I’m all about simple holiday décor and today I’m sharing this easy DIY eucalyptus garland. I love the smell of fresh eucalyptus, and you can find it just about everywhere this time of year. You only need a handful of materials to make this holiday garland, and once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make your own.
I’m pretty terrible at keeping flowers alive for a prolonged period of time. No matter how good my intentions are, I always seem to forget to change the water or put them in the wrong spot. Eucalyptus isn’t as finicky, and I feel like it lasts a relatively long time, or at least most of the holiday season.
Eucalyptus is also one of those plants that can work as home décor for both Thanksgiving and Christmas time. Although there are plenty of faux eucalyptus garlands out there, there’s really nothing like the real thing and fresh greenery in your home.
You can place your eucalyptus draped over a mirror, over the mantle, or even as a table runner to complete a holiday tablescape.
DIY EUCALYPTUS GARLAND: How to Make a Eucalyptus Garland Step By Step
During the holiday season, it’s pretty easy to find seeded eucalyptus. There are lots of different varieties, but I prefer the seeded kind because the eucalyptus leaves have these green, almost berry-like things on them. For some reason, that feels very holiday to me. You can pick it up at most local grocery stores. I usually go to Trader Joe’s because I find it’s more affordable there. All the other materials you can find online or at a craft store.
I used a little over one bunch of eucalyptus for my DIY eucalyptus garland, then added the remainder to a bouquet. If you want to make your garland look more plentiful, then you may want to pick up two bunches.
Materials You’ll Need
- Fresh-seeded eucalyptus (the kind that looks like it has little green “berries”)
- Floral shears or scissors (I have these white shears and really like them)
- String of any kind (I like twine because it feels organic and just rustic enough)
- Floral wire
- Wire cutters
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1:
Start by spreading out each eucalyptus branch. Using your floral shears or scissors, start cutting off mini eucalyptus stems from the longer, big branch. These smaller branches are what you’ll string together. You can also cut off any weird bent branches or crazy stragglers.
Step 2:
Lay your string across one of your eucalyptus branches so it is the entire length of the branch. Leave a little bit of extra string at one end so you have some leeway for hanging your DIY eucalyptus garland. Do not cut the string; leave it on the spool.
Step 3:
Take the floral wire and wrap it around the branch and the string, so that the string is secured. As you get about 2/3 done wrapping one branch in wire, layer in another branch to make your garland longer. Repeat aligning the string and wrapping the wire. Basically, you want the branches to overlap so there’s no empty space with the leaves and the garland looks as continuous as possible.
This may take a little time to get used to, but once you’re in the groove of wrapping the wire around your branch/string combo then it’s a relatively quick project!
Step 4:
Once you’ve achieved the length you want for your DIY eucalyptus garland, cut the wire with your wire cutters, and then your string. You can make your eucalyptus garland as long or as short as you need for your decorating purposes
If you end up trying this DIY eucalyptus garland, let me know how it goes!
One Response
This is too cute and I love eucalyptus! Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday too. It’s everything Christmas is without the stress of gifts. I want to try making this garland!
xoxo,
Christine
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