How to Make a Scrapbook Paper Garland for Party Decor

Make this easy DIY paper garland with scrapbook paper. It’s a sweet, budget-friendly decoration for a Christmas tree, mantle, or garland across a window.

The trees are up at my home and I’ve been focused on finishing details—styling the mantel and filling horizontal surfaces with simple touches. After unpacking boxes of decorations, small, quick projects feel especially satisfying. This scrapbook paper garland is one of those easy makes that adds charm without taking much time or money.

This year’s holiday look is a departure from last year and I’m loving the change. I’ll share a full home tour later, but for now I’m experimenting with new combinations and finding new uses for older pieces—my favorite approach. Having a large tree in the front window is one of the highlights; it brings a cozy, magical feel to the house and I don’t mind leaving it lit early in the season.

A 9-foot tree needs a lot of filling pieces, and this paper garland helped bring the tree together. It’s inexpensive to make, customizable, and looks charming when layered with ornaments and ribbon. Below are the supplies and simple steps I used so you can make one too.

What you’ll need for a DIY Paper Garland:

– Scrapbook paper (choose a print you love—music notes, plaids, vintage prints, or holiday patterns). I bought mine on sale for about sixteen cents a sheet; you can mix patterns or stick to one color scheme.
– Twine or thin ribbon for stringing the pennants.
– Glitter or metallic paint for optional accents.
– Scissors or a paper cutting tool (a digital cutting machine speeds up the process, but hand-cutting works fine).
– Glue (school glue like Elmer’s or a glue stick) for attaching glitter and reinforcing folds.
– Hole punch (optional) if you prefer punched holes for threading.

This project is relaxing and simple enough to do while watching a favorite show. I used a pennant shape about 3 inches wide by 4 inches tall, but you can adjust the size based on how bold you want the garland to look on the tree.

If you have a paper cutting machine, arrange multiple pennants per sheet to maximize each page. For hand cutting, trace a template and stack a few sheets at a time to speed up the process. I was able to fit nine pennants on a single 12×12 scrapbook page.

DIY Scrapbook Paper Christmas Garland | The Turquoise Home

Steps to assemble:

1. Cut your pennant shapes from the scrapbook paper. Aim for consistent sizes so the garland hangs evenly.
2. Crease each pennant down the center to add dimension so they don’t hang flat. A small fold gives a slight 3D effect that catches light and shadow.
3. Apply a thin line of glue along the bottom edge of each pennant and sprinkle glitter or metallic flakes for a subtle sparkle. Let dry completely.
4. Punch small holes at the top corners or along the top edge of each pennant. Thread twine or ribbon through each hole, spacing the pennants evenly. Alternatively, fold the top over the twine and glue to secure for a cleaner edge.
5. Adjust spacing and trim excess twine. If you’re hanging outdoors, consider using a weather-safe ribbon or sealing the glue and glitter with a clear spray to protect them.

I threaded twine through the tops and draped the garland across the tree branches. The contrast of paper shapes, glitter edges, and jingle-bell ribbon created a layered, textured look that read well from the street. Small details like burlap ribbon with bells can add rustic charm—note that popular ribbons can sell out fast, so buy extras if you find one you love.

Tips and variations:

Mix patterns and solids to add depth—alternate music notes with metallic cardstock for contrast.
Vary pennant sizes for a playful, layered look on large trees.
Add small beads or wooden spacers to the twine between pennants for extra texture.
Cut letters or shapes from coordinating paper and glue them onto each pennant to spell a word or phrase.
Store flat in a box with tissue paper between layers to keep the pennants from bending.

This project is a fast, affordable way to personalize your holiday decor. It works equally well as a tree garland, mantel swag, or window banner. What simple, cheap holiday projects are on your to-do list this season?