We researched the best holiday garlands available online, evaluating quality, length, embellishments, and value. Our favorite, the Frontgate Christmas Cheer Garland, is extra-long, realistically full, and accented with pinecones, berries, and lights. Here are the best holiday garlands. For a festive, bright, and durable Christmas garland you’ll use season after season, we recommend Frontgate’s 12-foot Christmas Cheer Garland. The combination of faux Scotch pine (the national tree of Scotland), pistol pine, and fir branches—all made using molds of live branches and needles—looks full and lush. Pinecones, bright red berries, and warm white lights add additional flair to this stunning holiday decoration. The garland is suitable for indoor or covered outdoor use, so you can drape it across the fireplace mantel, run it along a staircase railing, or hang it over the front door. You can even add lights, bows, or other accents to increase the holiday aesthetic. Complete the look with the matching wreath and chair back swag (both sold separately). The greenery feels sturdy and meant to last for years to come. Just hang on to the shipping box to use for storage and fluff the garland to restore its shape when it’s time to decorate. One drawback is that the lights may not last as long as the life of the garland. Price at time of publish: $279 It comes with 50 warm, battery-powered lights which can either be left on or adjusted so they flash on and off. This budget-friendly option is beautiful, durable, and ideal for a wide range of decorating situations. Price at time of publish: $38 This product features Balsam Hill’s True Needle technology for unmatched realism in both look and feel. Though this garland is on the shorter side, it features “end-to-end” plugs so you can easily attach multiple garlands together. Price at time of publish: $129 This festive garland comes with 50 lights and can be used indoors and outdoors (in covered areas). It’s quite large and plush and looks quite authentic as well. Be careful putting it up, though, since the glittery berries are a bit fragile. You can also purchase the matching wreath for a cohesive holiday spread. Price at time of publish: $159 The dimensions of this garland are 9 feet x 12 inches, and it has long-lasting LED lights that illuminate the rich greenery (the needles are made from PVC, which is a synthetic plastic that is soft and flexible). No matter where you drape this accessory, the rich colors and shiny ornaments are sure to impress guests. Price at time of publish: $77 The 6-foot garland comes wrapped with 70 lights which you can plug into a standard outlet or extension cord (the included cord is 36 inches long). It’s important to note that the branches will need to be fluffed and adjusted when the garland arrives for a more voluminous look. You can also add your own decorations in addition to the lights—keep it seasonal with reindeer or ornaments, or highlight other celebrations with pumpkins and other motifs. Price at time of publish: $80 Because it is made from plastic and doesn’t have delicate accessories hanging on the “branches,” it can handle more wear and tear than other options. If 100 feet seems excessively long, just use scissors to cut the garland and save the scraps for a crafting project with the little ones. Price at time of publish: $21 The simplicity of the natural elements can easily be dressed up or left more minimal, depending on your personal preference. Before buying, it’s important to note that this garland is about 6 feet long, which is shorter than other options on this list, and is best for indoor use. However, the manufacturer says that the garland can be displayed outdoors as long as it’s protected from wet weather and humidity—but it may not last as long. Also, keep in mind that dried garlands will shed when being handled or transported, so expect a little fallout from this one. Price at time of publish: $89 After hours of coziness by the fire, you won’t have to worry about forgetting to turn the lights on your garland off or the lights burning out thanks to its 6-hour auto time feature. The battery-powered garland also ensures no tangled chords can be seen—only your gorgeous winter mantle-scape. It’s also available as a set of two for extra-long mantles or railings. Price at time of publish: $45 Each 9-foot garland boasts 100 white lights that will continue to burn brightly even if individual bulbs blow out, although it also comes with extra bulbs and fuses to help extend the lifespan of the lights. The flocked pinecones lend a rustic touch to this piece, so traditional pine or evergreen wreaths will pair well with this decoration. Price at time of publish: $63 Price at time of publish: $17 The 9-foot garland is recommended for indoor or covered outdoor use, and the lights operate on a timer for worry-free lighting. Wrap around your railings, windows, or mantel for a more whimsical option this winter. Price at time of publish: $60 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $34 The green garland has a classic look—for even more festivity, you can add bows, beads, and other decorative elements to the garland. While this pick doesn’t come with lights, it’s quite simple to drape a strand (or two) of tiny white lights around the length of the garland. It’s made from durable flame-retardant materials with a bendable wire and metal hooks for easy shaping and hanging. Price at time of publish: $58
Quality
As much as we appreciate faux garland, you don’t want it to look faux, especially from far away. Select one that’s as realistic as possible, with properly-sized greenery. The most popular varieties of faux greenery are pine evergreen, cypress, boxwood, eucalyptus, short-needle evergreen, and juniper. Fluff out any flattened branches, and store them carefully so they’re not crushed between holiday seasons.
Lights
While a pre-lit garland is ultra-convenient, once the lights inevitably fry, your use for the garland may be over, too. Do you want a pre-lit garland, or would you rather decorate with your own ornaments or lights? That’s up to you, but it’s something to consider.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays. She’s also covered similar topics in other roles, including toy reviews, product roundups, expert-focused articles, and more.
