Create a Southern Farmhouse Holiday Garland

This year I am making a Southern Farmhouse Holiday Garland to coordinate with my existing Holiday decor.  We don’t encounter too many snow days here in the south so I will be using southern snow (ahem), cotton as my inspiration for this piece. I love to bring the outdoors in and nothing screams southern farmhouse style better then a bundle of white fluffy cotton stems!

Before I can start my DIY Holiday Crafts and decorating I must clean the house. Raising three energetic boys means that I am constantly cleaning up sticky, dirty surfaces. I don’t always want to use harsh chemicals in the home so I have started using Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar. It’s simply amazing and I love all of  the many versitale ways to clean with it. The Cleaning Vinegar is great for brightening the laundry or mopping the floors but lately I have been using it to clean the counters.

Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar is very mild and safe for the entire family. You can very easily make a spray bottle and keep it on hand for fast cleaning. When I am cleaning the entire home and getting ready for the holidays I make a bowl of solution. I simply pour 3/4 C Vinegar into a bowl with 3/4C water and lightly stir it together. I use a lint free rag to dip into the bowl which makes cleaning multiple surfaces a breeze!

Now that the house is clean I can get right down to the fun part; Holiday Decorating!! Making this soft snowy Southern Farmhouse Holiday Garland is quick and easy. I was able to complete it during nap time.

Here is what you need:
• one 6-8 ft garland of your choosing
• 3 stems of cotton
• hot glue gun
• wire cutters
• burlap ribbon
• 3 sprigs of cranberry pine cone bundles
• 10-15 medium red bells
• roll of twine
• ball of red yarn
• twist tie or green decor wire

 DIY Southern Farmhouse Holiday Garland Instructions.

Step 1: Fold the Garland in half and use the twist tie or green decor wire to hold the loose ends together. Cut three 4 inch pieces of twine and bind the two halfs together thereby creating one seamless piece.

Step 2: Break or cut the cotton stems into three or four pieces. Each stem is different so use your best judgment. Strategically place the stems in the middle of the garland and use twine to tie them it together. Don’t stress if it doesn’t look full, we will be adding more cotton later. Once they are tied, use a little hot glue to reinforce the stems to the Holiday Garland.

*Tip: You can find fresh cotton stems at an antique store for a few dollars.*

Step 3: Add the cranberry pine cone bundles by wrapping the wire around both pieces of garland and reinforce it with hot glue. Be sure to space them so that there are even pops of red throughout the Southern Farmhouse Holiday Garland.

Step 4: Make and glue three Holiday bows using the burlap ribbon. Get creative and fold the bows in any way that you like. You can also make them all the same size or place a variety of small bows throughout the garland. You can glue them in a symmetrical line or off center them. There is no “right” way of adding your own personal touch!

Step 5: Add more Snow!! Do you remember when I told you not to stress? Well now is the time to go a little crazy. Feel free to break off a few cotton balls and hot glue them down. Place them in places that need to be filled. You want your Southern Farmhouse Holiday Garland to pop with beautiful cotton blossoms from the field.

Step 6: Let’s add a few bells! Take the red string and tie three bells at a time. Once you have A small bundle of three, tie a knot and add three more. Repeat this process until your bundle is full to your liking. Use the string to tie the big bell bundle at the top of the Holiday Garland.

That’s it! Now that you have created your Southern Farmhouse Holiday Garland place it anywhere that you see fit in your home.

It will work great as a window centerpiece, on the fireplace mantle, hanging on the door or garnishing a sled.

Be creative and enjoy the holidays with a little southern charm. What’s your favorite holiday decor piece in your home?