This DIY Popcorn Garland is the perfect old fashioned decor for your Christmas tree! A simple seasonal decor project that uses real popcorn and can be used on indoor or outdoor trees.
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Nothing says "Old Fashioned Christmas" like a charming, homemade string of popcorn garland adorning your tree. This classic element of Christmas decor is simple, yet communicates a clear love of those classic Christmas traditions. In recent years, craft stores have even started selling artificial popcorn garlands!
While making your own DIY real popcorn garland is very simple, it isn't exactly quick. This is one of those projects you have to dedicate a bit of time to working on, and so it makes a great handiwork project for working while you're watching a movie with the family, or listening to one of your favorite podcasts and sipping a cup of tea.
However you entertain yourself while stringing your popcorn, it's a fun and old fashioned activity to show your kids and complete as a family. Even little ones can help pass you popcorn (and eat a bit themselves), and some younger kids can even use a blunt needle to string the popcorn.
Supplies Needed
Popcorn kernels: Any kind that you have on hand will do, even old kernels will do well for this recipe, so long as they pop.
Air popper: In order to make the popcorn last for a longer period of time, we need to make our popcorn without oil. The easiest way to to do this is with an air popper, but you can also use a paper bag in a microwave, a microwave air popper, or this stovetop method using water.
Thread: Any sturdy thread will do. You want it to be a cream or white color, as this blends in best with the popcorn. I've used black before and it sticks out like a sore thumb. Using coated dental floss makes for easy stringing, but Gutterman is my go-to when it comes to thread.
Needle: A slightly blunt needle works best for making popcorn garland, since it will hurt less when you accidently poke yourself. You can use any needle to have on hand, though.
Threader: If you have trouble threading your needle, a needle threader can come in handy. I bought a few for working on embroidery, and now I use them all the time!
How to Make Popcorn Garland for Your Christmas Tree
Add ¼ cup of popcorn kernels to your air popper, and place a bowl under the shoot where the popcorn comes out.
Repeat in batches until you have a large bowl full of popcorn. For the best results, do this the day before so you have stale popcorn to work with. This isn't completely necessary, but it does make the process a bit easier!
Use a needle threader to pull thread or dental floss through the eye of a sewing needle.
Since we do not want out thread getting tangled, we are going to pull through just a small amount and tie a tiny knot about 4 inches down from the needle. You will gently coax each popcorn kernel over this knot, and move it down towards the spool.
We are threading leaving the spool of thread attached, and pushing the threaded popcorn kernels down as we go. This means we don't have to measure how long we want the garland to be, and then deal with many feet of loose string as we go. By leaving the spool attached, we can go as long as we want to, so long as we scooch the popcorn down every so often.
Pierce the center of each popped popcorn kernel with your sewing needle, and go through to the other side. Pull the thread through, and guide the popcorn down over the fine knot you have tied.
Repeat, threading one at a time, and continuing until the popcorn garland is as long as you need to be. This is not a quick and easy DIY, so put on a movie or a few episodes of your favorite show (Gardener's World for me, thanks!) as you work through your popcorn garland.
Finishing
Once your garland is as long as you'd like, cut the thread or dental floss and tie a knot in the bottom. Tie the string in the same spot, several times, creating a large knot that the popcorn cannot slip over.
Finally, go ahead and string your popcorn garland outside, or inside on your family Christmas tree! It can also make an attractive mantel decoration, or for weaving into wreath or bough decor.
Variations
Popcorn Cranberry Orange Garland: For every 3 popped kernels strung, string a cranberry, dried orange slice, another cranberry, and then repeat the pattern.
Popcorn Cranberry Garland: String one cranberry for every 2-3 popped kernels strung. Repeat the pattern for the desired length of the garland.
FAQ
Popcorn garland will last for a very long time when used indoors. When an interior Christmas tree is decorated with popcorn garland, it should last throughout the holiday season, and long past the time you would typically take your tree down. On an exterior tree, it may only last a short period of time due to birds, rain, and snow.
Yes, popcorn garland can attract bugs. All natural elements (including pine boughs, wreaths, etc) can attract bugs, so it helps to be aware of that. To prevent or ward off mice and certain insects, a few drops of peppermint essential oil around the tree can help greatly!
If you want your popcorn garland to last for a VERY long time, spray it with two applications of shellac, waiting for each coat to dry before adding the next.
Birds and many kinds of wildlife LOVE popcorn, both popped and in kernel form. If you like to keep your woodland critters fed throughout the winter months, a few strands of popcorn garland on your outdoor trees might be a great way to do that.
The History of Popcorn Garland
Popcorn garland has been used on Christmas trees as far back as 1842. You may think that it should extend as far back as the Christmas tree itself, but since corn is a relatively new crop first found in the Americas, it makes sense that popcorn garland makes an appearance right around the time that American's actually started adopting the German tradition of decorating Christmas trees.
If you're interested in the history of popcorn garland, check out these articles for more information:
- 7 Fun Facts about Popcorn Garland - Parade
- Advent Botany: Popcorn Tree Decorations - Culham Research Group
- The History of Stringing Popcorn - Yahoo Life
More Christmas Season Favorites:
How to Make a Popcorn Garland
If you're looking for an old fashioned touch to your Christmas this year, try making your very own DIY Popcorn Garland for the Christmas tree!
Materials
- Popcorn kernels
- Thread or dental floss
Tools
- Air popper
- Blunt tipped needle
Instructions
- Add ¼ cup of popcorn kernels to your air popper, and place a bowl under the shoot where the popcorn comes out.
- Repeat in batches until you have a large bowl full of popcorn. For the best results, do this the day before so you have stale popcorn to work with. This isn't completely necessary, but it does make the process a bit easier!
- Use a needle threader to pull thread or dental floss through the eye of a sewing needle. Since we do not want out thread getting tangled, we are going to pull through just a small amount and tie a tiny knot about 4 inches down from the needle. You will gently coax each popcorn kernel over this knot, and move it down towards the spool.
- We are threading leaving the spool of thread attached, and pushing the threaded popcorn kernels down as we go. This means we don't have to measure how long we want the garland to be, and then deal with many feet of loose string as we go. By leaving the spool attached, we can go as long as we want to, so long as we scooch the popcorn down every so often.
- Pierce the center of each popped popcorn kernel with your sewing needle, and go through to the other side. Pull the thread through, and guide the popcorn down over the fine knot you have tied.
- Repeat, threading one at a time, and continuing until the popcorn garland is as long as you need to be. This is not a quick and easy DIY, so put on a movie or a few episodes of your favorite show (Gardener's World for me, thanks!) as you work through your popcorn garland.
Notes
Popcorn: Using day old popcorn makes this an easier task, so it is recommended, but not totally necessary.
Air Popper: If you don't have an air popper, you can use any oil-free method for preparing your popcorn.
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