Garlands do more for a Christmas room than almost any other decoration. A single strand covers a mantel, winds a banister, frames a doorway, or softens a window, and it gives you a base to hang lights, ornaments, and ribbon on. They work for real trees and artificial ones, and they suit small apartments as easily as large houses. Whether you want the scent of fresh cedar or the reliability of a wired faux strand, this is the piece to start with.
Decide between fresh and artificial first: real greenery smells wonderful but dries out indoors within weeks, while faux strands last for years and can be shaped. Look for a wired spine if you plan to wrap it around a banister, and check for an outdoor rating if it will hang on a porch. Measure your run and add extra for draping. Keep fresh garlands away from heat sources and dust artificial ones with a dry cloth before storage.
