About Garland

From crepe paper to chili peppers, garland can be made of a wide variety of materials and grace just about any place. It's also incredibly easy to make. With durable thread and a needle, different materials can be strung together and hung around the home, garden or catering hall. The oldest garland ever discovered dates back 3,000 years. It was found in an Egyptian tomb, but garland is still used today in a number of creative ways.

Significance

One of the original uses of garland was to honor someone for a notable achievement. Laurel was one of the main ingredients in this type of garland, which is how the phrase "rest on one's laurels" came about, warning folks not to sit back and relax after doing a notable thing. Garlands were also used to bedeck the heads of kings or other royalty, but the main function that was passed down through the ages is its use as a decorative adornment.

Misconceptions

Some may view garland as a holiday decoration, but it really stretches much farther than that. Garland can be used for decoration at parties, ceremonies, outdoor spaces, and even inside to enhance just about any room. Bedroom garland could feature a row of fabric suns, stars or moons. Kitchen garland could be created out of utensils; recreation room garland would work well created out of poker chips, playing cards or dice.

Types

The most popular garland is the stuff folks see hung around doorways, banisters or other areas for the holidays. Traditional holiday garland is most often made of pine boughs or pieces, often adorned with holly, pine cones or other green and red pieces. Garland used at weddings is most often in white, often containing tulle, lace or another wispy fabric intertwined with lilies or other decorative flowers. Garland that is not specifically meant for a particular event or season can be created with just about anything. Garland of any type can be wrapped with lights, or strings of fake gems for some extra glitter.

Features

Garland may be made out of a variety of materials, but the standard design remains the same. The decorative accessory usually comes in long strands that can be draped, placed or wound around any place that needs a little pizazz. Garland can feature plastic butterflies, silk flowers, fabric birds, or other small animals. It could have bones, baubles, popcorn, cranberries, shells, rocks with holes through the center, wood chunks, beads, paper, or even small glass pieces. Colors and materials are pretty much unlimited.

Benefits

Garland affords an inexpensive and easy way to add some color, texture and style to existing rooms. Garland can usually be installed by placing a series of small hooks or nails around the perimeter of the room or other designated area. It is usually lightweight and drapes well. It's also a wonderful way to re-use many items that may otherwise be thrown away. Old fabric and clothing can be fashioned into garland, as can a host of recyclables, ranging from small, decorative boxes to beer cans.