How to hang garland on mantle without nails

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21 Easy Holiday Hanging Hacks for Garland, Wreaths and More

Absolutely no nails required.

Domestically Blissful

With the holiday season comes a to-do list that never seems to end. We know how hard it can be to find inspiration for Christmas decorations that feel festive and magical, yet attainable and affordable. To help make your holiday season just a little bit easier, we've rounded up easy ideas on how to hang garland. These hanging hacks are sure to save you time and energy.

As you read, you'll learn how to hang like a pro — whether it be garland, wreaths, stylish stockings or outdoor Christmas lights. Discover simple decorating ideas for every space, including eye-catching ways to style your mantel, Christmas staircase decorations that'll complement your interior and holiday door decor that'll wow your guests.

The best part: there's no drilling required so you won't have to worry about permanently altering or damaging your space. When the holiday season is over, all of these hacks are super easy to undo. Plus, it's possible to use the structures you already have, like hanging a DIY Christmas wreath from your pendant light or securing garland on your mirrors. There are plenty of Christmas decorations to buy and holiday decor from Amazon that are simple to hang and will blend seamlessly with your existing home design.

Most of these hacks are stress-free — even if you're a novice DIYer — and you likely have most of the supplies lying around your house. If you don't have everything you need, the supplies are super affordable and accessible. Now, pick up some command hooks, fishing line, double-sided tape, zip ties or your hot glue gun and get to work!

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Rely on Floral Wire

Secure fresh garland down the length of your banister using floral wire. For extra security and a touch of personality, tie giant ribbons around it.

SHOP FLORAL WIRE

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Hang a Wreath With Fishing Line

This oversized wire wreath looks as though it's floating in the air, but in reality, it's being held by a piece of fishing line. Hang your decor with nearly-invisible fishing line and everyone will wonder how you've pulled it off.

See more at Style by Emily Henderson »

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Use Ribbon to Secure Chair Wreaths

Hang mini wreaths on the back of your chairs to instantly elevate the dining room. Find your favorite ribbon — make sure it's sturdy — and loop it around the wreath and tie the ribbon around the top of the chair. For extra support, you can use a zip tie then cover the zip tie with the ribbon.

SHOP RIBBON

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Use Decorative Garland Ties

Add a pop of color to your garland with these decorative ties. These fabric-covered ties are pleasing to look at and do a great job at securing the garland to the banister since they act as a twist tie. Also, you don’t have to worry about any scratches on the banister — an overall win!

SHOP GARLAND TIES

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Secure Garland With Zip Ties

To give your garland a natural draped look, use Command Hooks and then use clear zip ties to attach the garland to the hooks. This will help ensure your garland hangs beneath the hand rail and allow you to create drapes exactly to your liking.

See more at Domestically Blissful »

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Display Holiday Cards

Put your holiday cards on display with just a few supplies, including your favorite ribbon, clothespins and a few thumb tacks. This decorative setup works well on your kitchen pantry or hall closet door or any blank wall that will allow you to see the cards frequently.

See more at So Festive »

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Add Holiday Greens

Give your pre-existing decor a holiday upgrade. You can use heavy-duty tape (like a double-sided one) or removable Command strips to attach greenery, like wreaths and garlands, to your mirrors.

SHOP CLEAR TAPE

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Hang Mini Wreaths With Ribbon

The more wreaths, the better! If you already have your front door covered, then it’s time for mini wreaths indoors. Hang mini wreaths over kitchen cabinets with just a few simple supplies, most importantly ribbon and Command Hooks. With a little bit of measuring and some ribbon, you’ll have these up in no time.

See more at The Gifted Wreath »

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Make a Wreath Chandelier

Hang a wreath to your pendant light by using thick, sturdy ribbon to create your own custom chandelier. Be careful to choose a lightweight wreath so your pre-existing hardware can easily support it.

SHOP WREATHS

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Create Porch Light Decor Using a Hanger

If you are looking for a way to decorate your porch light for the holidays, this is an easy and affordable way to add some greenery near your home entrance. With a wire coat hanger, foam block and a few extra supplies, you’ll be well on your way to a stunning porch light decoration.

See more at In My Own Style »

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Use Cable Organizers to Attach Garland

You typically depend on Gear Ties to corral cords and cables, but they can also secure garland to mantels, bannisters, and shelves. The adjustable ties come in a variety of colors, so you can choose the one that best matches your railing or garland.

SHOP GEAR TIES

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Use Binder Clips to Hang Lights

Raid your office stash for binder clips before hanging lights or garland on the outside of your house. Not only does the color blend into dark roofs, the clip design makes it easy to adjust the garland's placement while you hang.

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See more at HubPages »

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Hang Stockings With a Curtain Rod

Here's an easier way to hang your stockings. If you have multiple stockings and not enough hooks, grab a curtain rod and place it on top of the stocking hooks that you already have. Then, all you’ll have to do is string the stockings on the rod — however many you have!

See more at Thrifty & Chic »

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Hide a Hook in the Back

To make sure that your wreath really shines, stick a hook on the back of the door instead of the front. Then, loop the ribbon on to the hook and over the door. This way, the front looks seamless, and the bow on the back of the door offers a sweet surprise.

See more at Tidbits and Twine »

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Opt for Weather-Resistant Hooks

While any ol' Command hook will initially do the trick, it won't be able to withstand a month (or three) of winter weather. Attach garland or window swags with stick-on hooks — Christmas lights, especially! — made specifically for outdoor windows and house exteriors to ensure that your décor stays put all season long.

SHOP OUTDOOR COMMAND HOOKS

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Hang Christmas Tree Lights Vertically

Hang your Christmas lights vertically this year and avoid the hassle of going round and round the tree. It’s quicker and you only need to go around once! Start at the bottom and bring the wire to the top of the tree, curve the wire at the top and bring it back down. Then, all you have to do is repeat until you have gone around the tree in one full loop.

See more at Charleston Crafted »

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Attach a Garland Hanger

For an easy, foolproof option, attach a garland hanger to any door frame — indoors or outdoors. Then, you can easily drape your greens over the top. Since they're adjustable, they can be moved around from door to door (or door to window) in the years to come.

SHOP GARLAND HANGERS

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Make the Most of Your Tension Rod

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Glue Light Strands Directly to Your House

Hot glue is one of the easiest ways to temporarily attach a string of lights or garland to the outside of your home. Here's the catch: It doesn't work on every surface — hot glue will cause paint to peel off and stucco to melt — and it's probably not recommended by light manufacturers, so try this tip at your own risk.

SHOP HOT GLUE GUNS

RELATED: The Best Outdoor Christmas Lights You Can Buy

Katarina Avendaño Senior SEO Editor Katarina Avendaño (she/her) is the senior SEO editor for Good Housekeeping, where she writes and edits lifestyle content and contributes to SEO strategy.

Alyssa Gautieri Associate Lifestyle Editor Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design.

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