Festive Greens: What is Christmas Garland Called?

When the holiday season arrives, we drape it over our mantels, wrap it around banisters, and frame our front doors with it. This beautiful, flexible strand of holiday greenery is a decorating staple. But have you ever wondered: What is Christmas garland called? Are there other names for this iconic decoration?

While most people simply refer to it as "Christmas garland," it goes by a few different names depending on its style, material, and how it is constructed. Let’s unwrap the vocabulary of holiday greenery so you can shop like a pro!

1. The Standard Term: Christmas Garland

The word garland comes from the Old French word garlande, meaning a wreath or a chaplet of flowers or leaves. In holiday terms, a garland is any decorative cord, strand, or rope made of greenery, flowers, or ornaments used specifically during the Christmas season.

2. Alternative Names Based on Style and Material

Depending on what it is made of, you might hear a Christmas garland called by several other names:

Swag (or Mantle Swag)

While a regular garland is uniform and meant to be draped symmetrically, a swag is designed to hang down in the middle or taper off at the ends. People often look for a "mantel swag" or a "door swag," which features thick, lush greenery tightly clustered in a specific shape, often embellished with pinecones and ribbons.

Festoon

This is a more classic design and architectural term. A festoon refers to a garland of greenery, ribbons, or flowers that is hung in a curved, sagging loop between two points. If you are draping your garland along a fence or porch railing in deep waves, you are technically creating festoons!

Tinsel Garland

If the strand isn't made of realistic pine but rather shiny, metallic plastic designed to catch the holiday lights, it is specifically called a tinsel garland. This style is a fun throwback to retro 1950s and 60s holiday style.

3. Real vs. Artificial Terminology

When you are shopping online or at a local tree farm, you will also run into these common terms:

• Live or Fresh Garland: Made from real cut evergreen branches like cedar, white pine, fir, or boxwood. They smell amazing but will eventually dry out.
• Faux or Artificial Garland: Made from PVC, PE, or tinsel materials. These can be packed away and reused year after year.
• Pre-Lit Garland: Garlands that come with built-in LED or incandescent Christmas lights, saving you the hassle of tangling wires.

Conclusion

Whether you call it a Christmas garland, a festive swag, or a holiday festoon, this beautiful strand of greenery is the perfect way to tie your holiday home decor together. Now that you know the official terms, you can find the exact style you need to make your home look like a cozy winter wonderland!