This time of year I try and find activities that we can do together as a family.
This popcorn and cranberry garland is something my family has been doing since our kids were preschoolers.
It has become a favorite family tradition.
Also, no plastic waste with this natural Christmas garland!
Stringing a popcorn garland is so easy and fun, and only requires a few items. We usually make this garland a week or so after Thanksgiving, but you can make it anytime before Christmas. It traditionally decorates the kid's tree with all of their homemade ornaments.
We put on a favorite Christmas movie, usually A Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey. I then put an old sheet down on the floor to catch all of the extra popcorn and to protect the carpet, and then the fun begins! Our Yorkies are also helpful with eating any stray popcorn. 😀
The best part is the popcorn serves as both a movie snack and a garland!
Here are some tips before you get started:
Use a sheet or old blanket to protect the floor.
Have all the supplies ready before the movie starts.
Have parents or older children thread the needles.
Supervise children under the age of 12.
Double thread the needles for more stability.
Double or triple knot the thread at the ends and leave a couple of inches of thread on each end so you can tie the garlands together.
Use fresh cranberries. The cranberries will eventually dry out -but will still look pretty. If you store the garland carefully in a dry cool place, it can be used the next year.
Materials Needed:
An old sheet or blanket to protect the floor
Popped popcorn. Or I use the popcorn bags and pop the popcorn in the microwave. Avoid popcorn with butter or extra ingredients.
Fresh cranberries, 1-2 bags
Needles, one per person. Make sure the needle head is not too big. The larger needles tend to break the popcorn
White thread
Directions to make the Garland:
1. Pop popcorn or buy it already made without butter or any other additives. Put the popcorn in large bowls or containers. Many times I have one bowl for each person. Next, put the fresh cranberries in smaller bowls.
2. Thread a needle with white thread about 24 inches long (shorter for smaller children).
Double thread the needle for more sturdiness, and double or triple knot the thread.
Have a parent thread the needle for smaller children. Repeat for everyone in the group.
3. Thread approximately 12 pieces of popcorn and then add one fresh cranberry. Repeat until the 24-inch piece of thread is full, leaving an inch or two to tie it to another garland. It is okay if the popcorn breaks off- this happens often! More popcorn to eat!
Just rethread another piece of popcorn.
Of course, monitor small children. However, they usually get the hang of it pretty quickly. We started doing this when my kids were in preschool.
4. Enjoy watching a Christmas movie while everyone is stringing the popcorn and cranberries. I am usually the one who gets all the supplies ready, threads and rethreads the needles, and who refills the popcorn and cranberry bowls.
Yorkies and other doggies are helpful with the cleanup of extra popcorn!
4. Tie several garlands together with the extra thread left on the ends until you have the length you want. We use 3 to 4 or more long garlands to decorate the tree. When the kids were younger, we just stopped when they were tired! Watching the movie helped to keep them focused!
I tried to find a picture of the tree when the kids were young.
This picture is an oldie but goodie!
On this tree, we put all of the decorations that they made by hand.
The popcorn garland went around the tree, and we strung paper garland that went up and down on the tree.
Here are some updated pictures from 2023. This makes me SO happy! My son, Chris, and his wife, Array, made a popcorn garland for their sweet tree. And below is my first grandchild, Elise Joy! And she is such a joy!!❤️
The tradition continues!! ❤️❤️❤️
I hope you have fun with your family making this popcorn garland!
Blessings to all this Christmas season! XOXO penny 🎄
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