Felt Ball Garland for the Christmas Tree: How to Hang, Style and Make One

Most tree garlands are tinsel or plastic beads. They shine, but they also shed, tangle, and look tired after a few seasons. Wool is different. It has a soft, matte surface that catches the glow of tree lights without glare. In addition, felt is light. A long strand sits on the branches without bending them down, so it works even on a small or sparse tree. Because the balls are dense and round, they also keep their shape year after year. Finally, a garland is the easiest way to make a tree look finished. One continuous line of color connects the lights, the ornaments, and the topper. As a result, even a simple tree looks planned.

The answer depends on the height of your tree and how full you want the look. As a rough guide, a generous spiral needs a garland four to five times the height of the tree. A lighter look with fewer turns needs about two to three times the height. For example, a six-foot tree with a full spiral takes around 25 to 30 feet, which is three of our nine-foot garlands. A three-foot tabletop tree usually needs just one. If you are unsure, it is better to buy one strand too many. Therefore, any spare garland can go on the mantel, along a shelf, or around a doorway, so nothing goes to waste.

First, put the lights on the tree. The garland goes on next, and the ornaments go on last, so nothing gets trapped under the strand. The spiral. Start at the top and wind the garland down and around the tree in an even diagonal. This is the classic look, and it suits most trees. Swags. Let the garland dip between branches in loose curves, tucking it into a branch every so often. Swags look relaxed and work well with a natural, Scandinavian-style tree. Vertical drops. Hang several shorter lengths straight down from the top to the bottom, like ribbons. This modern look uses less garland. However, it shows best on a slim tree.

A garland looks even better when the tree repeats its colors. The easiest way is to hang single felt balls as small ornaments. For example, thread a 3cm ball onto twine, knot it underneath, and tie a hanging loop. Then pick a color plan. For a classic tree, combine a multicolor garland with red and white ball ornaments. For a calmer tree, choose ornaments in two or three colors taken from the garland. Also, think about the topper and the tree skirt. A wool garland pairs naturally with wood, linen, and paper. Therefore, a paper star or a simple wooden topper finishes the look better than a shiny plastic one.

If you enjoy crafting, a homemade felt ball garland is a relaxing evening project. You need wool felt balls, a long needle with a large eye, and strong cotton or waxed cord. First, decide on spacing. Balls strung side by side make a full, rope-like garland. For example, a nine-foot strand of 2cm balls set side by side takes roughly 130 to 140 balls. Spaced a few centimetres apart, the same length needs about 50 to 60. Next, thread the needle and push it straight through the centre of each ball. Wool felt is dense, so a thimble or small pliers help. Finally, tie a knot on either side of each ball if you want them to stay spaced, and leave a long tail at each end for hanging.

Garlands tangle easily, so pack them with care. Wind each strand loosely around a piece of stiff card or an empty paper towel tube before you put it away. Then store it in a closed box in a cool, dry place. Moths are the main risk to wool. Therefore, add a cedar block or a sachet of dried lavender to the box. If a garland picks up dust, brush it gently or dab it with a damp cloth. Do not machine wash it, because heat and movement can shrink the felt. With that small amount of care, the same garland can come back every December.