The 15 Best Artificial Garlands For The Holidays

This is story of how I rounded up the 15 best faux garlands for the holidays.

We moved into our new home just before Thanksgiving, and spent our first holiday living out of boxes. I wasn’t interested in decorating with an artificial Christmas garland! Instead I bought a HUGE live, fresh garland (from Costco!) to cheer up the half unpacked house.

stairs with a the best faux garland and Christmas ribbon tied to it

After heat from the fireplace and sunlight, my fresh garland quickly dried up and worse, my floors were covered in needles. It was tossed before Christmas. I would not be tempted by those fresh garlands again, and swore next year I would invest in some of the best faux garlands.

I found out artificial Christmas garlands have come a long way – not only are they more practical, they can be incredibly life like!

Table of Contents

The 15 Best Artificial Garlands For Christmas Decorating, Updated for 2022

Tip: If you buy a faux garland that did not come prelit, wrap fairy lights (here) around the garland. Do this first, before you hang and add embellishments.

best faux garland on a mantel — Sunny Side Up Blog

The Classic, Most Lifelike Faux Garlands

1. Afloral’s Faux Cedar Garland (Sold on Afloral, or for more money on Amazon but with free ship.) The GOAT!

This is my personal favorite artificial Christmas garland! Seen below in my home, where I layered approximately 4. The branches fluff out nicely and are bendable.

sources: blue rug | Christmas tree | sconces | stocking | wood chair

sources: | blue + white jars here and here | sconces | stocking | Frame TV

Use large command hooks on top of your mantel backwards – but this garland can grip well on it’s own. This winter garland sells out in November every year. Below is how just one looks (over the stove):

Update: Afloral offers a large 180″ this year! Over your front doorway, down. long staircase, etc!

Shop this extra long garland on Afloral’s website or on Amazon, shop the smaller version on Afloral, or Amazon with free ship.

2. Terrain’s Faux Cedar Garland Anthropologie (and Terrain) brings this cedar garland back every year.

This one looks great simple as a single garland, or elaborate.

faux garland on a mantle — The Picket Fence Projects

faux garland over a sink — Sunny Side Up Blog

Shop it here:

3. McGee & Co Woodland Cedar and Pine Garland Last year McGee and Co began offering their lighted cedar garland that is classic and beautiful. Just the right amount of fullness AND it is prelit!

Shop it here:

4. Snowy Flocked Garland I equate King of Christmas with flocking because they do it the best, in my opinion. Not too messy and it stays on well. I’ve own 2 of their flocked trees and I can say the same for that.

Shop it here:

Live But Preserved Garlands

Preserved is a compromise between fresh and artificial garlands, so I couldn’t write this post without mentioning them. Keep them away from direct heat and sunlight. Mist them down weekly. They can last a long time!

5. Pottery Barn’s Olive Leaf & Myrtle Garland This is what I used down my table this year. It is fresh, and technically real, so it’s a nice compromise. It smells great! You can tie some ribbon around it to make it even more special. It will last up to a year!

Shop it here.

6. Preserved Boxwood Garland, Extra Full: A boxwood garland looks positively luxe. Boxwood is classy and loved for years – you can’t go wrong! If you found Target’s boxwood garland too thin (it’s thinner but it’s a GREAT price!) you will like this one from Ballard. At 65″ long and extra full, it’s absolutely stunning!

Shop this garland here.

Shop all 3 live but preserved garlands here:

Best Faux Garlands: The Magnolia

A magnolia is a must have in the south, but it is also a classic piece loved by other parts of the country too. Pottery Barn does a faux magnolia garland best.

7. PB Faux Magnolia Garland Although only 5ft, the faux garland from Pottery Barn is so lifelike and a classic piece for your home. Initially I was going to purchase this. I took too long making up my mind though, and they were sold out by the time I went to buy it! *Note: they restocked!

Shop it here:

8. William Sonoma 12ft Magnolia Garland For a large doorway, an arched entrace, or a wide or double front door!

via Gal Meets Glam

Shop this long garland here.

The Popular Amazon Garlands

9. National Tree Company prelit Artificial Christmas Garland Almost 9k reviews on this classic red and green prelit garland off Amazon. At 9ft, this is enough to hang over a door, but they also can be plugged into each other so you could hang two together if you are going for extra (yes!).

10. Flocked Spurce Garland For indoor/outdoor use, with a battery option too.

11. Minimalist Pine Garland is thinner, affordable and ideal for crafts or projects. I have seen this guy everywhere this year.

Honorable Mentions

12. Real touch Spruce and Pine Garland A newly released garland from the company who brought the most famous cedar garland seen all over “blog land”. Thicker than others, this garland is mixed with various shades of faux pine and pinecones for a realistic and very full look. The below photo has two.

Shop it here:

13. Nine Feet of Lightly Frosted Garland I love Mercury Row – we bought a beautiful Christmas tree from Mercyry Row last Christmas . This garland made the best faux garlands list is affordable and so long – and ideal for your stairs or entrance. I’ll let the almost 700 reviews and the photos do the talking!

Shop it here:

14. Nine Feet of Garland With 100 Lights Best selling and well loved garland. This one I have seen for several years because it does so well. The price is reasonable for the value I think!

Shop it here:

The Affordable Budget Minded Garland

15. Target’s Garland This budget find made it to the best faux garlands list because is so affordable and looks great doubled up! Add pinecones and lights if you want to give it a more realistic feel.