I know it's not really original but I thought I would share how I fancied up my $2 garland from Walmart for free. First off the garland was 9 feet long. I though it was long enough but when I got it home discovered the ledge in our front room is more like 10 or 11 feet long. Luckily I already had filler I planned to use around the garland (the bells). Out came my wire cutters and I snipped the garland into 3 separate pieces so I could spread it out. I wanted to add some embellishment to it. Conveniently, I had leftover pine cones from our bird feeder activity so I added these on.
Wash and bake your pine cones on aluminum foiled cookie sheet prior to using for decoration. I washed mine in hot water and then baked them at 250 degrees for about 30 minutes. They didn't have sap on them to worry about thank goodness.
Next using fishing line or possibly jewelry string (I used fishing line), tie it around your pine cone first wiggling it into the center to get a tight hold. Secure this with a square knot leaving a few inches on both sides of the knot.
Then attach the secured pine cone to your garland with the excess line. I wrapped mine around the metal center but you would place them on stems of the pine also. Make sure to tie a couple square knots so it doesn't come lose. Trim off excess line.
Somewhat close up of the pine cone attached. The larger pine cones were also found (last year)...these required more washing and baking than the smaller ones. Also, I promise my wall isn't so distastefully green as it looks, although I've been dying to paint it since we moved in a year ago.
Last of all, love yourself for saving money this season...Merry Christmas!
