How to Make an Oversized Holiday String Light Garland

Honey, we blew up the Christmas decorations.

Oversized garland resembling a strand of string lights will brighten up your holiday decor. Made of globe balloons and this printable that looks like the thread on a light bulb, it’s easy to make and is entertaining for both kids and adults. 

DIY Christmas light garland made from balloons.

Balloon Garland That’ll Light Up Your Holiday Decor

DIY Christmas light garland made from balloons.

Photo by: Emily Fazio

Emily Fazio

Materials

  • clear tape and double-sided tape
  • string or twine
  • optional: hot glue gun and sticks

Inflate Balloons

DIY Christmas light garland made from balloons.

Balloon Garland That’ll Light Up Your Holiday Decor

DIY Christmas light garland made from balloons.

Photo by: Emily Fazio

Emily Fazio

Inflate the balloons to roughly 12”-16” — no helium required.

Assemble Printable Pattern

DIY Christmas light garland made from balloons.

Balloon Garland That’ll Light Up Your Holiday Decor

DIY Christmas light garland made from balloons.

Photo by: Emily Fazio

Emily Fazio

Print and trim lengths of our free pattern, and curl each one into a cylinder shape. Secure it with clear tape. If you don't have a printer, achieve a similar look by sketching diagonal lines onto sheets of paper or placing Washi tape diagonally on paper.

Assemble Each Light Bulb

Trim a 9” piece of string for each balloon. Make a slip knot at one end, and string and wrap around the balloon knot. Attach the assembled pattern over the top of the balloon knot with double-sided tape or hot glue on the low setting (Image 1).

Create a slip knot on the other end of the string. Note: The string only needs to be long enough to peek over the printable pattern (Image 2). Slide the knot onto a long strand of twine, and cinch it tight. This will prevent the balloons from sliding around, letting you evenly space them (Image 3).

Hang the Garland

DIY Christmas light garland made from balloons.

Balloon Garland That’ll Light Up Your Holiday Decor

DIY Christmas light garland made from balloons.

Photo by: Emily Fazio

Emily Fazio

Hang the garland on the wall, mantel or in front of a window.

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