Making Tree Garland with Popcorn and Cranberries

Christmas is my favorite time of year and I love decorating my tree(s)-I'm up to 2 indoors & 1 outside plus small ones throughout the house. My main tree is about half full of pretty expensive or other store bought ornaments; the remaining ones are the ones I really love. These are the ones I've collected over the years - at craft shows, ones I've made myself, ones my friends made, and ones that came from unusual places. Like the tall narrow stocking from friends who brought it back from Hawaii or the little Eskimo Girl my cousin bought for me AFTER, lying to me that the store that carried them were already closed.

Garlands of strung popcorn and cranberries takes us all back to our childhood Christmas memories.

Here are directions on how to make these pretty, old-fashioned tree garlands.

Grab a few family members or friends to help out. Arrange some snacks and hot drinks to enjoy while you're making the garlands.

Pop some popcorn but be sure it doesn't have butter or any other coating on it. Pour into a large bowl and allow it to cool.

Pour the cranberries into a bowl, discarding any soft or discolored, broken ones.

Get some needles (1 per person) and thread each with heavy-duty thread (buttonhole or quilting thread) and pull until doubled. Knot the thread with a large knot. (or 2 or 3). You might use fishing line also - it's very strong and easy to work with although it's a little tougher to make the knots in fishing line.

Each person should get one needle and thread it as directed above. Each person will then follow the directions given below.

Thread one cranberry and pull/push to the end of the thread and knot the thread around it to create the "end" of your garland.

Thread a kernel of popcorn, followed by a cranberry, or and alternate until the thread is full. Leave enough thread to tie a sturdy knot (or 2 or 3) when you're done. You might also thread the popcorn and cranberries in a pattern - 4 kernels of popcorn, then 4 cranberries, and repeat - just be creative in how you're doing this.

Don't prepare these garlands too early in the season because they will dry out and/or get soft and discolored. I'd suggest making them no sooner than early December. You can also make them a little later in the month and add the garlands to you tree after they've been up for awhile.

You can also add bows to your garland(s) if you like, either at one or both ends, or every few feet on the garland itself. Then, you can make "mini" garlands, tie them together and make little wreaths to use as ornaments. These wreaths can also be used to make napkins rings for your holiday dinner. With both of these items, it's pretty to tie them together with a ribbon and bow.