Realistic Faux Christmas Garland: The Ones I Use, Compared

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and some pieces Jennie has shared came from brand partnerships, including gifted products or paid collaborations. This post includes paid partnerships with Wayfair and Quince. Our full disclosure.

When I'm choosing faux Christmas garland, I reach for draping Norfolk pine when I want it full, cedar when I want that soft drip, and a pre-lit garland when I want to save time. Here are the ones I use, compared, and which one I'd put where.

Norfolk pine vs. cedar garland

If I could only decorate with one thing every Christmas, it would be garlands. To me, Norfolk pine looks fullest: long, soft branches that hang down and fill a railing or headboard fast. Cedar is flatter and lacier, so it drips over an edge and adds texture when you layer it over something fuller. I mix the two a lot: Norfolk as the base, cedar for depth. Pre-lit garland is its own category, and it's the shortcut when you don't want to string lights.

The Norfolk pine garlands I use

These are my go-to base layers. The two draping styles from Darby Creek and Quince hang long and loose, the Darby Creek Norfolk Collection comes in longer runs, and the Wayfair dripping garland is the one from my Wayfair holiday post.

Draping Real Touch Norfolk Pine Garland

Darby Creek

• Length: 4 ft (48 x 28 x 4 in)
• Style: Draping
• Best for: Stairs and headboards

I used two of these in our bedroom to keep it cozy and simple.

Shop at Darby Creek ↗

Norfolk Collection Real Touch Norfolk Pine Garland

Darby Creek

• Lengths: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 ft
• Style: Standard garland
• Best for: Long runs, entries and tables

I've used four of the 5 ft lengths together for one really full look.

Shop at Darby Creek ↗

Draping Real Touch Norfolk Pine Garland

Quince · Paid partnership

• Length: 8 ft
• Color: Forest green
• Style: Draping

I layered this one across our upholstered headboard, and it's SO good there.

Shop at Quince ↗

Real Touch Norfolk Pine Dripping Garland

Wayfair · Paid partnership

• Style: Dripping
• Best for: Mantels

I added this with stockings and pine stems for a simple but classic holiday look.

Shop at Wayfair ↗

The cedar garlands I layer in

Cedar is what I add for texture and depth. On the mantel, I mixed one 4 ft Lebanon cedar from Darby Creek with two 5 ft cedar garlands from Purple Rose & Co. Darby Creek also says that to get the full look in its own mantel photos, it recommends layering two garlands on top of each other. The Purple Rose cedar comes in two lengths, and the 65-inch length is sold out right now; the 120-inch is in stock.

Draping Real Touch Lebanon Cedar Garland

Darby Creek

• Length: 4 ft (48 x 26 x 4 in)
• Style: Draping
• Use: Indoor or outdoor

My cedar layer on the mantel, over the fuller garland.

Shop at Darby Creek ↗

Real Feel Cedar Garland

Purple Rose & Co

• Lengths: 65 in (sold out right now) or 120 in
• Style: Standard garland
• Best for: Mantels and entries

Full, layered cedar with pinecones, bells and a beaded garland woven through.

Shop at Purple Rose & Co ↗

The pre-lit pick that saves time

If you want the glow without wrapping lights through every branch, a pre-lit garland is the easy route. This Amazon one is battery operated with a timer, so there's no cord to hide, which makes it a good fit for a mantel, a shelf or a doorway without an outlet nearby.

Lighted Pine Garland, Battery Operated With Timer

Amazon

• Lights: Pre-lit, battery operated with a timer
• Style: Pine garland
• Best for: Spots with no outlet

The one I'd grab for a quick, cordless glow.

Shop at Amazon ↗

Which faux Christmas garland for which spot

1. Staircase: draping Norfolk pine, and plenty of it. Ours took eight 4 ft lengths, with a few mixed picks tucked in for texture and little gold bells to finish it off.
2. Mantel: a full base garland with cedar layered over it. My full step-by-step is in how I decorate a Christmas mantel with garland.
3. Headboard: one draping Norfolk pine across the top. The rest of that room is in our Christmas bedroom.
4. Entry or console: one cedar and one Norfolk pine layered together, so it reads as greenery the second you walk in.
5. Doorway or shelf with no outlet: the battery pre-lit garland.

For the stems, wreaths and trees that go with all of this, start with my budget Christmas decor finds.

Frequently asked questions

Can faux garland go outside?

Some can. Darby Creek lists the Lebanon cedar garland for indoor or outdoor use. For the others, check each retailer's listing before you hang it on a porch.

Shop more holiday rooms on Shop the Look, or see how I set up a neutral Christmas tree and browse the Shop.