Monday Make A - Yule (or Anytime) Garlands

* Yule Garlands or Anytime Garlands *
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Making garlands from fresh materials isn't as hard as it might seem. For making any garland, you will need to start with these basic instructions.

Basic Instructions:

You will need a length of heavy twine to use as a base. Cut the twine piece to the size you wish your garland to be. Make sure the twine is fairly heavy, so it is study enough to take the weight of added materials. Next you will need plant material of your choice. Hemlock, Boxwood, Cedar, Magnolia, and Eucalyptus are good choices. Cut the materials to lengths of five to six inches. Gather clusters of five to six pieces of material you have chosen, and lash them together with florist wire or light gauge wire from the hardware store. Create enough bundles to cover the length of twine, then begin to attach each bundle to the twine base, using more wire. Remember to overlap each clusters to cover twine base completely, to conceal the twine base, and any material stems, and wire that might show.

Hanging Garlands:

Bless your garland the manner of your tradition. It doesn't have to be a fancy drawn out ceremony, just something simple to place the properties you wish the garland to attract in place. My favorite way is to smudge each garland lightly with sage, while doing a chant to the Goddess, with my intention clear in the words. Now you can hang your garland in location of your choice inside or outside. Use large nails or cup hooks on corners or at intervals on door frames, columns, mantles, window frames, and porch railings. Use wire to secure the garland to the nails or hooks. Secure the garland where needed. Tip... On columns, and out door garlands use extra wire and nails if needed, you'll be glad you did if the wind kicks up... grin, trust me on this one. If placing holes in wood work bothers you, remember the holes can always be filled with wood putty after you take the garland down after the season. Or better yet make other seasonal garlands and use the nail or hooks all year round.

Embellish Your Garland:

Add little Yule ornaments, small flowers pots, silk flowers, and floral picks, ribbon, decorator garlands (star and moons, and other shapes can be found at most stores that carry holiday decorations) buds, nuts, bitter sweet and other natural materials, almost anything you can think of can be used to decorate the garlands.

NOTE* Never use bittersweet where small children can reach it, it is poison, and could really harm your child if they eat the bitter sweet. For inside garlands try using different herbs bundles attached at regular intervals along the garland for embellishment. Dried flowers work well also.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.