Make a Popcorn Garland for your Christmas Tree

There's something nostalgic about making a homemade popcorn garland. It's a fun and charming activity and a classic decor piece when you're hanging the greens and making your home festive and cheerful. I make at least one popcorn garland strand a year while watching either a classic or new Christmas movie. This is the perfect craft to work on by yourself with a cup of hot cocoa, or with a group of friends and family.

I love an old-fashioned Christmas tradition, and I'm even going to share my best trick for saving and storing these popcorn garlands so you don't have to make a full tree's worth every year you decorate.

Supplies

1. Needle- either traditional or plastic if kiddos are going to be helping.
2. Embroidery thread. You could also use floss or floral wire.
3. Popcorn- you can use microwave (try to avoid butter and salt) or make popcorn using kernals on the stovetop.
4. Optional- Shellac to seal/store. I've never used it but I know it helps to keep the structure of the popcorn at times.

Making Your Garland

1. Pop your popcorn and pour into a bowl. For a longer garland you'll probably use a bag or two...depending on how much snacking is happening while working. Which, no judgement here! Microwave popcorn is fine, just make sure to get plain popcorn. Letting your popcorn sit out for a few days will make it stale which can make it easier to string.
2. You can measure a length of thread out, or just work off the spool. It's always an option to tie together threads of garland or to use various lengths around the tree.
3. Cut off your length of thread, and add a knot to the end.
4. Thread your needle by looping the thread through the hook and tying a knot.

Stringing your Popcorn

1. Knot the end of the thread. One option you can use instead of thread is floral wire. I like the flexibility of thread but then you wouldn't need to use a needle.
2. To string your popcorn, push the needle through the end of your piece of popcorn and pull it to the end of the thread.
3. Repeat until the garland is your desired length.
4. A few pieces may break off here and there, and this can be a bit of a messy craft. I try to push the needle through the the middle avoiding the hard kernel.

Tips for Hanging Your Garland

• Add your garland to your tree by hooking the knotted end to a branch near the top and winding it around the entire tree, looping over branches to make waves.
• If you only have one garland and your tree is in a corner of the room, you can just drape it down the front of the tree too to get a similar look.
• Try adding it to a staircase banister or across your mantle. If you spray it with shellac or are using it year over year it is not an edible piece of decor, so keep it out of reach of small kiddos or animals.

Storing a Popcorn Garland

As fun as it can be to make your popcorn garland, it can get a bet tedious stringing it, especially if you have a large tree. Which means you want to hang onto it if possible instead of tossing it at the end of the season. You can store a popcorn garland by winding it around a piece of cardboard or newspaper, placing in a ziplock gallon bag and storing in the freezer. I've had some of my popcorn strands for 4+ years. It will hold it's shape and together so you can pull it out of the freezer the next holiday season and add it to your tree!

Some people do use shellac too to maintain and store their popcorn garland, but I prefer to keep it just as natural popcorn...especially with kiddos around in case it ever ends up in someone's mouth.

One note- you will lose some pieces of popcorn, it's inevitable. You can either slide the remaining pieces down the thread and cut/shorten the garland, or you can just leave the excess space.

Ideas

• This is a great girls night activity or family activity while you're watching a Christmas movie. Just keep in mind you'll probably need a few extra bags of popcorn because this will get eaten up!
• Microwave popcorn is fine, just get plain popcorn.
• Letting your popcorn sit out for a few days will make it stale which can make it easier to string.

FAQ