12 Edible Holiday Garlands You Can Make With Things in Your Home
Stringing up a cute DIY holiday garland is a great way to instantly infuse your place with Christmas cheer without a lot of work — our to-do lists are long enough already! Instead of making something out of the usual felt or construction paper, head to your kitchen for supplies for an even easier (and more delicious) take on the popular holiday decoration. That’s right, today we’re talking about *edible* garlands. From a strand of adorable gingerbread men to the classic popcorn + cranberries combo, any one of these 12 edible garlands will sweeten up your space just in time for Christmas.
1. Gingerbread Cookie Garland: Roll out your cookie dough a little thinner and bake it a few minutes longer than you would if you were making these just to snack on. Cover the baked cookies in royal icing and let them fully harden before hanging on a long piece of baker’s twine. When the holidays are over, store the garland in a sandwich bag and you’ll be able to use it again next year. (via Glorious Treats)
2. Gumdrop Garland: When it comes to candy, one rule definitely applies: If you can pierce it with a needle, then you can string it up as a garland. If you plan on doing this project with little ones, stick to candies that already have a hole in the center, like peach rings, Lifesavers and Twizzlers. (via Martha Stewart)
3. Gingerbread Letter Garland: A set of alphabet cookie cutters make this project super easy, but you could always try free-handing the letters with a pairing knife. Whichever method you choose, a Fa La La garland is a must. (via Hello, Wonderful)
4. Edible Christmas Lights Garland: This adorable strand of lights is put together with almond M&M’s and Mike and Ike’s. Heat the blade of your knife with a lighter for a few seconds to make cutting the candies easier (but be careful!). These would look so cute draped along the front of your gingerbread house. (via Hungry Happenings)
5. Gingerbread Men Garland: String up a dapper group of gingerbread men, complete with icing mustaches and suspenders. Use a straw to poke two holes in each one and bake until golden brown. Once the icing is set, thread a long ribbon through them all. All you have to do now is find a prime location for your new garland. (Honestly Yum)
6. Marshmallow Garland: Get the whole family involved and make this garland that will add just the right amount of whimsy to your holiday decor. Instead of grabbing plain thread for this project, use waxed dental floss to help keep the sticky marshmallow insides from gunking up your string. (via Scrumdilly-Do)
7. Jelly Bean Garland: Pick up a bag of colorful jelly beans and a needle + thread and get to work. Make one long garland and wind it around your tabletop tree since the jellybeans are the perfect size to mimic real lights. Or use small sections and tape them to the top of presents with festive washi tape for a delicious gift topper. Either way, #garlandsonfleek. (via Paint the Gown Red)
8. Santa Hat Garland: Track down a package of special edition Christmas Hershey kisses and pair them with mini marshmallows to make these super cute Santa hats. The best part about this garland is that you can totally still eat the chocolate kisses when it’s time to take it down. (via Small Fry)
9. Candy Cane Garland: Whip up this simple garland for Christmas and pull it out again for Valentine’s Day. Use two candy canes to form a heart shape and tie with decorative string. Thread a dozen finished hearts on a long ribbon and hang in your doorway. (via Flavor Pink)
10. Holiday Candy Garland: Brightly wrapped candy works best for this project. Use small pieces of floral wire to tie the candies together at each end. Make one with Jolly Ranchers and you can customize it by using only the red, clear and green ones, or use them all and string them up like colored Christmas lights. (via The Sweetest Occasion)
11. Popcorn + Cranberry Garland: While it might be a bit tedious and time consuming, this classic Christmas garland is the perfect activity to do with a group of friends. Set out big bowls of popcorn and cranberries and have everyone make their own garland to take home. Pop the popcorn a day or two in advance, since the staler it is, the easier it is to work with. Spray your completed garland with clear spray paint (twice!) and store in a sandwich bag to save it for next year. It’s the perfect excuse to have your fourth Christmas movie marathon. (via Legal Miss Sunshine)
12. Jelly Bean Pennant Garland: Colorful jelly beans and disposable pastry bags come together to make a garland so pretty, you’ll be searching for excuses to put it out long after Christmas is over. Go with multiple short garlands as opposed to one long one, or cut the bags to make smaller triangles, because the jelly beans can get heavy quick. (via Oh Happy Day)
Plan on making any of these edible garlands? Snap a pic and use the hashtag #iamcreative on Instagram so we can see what you come up with!