Fresh greenery is one of my favorite decorating touches for the holidays. It’s a simple, natural way to bring a festive feel into the home. I usually use faux garland because it lasts longer and is less messy, but I like to add a bit of real greenery from our yard or the garden center for scent and texture. This year I’m planning to drape fresh cedar garland around the kitchen window.
I don’t enjoy collecting lots of holiday decorations, so high-quality faux garland is a smart investment for me. It can stay up from November through the winter, is versatile, and never goes out of style.
I hope these photos inspire your holiday decorating!
If you can’t get to a store, here are a couple of garland options I like:
This fresh olive leaf and myrtle garland
This preserved boxwood garland
Find more in my Christmas Decor Shop (I’ve rounded up many of my favorite pieces)
The kitchen greenery in the top photo from Southern Living really caught my eye—the draped cedar garland paired with preserved oranges on pink and green ribbons is playful and beautiful.
Displaying Christmas cards on a garland around a doorway is a cheerful, easy idea that turns mail into decor.
Last year we hung a faux garland over the living room/dining room doorway, and it looked great—simple and welcoming. We’ll do it again this season.
One year we hung a preserved boxwood garland over the guest room window. It was a simple touch that added seasonal charm without clutter.
One season we made a DIY boxwood wreath chandelier and hung it at the doorway. It was festive and welcoming—the perfect focal point for the porch.
I loved tying cedar garland to the stair banister with rope and ribbon; it felt warm and slightly rustic. We added ornaments to the front for extra sparkle.
We added ornaments to the front, too, which made the greenery feel more intentional and festive.
Find more stairway decorating inspiration for the holidays.
Our doodles, Jack and Lily, have always loved fresh greenery—they’ve been caught pulling it down more than once. I can’t stay mad at those sweet faces, though; the scent clearly draws them in.
Looking for Christmas decor ideas? I’ve gathered my favorite pieces and styling tips in a curated Christmas shop to make it easy to find beautiful, simple decor for your home.
Shop curated Christmas decor to make holiday decorating simple and lovely.
More Christmas inspiration:
Tips for how to hang garland, wreaths, and stockings without nails
Simple and beautiful Christmas decorating ideas
Blue-and-white holiday decorating inspirations
Effortless Christmas decorating ideas
25 ideas for Christmas decorating
15 charming holiday decorating ideas
A collection of DIY garlands
My favorite curated Christmas decor shop
Gift guide ideas for everyone