How much garland do you need?

How much garland do I need for a staircase?

Measure the length of the railing you're covering, then buy about 1.5 times that length so the garland can drape in swags between the posts instead of stretching tight and flat. The draping is what makes it look full. For a standard flight of about 16 feet of railing, that's roughly 24 feet, or three standard 9-foot sections. Always round up; garland looks better slightly overfull than stretched thin.

How much garland do I need for a mantel?

Take the width of the mantel and add roughly 12-18 inches for each end so the garland tails down the sides, which comes to about your mantel width plus 3 feet total. A typical 5-foot mantel wants around 8 feet of garland. If you want a heavier, more cascading look with longer tails, add more. One full 9-foot section covers most mantels with room to spare.

How much garland do I need to wrap a Christmas tree?

Plan on roughly 9 feet of garland (or ribbon) per foot of tree height to spiral-wrap it from top to bottom, so a 7-foot tree takes around 60-65 feet, and a 9-foot tree around 80. That's a lot, which is why many people use garland in shorter accent swoops rather than a full continuous spiral. Decide which look you want before you buy: full spiral wrap needs the larger amount.

How much garland do I need to wrap a porch column?

To spiral-wrap a post or column, budget about twice the post's height in garland, so an 8-foot column takes roughly 16 feet. The tighter the spiral (the closer the wraps), the more you'll use, so round up. Use outdoor-rated garland for anything exposed, and secure it well against wind.

Why do I need more garland than the length I'm covering?

Because garland should drape, not stretch. Pulled tight across a mantel or down a banister, garland looks sparse and flat; bought longer (about 1.5× for railings, with tails on mantels, twice the height for wrapped posts) it swags and cascades, which reads as full and intentional. The single most common garland mistake is buying the exact length you measured and ending up with a thin, taut run.

Should I buy fresh or artificial garland?

Fresh garland smells wonderful and looks unbeatable but dries out in a few weeks and is an annual cost; artificial garland is a one-time buy that lasts for years, comes pre-lit if you want, and won't shed. A popular middle path is a quality artificial base refreshed each year with a few fresh sprigs or a new bow. For which type to get by location (pre-lit vs. unlit, indoor vs. outdoor-rated), see our Christmas wreaths and garland buying guide.