Super Easy Holly Berry Garland

Closeup of Holly Berry Ribbon Garland

I was not in the mood to make holiday pins or napkin holders. But I wanted to do right by the big bag of holly berries my neighbor bequeathed me when she retired from crafting. Finally, recently, I thought of using them to make this easy swag garland for a holiday tree, doorway, mantle, or even gift wrap.

All you need is a roll of wire-edge ribbon and some big ole holly berries from my Etsy shop. You could also use a ruler to check your spacing between clumps. Work at a long table or on the floor, if possible. Try to keep your ribbon flat while you work.

1. Pinch a spot on your ribbon to make a place to wrap the berries. Pleat it a little as you pinch, but don't fold it. Try not to twist the ribbon while you work.

Use 3 stems for 2-3 inch ribbon, more if your ribbon is wider.

2. Next, grab 3 stems (they are double tipped so that's 6 berries) and line them up evenly.

3. Fold the berries in half, right on top of the pinched part. Then grab the stems (not the berries) right under the ribbon, and twist a couple of times. (It's best not to tighten the clumps too much until you're sure about your spacing.)

Pinch the ribbon, fold the stems and twist!

4. Repeat those steps -- pinch the ribbon, fold 3 berry stems, then twist.

Sorry, didn't have a tree to wrap this around. ;-)

Hint: You might want to "fluff" the wire-edge ribbon as you work, especially right next to the berry clumps, and press things flat as you work.

~~~~~~~~~~