How to Make a Scrapbook Paper Garland: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Create a simple DIY paper garland using scrapbook paper — perfect for dressing a Christmas tree or hanging across a mantel.

My Christmas decorating is coming together at The Turquoise Home. The trees are up and now I’m filling in the smaller details: finishing the mantel, styling shelves, and adding accents to horizontal surfaces. I set a goal to have everything wrapped up by the weekend so I can tidy away boxes of decorations and enjoy the season without the clutter.

This year’s look is different from last year’s, and I’m absolutely in love with it. I’ll share the full home tour in December, but for now I’ll say I’ve mixed new pieces with old favorites used in fresh ways — one of my favorite approaches to decorating.

This is our third Christmas in this house and the third year for the nine-foot tree in the front window. There’s something magical about a lit tree in the window — it feels welcoming and festive, and I confess it’s been glowing there since early November.

A large tree takes a lot of ornaments to feel complete. This year the tree finally feels full, thanks in part to a scrapbook paper garland I made. It’s inexpensive, simple to make, and adds a charming, homemade touch to the tree.

What you’ll need for a DIY Paper Garland:

– Scrapbook paper (patterns like musical notes, plaids, or any design you love). I found mine on sale for around $0.16 per page and used seven pages.
– Twine or thin string for threading the pennants.
– Glitter for a subtle sparkle (optional).
– Scissors or a cutting machine if you prefer speed and uniformity.
– Glue (Elmer’s or similar) to add glitter or reinforce the pennants.

This project was a relaxing late-night craft for me while I watched a TV series. If you have a cutting machine it speeds up the process, but these pennants are easy to cut by hand as well.

I used a pennant template and arranged nine pennants per page. The scrapbook paper I used was on the thinner side, so I set my cutter to the printer paper setting and it worked well. If you cut by hand, aim for pieces around 3 inches wide by 4 inches tall and punch two holes near the top for the twine.

To add dimension, I creased the center of each pennant so they pop off the tree a bit. For a little shimmer, I ran a thin bead of glue along the bottom edge of each pennant and sprinkled silver glitter over it. Once dry, I threaded the twine through the holes and draped the garland on the tree.

DIY Scrapbook Paper Christmas Garland | TheTurquoiseHome.com

If you want a fuller look, make multiple strands of garland and layer them. You can also vary the pennant sizes, alternate patterns, or add small embellishments like punched stars, sequins, or tiny ribbon bows where the twine passes through.

Late-night crafting is my favorite kind of quiet time.

I love the finished effect — it’s simple, cost-effective, and it warms up the tree with handmade charm. The twine and paper soften the overall look and mix well with other textures, like ribbon and ornaments.

One practical tip: if you find ribbon or other specialty items you love, grab extras when you find them. I wished I had bought more of my jingle bell burlap ribbon before it sold out locally.

What simple, inexpensive holiday projects are on your list this season? A paper garland is a great weekend craft that adds big charm for very little cost.