It’s just about time to, as the classic Christmas carol says, “deck the halls with boughs of holly.” Nowhere in the lyrics does it encourage adorning your walls with holes, though. If you’re planning your holiday design scheme, chances are fresh or faux garland is involved. Set down your hammer and nails; there’s an ingenious…
The trick to hanging garland without damaging the drywall? A tension shower curtain rod, according to TikTok creator @thekwendyhome, who first introduced us to this holiday hack. Here’s how it’s done.
Step 1: Fluff Your Garland
Artificial garland, whether bought new or dug out of a box of holiday decorations, often needs a little help to avoid looking flat. Before hanging it, give it a good fluff — this will help the garland look fuller and more realistic.
Start by straightening out any bends. Then, with the spine facing downward, work from one end to the other to shape each tip in the same direction, lifting them to create layers of foliage. After shaping, stand back, then adjust any stray tips.
Step 2: Wrap the Tension Rod With Garland
Tighten the tension rod in a doorway at a comfortable working height. Then drape and wrap your garland around the shower rod. For a fuller look, use two strands of garland.
Step 3: Add Decorative Accents
Now, the fun part — decorating. Wrap your garland in battery-operated twinkle lights for an especially magical doorway. Then, depending on your decor style, go wild with ornaments, faux berries, contrasting ribbons, velvet bows, dried orange slices, or mistletoe.
Step 4: Raise the Rod
Once you’re happy with the placement of the garland and decorations, carefully raise the rod to the top of the doorway, then tighten it. Don’t worry about it crashing down — most tension rods can support up to 20 pounds.
Create your own “garland” with another household item: a pool noodle. We got the inspiration for this hack from TikTok creator @kelsimsavage, who used it to design and attach a garland to her fireplace mantel. Slice the length of a color-coordinating noodle using a box cutter or scissors, wrap it around the tension rod, and insert sprigs of artificial greenery.
