This year, we will be spending the holiday season at home rather than traveling to see friends and family. So, to make the most of it, I decided to make handmade decorations using natural ingredients using techniques I've picked up over the years. One of my favorites is popcorn and cranberry garlands. They are simple to make, look beautiful on your tree, and make a nice gift for wildlife when you're done with them.
You will need the following materials:
Popped popcorn (preferably organic)
Fresh cranberries (preferably organic)
Embroidery floss or other heavy thread
Embroidery or other large needle
Instructions: Place the cranberries and popcorn into bowls to make it easy to access them as you string. Cut the embroidery floss into 6-foot lengths (you can cut it longer, but it's easier to manage in shorter lengths). You can connect them later for longer garlands. Thread the needle with the embroidery floss, then thread one cranberry down to the end and knot the thread around it to make an anchor. Thread the popcorn and cranberries in a pattern until thread is full (I did 2 cranberries, 3 popcorns, but you can do whatever pleases you). Avoid using any squishy cranberries, and thread the popcorn through the kernel, if possible, to minimize breakage. Leave enough of an end to tie another cranberry-knot when you’re done. If you would like a garland longer than 6 feet, leave a length of thread beyond the cranberry knot, which you can tie to the next garland. When you are ready to toss out/plant/put away your Christmas tree, the garland can go outside where the birds and squirrels will make good use of it!
