Instead of 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. I have both the leaf pattern and a the French script paper for you to download for free. See links below.
Have you thought about how you are going to decorate this year? This garland is a fresh way and creative way to add some holiday style around your home.
When I think about how I am going to decorate each year, the biggest factor is that whatever I do, it has to be a bit old-fashioned. I prefer the vintage look – it brings back fond Christmas memories from my childhood.
I always pick out a color scheme each year. Last year I used lots of turquoise and pink. 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 glitter at the holidays and not just any glitter, but white that has opalescent tints.
I made 3 rows of leaves for the garland. Each is separate and held together under the greenery. Two rows with the French 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.
*** Look what a reader, Laurie-Jean made after reading my post. Don’t you love how she added her own style to the garland? It is so pretty.
How to Make a Paper Holly Leaf Christmas Garland
supplies 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 gift wrap – 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.
1. Print out .pdf’s – links below.
Print Holly Pattern.pdf onto a piece of card stock, cut out.
Print antique French script .pdf free printable to use for holly leaves
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.
Wallpaper, scrapbook paper, and sheet music work well.
2. 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.
***If you have a Silhouette digital cutting machine – make a cut file from the holly pattern printable.
3. 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.
4. Place cut leaves on a large piece of newspaper or cardboard.
5. 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.)
6. Optional: Fold each leaf horizontally to give it dimension before locking them together into the garland.
7. The leaves are easily locked together as shown in the photo.
8. The end knob on one goes through the slot in the next.
9. When hanging – cut the linking knobs off the piece of holly that is at the end on each side of the garland.
To make the greenery at each corner, 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.
How to Hang the Glittered Paper Holly Christmas Garland
I laid the 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. I used hot glue to attach the greenery and ornaments to the paper.
Style Options When Making the Glittered Paper Holly Christmas Garland
If you want to have your kids help make a garland, make it childlike and fun by using pom-poms for the berries.
After the leaves are linked up, simply glue a red pom-pom to one end of each leaf.
To see what the other bloggers taking part in Countdown to Christmas have created, click the links below.
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Sue Flynn says
I am trying to print script and template.I think I signed up
Mary Hargett says
Thank you for that holly garland tutorial! I think I love you! Lol.
Norma Rolader says
Oh my I love the holy french script garland what a cute way and to decorated beautifully Thank you
Karen says
What a brilliant project – was looking for something to decorate the window of my Charity’s shop and this will fit the bill. Easy to make so I can everyone involved making it.
Thank you so much for sharing this!!
Laurie-Jean says
Thank you so very much for sharing your creative works!! Picked up some wonderful wrapping paper this morning. Making garland this afternoon. Excited!! Thanks again!
Bonnie says
Thanks so much for the template and I have made some and really enjoyed every minute of it!
Thanks for your wiliness to share and not sell. I now have to figure our what and where to put them. A fun thing to have to worry about! Happy Holidays.
Sheryll & Critters. says
Oh thank you ever so much for the template and I just love the little cut out for locking the leaves together. Just brilliant.
In case you missed me….. grin….. My puter died and I was just given an old one that they had in storage for years (yippee for friends). It is an XP though and I might have problems again soon, but for now I am a happy camper. PC withdrawal is not fun y’all.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Sheryll – Sorry to hear that your computer died, but happy that you now have a new one old one to get back online with. I hope it holds up for a long time. XO
JaneEllen says
This is so incredible Diane. Love this and will be making this. My head is already ripping on what I can use to make the holly leaves. Great tutorial and thanks so very much for print outs also. Glad to find this early so I can get started on the Christmas holiday projects. Every year hubs asks me why I’m making new things again and don’t I have enuf to decorate with? Silly man, it’s the holidays, I have to make things. makes me feel alive so much more to be creating and feel so much more in holiday spirits.
You said you’ll be traveling for holidays, how exciting and fun. Hppe wherever you go will be wonderful for you.
It’s been a long time since I was on your blog. I remember when you were getting your daughter’s room ready or her apartment when she started college. Somehow, sadly, I was off your email list so didn’t get your posts anymore. I always enjoyed your blog and how you write your posts. I’d love to sign up for email posts again. I’ve been on blog land long enuf now to value certain bloggers and have my very favorites and yours was one of them. Your daughter must be in her 3rd. year of college now? How is she doing?
Altho I certainly didn’t need Fall decorations I made some anyway. Been making burlap banners with stenciled images. Making use of my stencils finally that I’ve accumulated from all over country, they’re coming in handy for lots of projects. Nice that stenciling has come back into vogue, style again.
Have a wonderful weekend Diane. Happy Fall
Holly says
I heart the Holly garland! Anything Holly for the Holly Days is good for me! Thanks for sharing Ü
Diane Henkler says
Hi Holly – I can understand why holly is a good thing for you. A pretty name to have all year long, but extra special for the holiday season.
Terry says
This garland is not only beautiful but a stroke of genius on how it links together! I may be trying this soon.
Kathi says
Thank you so much for this great idea! I have boxes and boxes of old music that belonged to my Dad. He was a wonderful piano player and I have been looking for a way to use the music since I cannot bear the thought of throwing it or giving it away. There are just too many memories in that music! I’m excited to make this garland using the sheet music. I may even make several to give to other family members who also cherish memories of Dad’s piano playing. Thanks again, Diane!
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says
Another gorgeous idea Diane – love the little bit of bling too!
Stacey says
I am absolutely going to make this. So pretty and thank you for your instructions and print out.
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
Hi Diane! WHat a lovely garland! I’ll be making this for sure! LOVE the little sparkle too. Thanks so much for your detailed, great instructions! BEAUTIFUL! Pinning and featuring your on my facebook page!!!
Diane Henkler says
Thanks Yvonne – Christmas is not Christmas without a little sparkle in the way of glitter, right? Thanks for sharing on your fb page. XO