Ring in the Holidays With This DIY Evergreen Swag
Skip the big box stores and deck your doors and windows with fresh evergreen clippings sourced right from your own backyard. This simple, farmhouse-inspired swag makes quick work of holiday decorating while infusing your front door with a major dose of country Christmas charm.
Photo by: Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Materials
- fresh evergreen clippings (we used Leyland cypress)
- green floral wire
- jute rope
- rustic harmony bells
- wood beads
- faux berries
- ribbon
- high-temp glue gun
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Build a Greenery Base
Lay a one to two-foot (depending on how long you want your swag to be) piece of fluffy greenery vertically on your work surface. Cut a piece half that size and lay it on top, toward the bottom, to add fullness (Image 1). Wire the pieces together with green floral wire (Image 2). Pro tip: You can buy evergreen stems from your local florist or grab cuttings from your backyard, like we did.
Brittney Gazaway
Brittney Gazaway
Fill It Out
Cut four shorter stems and place them on either side of the center clippings, toward the top, creating an upside-down triangle shape (Image 1). Wire them to the center clippings. Continue to cut and layer greenery until you achieve the desired shape and fullness. Finish with another long, fluffy clipping on top to hide your work (Image 2).
Brittney Gazaway
Brittney Gazaway
Tie Bells Together
Thread jute rope through the top of the biggest bell and secure with a slip knot. Learn how to tie a slip knot here. Top the knot with a wood bead, then attach a second, smaller bell about three inches up the rope using another slip knot. Top that knot with another wood bead, then leave a generous amount of excess rope (or don't cut it from the spool yet) and set aside.
Brittney Gazaway
Brittney Gazaway
Brittney Gazaway
Combine Bells & Greenery
Center the bells on the swag (Image 1), then thread the rope through the greenery at the top (Image 2). Finish with an upside-down slip knot, leaving a large loop for hanging. Trim excess rope. Use floral wire to secure the rope beneath the knot to the greenery stems.
Brittney Gazaway
Brittney Gazaway
Brittney Gazaway
Add Some Color
Add a dab of high-temp hot glue to the ends of faux berry picks and disperse throughout the arrangement (Image 1). Tie two simple shoestring bows using your favorite ribbon (we chose gray velvet and simple white), then glue them just under the top knot, hiding any exposed greenery stems or floral wire (Images 2, 3 & 4).
Brittney Gazaway
Brittney Gazaway
Brittney Gazaway
Cassidy Garcia
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Maintain & Enjoy
Spritz greenery lightly with water about once a week, during the day when temps are above freezing, being careful not to soak the bell or ribbon. If some of your greenery starts to brown or fade, simply clip it out and replace with a fresh piece. With regular maintenance, your swag should last a month or more in cooler climates.
Photo by: Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Complete the cozy Christmas look by pairing your swag with gorgeous, handmade greenery garland. Make your own by following our easy step-by-step instructions below.
How to Make Holiday Garland From Foraged Greenery 13 Photos
Deck the halls with boughs of fresh greenery.
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