapted to any size using your computer printer.
Time needed: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Tutorial: How to Make a Christmas Garland of Paper Holly Leaves
- Print Out the Holly Leaf Pattern
Print Holly Pattern.pdf onto a piece of card stock, cut out.
- Print French Script Paper
If using, print out a few copies of the paper depending on how long your garland will be.
Print antique French script .pdf free printable to use for holly leaves.
- Trace Leaf Pattern
Once you get the pattern printed on card stock, use it to trace the shape onto paper. The card stock is only for the holly template.
I used a book page, but wallpaper, scrapbook paper, and sheet music all work well.
- Cut Out the Holly Leaves
To speed the cutting-out process: Layer 5-8 sheets of paper on top of each other with traced image on top. Cut the holly leaf shape through all layers.
Make sure to include the cutout in the center of the pattern used to link each piece into a garland. I outlined my template to make it easy to see the edges when I traced around it.
Helpful Tip: If you have a Silhouette or Cricut digital cutting machine – make a cut file from the holly pattern printable.
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To cut out notch, fold all the layers in half horizontally. Use small scissors to cut out notch. You can also do each one separately. - Add Glitter
To add glitter, place cut leaves on a large piece of newspaper or cardboard.
Spray – spray glue over all leaves and sprinkle glitter over the leaves – shake off excess glitter. (To save excess glitter, fold newspaper and use it to funnel the excess glitter back into jar.)
- Fold The Leaves
Fold each leaf horizontally to give it dimension before locking them together into the garland.
The end knob on one leaf goes through the slot in the next. - Attach the Leaves Together
The leaves are easily locked together as shown in the photo.
When hanging – cut the linking knobs off the piece of holly that is at the end on each side of the garland. - Use Florist Wire To Make Greenery Sprigs
I went to my yard and clipped a few pieces from a cedar tree.
I used florist wire to make two bundles and then I wired the ornaments around the center. - Hang on Cabinet or Mantel
For each corner where you attach the garland to a cabinet or mantel. See instructions below.
How to Hang the Glittered Paper Holly Christmas Garland
To hang the DIY garland, I laid 3 rows of holly leaves together and twisted florist wire in between the leaves where the garland dips and is covered with greenery.
I pushed the excess wire behind the cabinet door to secure. I used a few pieces of tape for extra holding power and hot glue to attach the greenery and ornaments to the paper.
Styling Options When Making the Paper Holly Garland
If you want to have your kids help make a garland, make it childlike and fun by using pom poms, pearls, buttons or red beads for the holly berries.
After the leaves are linked up, simply glue a red pom-pom to one end of each leaf.
Are you ready to change up your Christmas decorating with some new projects this year? This DIY project of paper holly leaves is a fresh and creative way to add some holiday style around your home.
More Christmas Decorating With Paper Craft Ideas You May Like
- Semi-Handmade Paper Christmas Ornaments
- How to Make Paper Snowflakes Into Ornaments Using Paper Doilies
- Christmas Tree Napkin Ring DIY
- Handmade Christmas Star Ornament With Surprise Inside
- A New Look For Old Christmas Ball Ornaments
- How to Make Paper Snowflakes Into a Window Decoration
- How to Make a Christmas Tree Paper Chain
- Printable Paper Banner Dinner Plate Place Card
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