PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Holidays and Traditions
Christmas
Christmas Trees
How to String Popcorn on a Christmas Tree Download Article Co-authored by Lois Wade
Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Approved
Download Article
Making the Popcorn
|
Stringing the Garland
|
Decorating the Christmas Tree
|
Video
|
Q&A
|
Tips
|
Warnings
|
Things You'll Need
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Lois Wade, a trusted member of wikiHow's volunteer community. Lois Wade has 45 years of experience in crafts including sewing, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, drawing, and paper crafts. She has been contributing to craft articles on wikiHow since 2007. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 86% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 512,709 times. Learn more...
When it comes to holiday decorations, it's difficult to get more traditional than festive popcorn garlands on your Christmas tree. Making them is also an easy, budget-friendly way to get in the yuletide spirit -- and it's fun for the entire family! Children will especially delight in helping string the popcorn so pop plenty-- some for the tree, and some for the decorating team.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Making the Popcorn
Download Article
1 Pop your corn. While you can pop it using any method you prefer, it’s easier to work with unsalted, unbuttered popcorn, so an air popper usually works best. If you don’t have one, you can also pop your corn in a pan or skillet on your stove top or put kernels into paper bag semi-closed in the microwave or 2:30 minutes . [1]XResearch source
To figure out how much popcorn you’ll need for your garland, keep in mind that 1 cup typically covers 3 to 4 feet of thread.
If you pop the corn in pan, you’ll need to add a little oil to the bottom to help the corn cook. To prevent it from becoming soggy, place the corn on a paper towel-lined plate or dish when you remove it from the pan, so some of the oil will be absorbed.
When you’re in a hurry, you can use microwave popcorn or a pre-popped bag. Just make sure that it has no salt or butter.
2 Inspect your popcorn. After it’s cooled off, go through the kernels to find the best candidates for the garland. You’ll obviously want to eliminate any burnt pieces, but you may decide to remove broken or misshapen kernels from the batch as well. The best popcorn for garland has a full, almost flower-like shape. Set all of the best pieces of popcorn in a bowl so it’s easier to work when you start to string the garland. Advertisement
3 Let it sit. Freshly popped corn can break easily, so it’s usually too fragile to thread. If you allow it to sit out for a day or two, it becomes less brittle, making it easier to string your garland.
For a more festive look, you may want to color your popcorn after it’s sat for a couple of days. Powdered food coloring works well to give the kernels a bright tint of color. You can go with the traditional Christmas colors, red and green, or custom color the popcorn to match the theme of your tree.
Advertisement Part 2 Part 2 of 3:
Stringing the Garland
Download Article
1 Choose your thread. You can use any sturdy thread that you like, but some work better than others. Heavy embroidery floss is a good choice because it’s strong and comes in a variety of colors. However, you can also use clear fishing line, which is even stronger and won’t show up if there are any gaps in the garland.
If you don’t have any thread or fishing line on hand, you can even use dental floss to string your popcorn. In fact, using a waxed variety can make the task even easier because the kernels will easily slide along the floss.[2]XResearch source
If you’re using thread for your garland, consider using red, green, or a shade that matches the decorating scheme for the rest of the tree in case it shows in any gaps between the popcorn.
2 Cut the thread. If you're making a garland longer than 5 feet, it's best to leave the thread attached to the spool so it's easier to work with. However, cutting the thread in lengths of 5 feet or less makes them more manageable, and you can always connect them later by tying the ends together for longer garlands.[3]XResearch source
3 Thread the needle. Thin needles typically work best when you’re making a popcorn garland. Choose one with a large eye too, so it’s easier thread. Make sure to tie a knot at the end of the thread to ensure the kernels don't fall off when you begin to string them.[4]XResearch source
4 String the popcorn. You’ll want to push the needle directly through the center of the kernel and pull it through to the end of the thread. Continue adding popcorn until the garland is full. There shouldn't be any gaps between the pieces of popcorn, so push the kernels all the way down to keep them tightly strung on the thread as you go.[5]XResearch source
Get creative with your garlands by mixing the popcorn with other items, such as fresh cranberries, dried orange, lemon, or lime slices, and cinnamon sticks. You can create striking patterns by alternating the other items with the popcorn. Fresh cranberries start to go bad after a couple of days, though, so you’ll want to spray the garland with shellac before putting it on the tree.
You can also dress up your garland by dotting the popcorn kernels with craft glue and sprinkling colorful glitter across them. Allow the glue to dry fully before placing the popcorn string on your tree.[6]XResearch source
5 Secure the finished garland. You'll need to leave enough thread at the other end of the string so you can tie another knot to keep the popcorn in place.[7]XResearch source
If you plan to connect several shorter garlands, make sure that there is enough thread at the end of each so you can tie them together.
If you're making a long garland and left the thread attached to the spool, you'll need to cut it when you finish the string. Then just tie off the end with a knot as you would with a shorter garland to secure it.
Advertisement Part 3 Part 3 of 3:
Decorating the Christmas Tree
Download Article
1 Add the garland after the tree's lights. While your popcorn garland might seem like the finishing touch to your Christmas tree, it’s actually easier to hang it when there aren’t ornaments in the way. You should add your lights before the garland, though.
2 Place the garland on the tree. The best way to hang popcorn strings on your tree is to softly drape them over the branches rather than firmly stuffing them in gaps. Start at the top and carefully work your way down.
For a formal look, make sure to drape your popcorn strings in even, uniform loops.
For a more casual look, allow the popcorn strings to drape unevenly.
If you want your popcorn garland to stand out on your tree, consider doubling up the strings and draping them together over the branches.
3 Add ornaments. Once the popcorn strings are in place, you can hang your ornaments on the tree. However, you should take care when placing them among the garlands because you don’t want any large, heavy ornaments to rest on the popcorn and possibly break it.
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search Add New Question
Question Is it possible to store the popcorn string for next year? Community Answer No, because it might go all crumbly, making an unpleasant mess for next year. Also, remember that it is a food, and will decompose, and possibly attract bugs. It is a cheap and easy enough project to redo the following year, and in fact, can become a fun, family tradition. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 25
Question I want to use popcorn on my tree but my pets keep eating it, how can I keep them from eating the popcorn on the tree? Community Answer Place the popcorn strings higher than the pet can reach. Do not put it on if the pet is so determined that it might climb the tree to pull it off, as this presents a risk to the pet and you, of the tree falling down. You could always hang the popcorn garlands across the top of a window or wall if the pet will only ruin it on the tree. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 18
Question I would like to preserve my popcorn and cranberry strings of garland. Can you offer suggestions as to properly packaging the garland? Community Answer Just spray your strings with a stain like Minwax a couple of times, and store them in a paper grocery bag after Christmas. I've had mine for 10+ years with minimal to no breakage of kernels. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 28
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Video
Tips
If you don’t plan to keep your garland, hang it outside after the holidays for birds to enjoy. However, if you’ve added fruit and applied shellac to keep it fresh, you’ll have to throw it away because the chemicals may harm the birds. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
It takes some time to string a nice long garland, but it can be saved and used for future holidays. Place it in a plastic bin with a lid that seals, taking care to gently coil the popcorn garland between layers of tissue paper. Choose a dry, cool location where you don’t have to worry about mice or other animals for storage. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Popcorn strings don’t just make great decorations for your Christmas tree. Hang them in other areas of your home where you want to add some holiday cheer, such as the fireplace, doorway, or banister. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Don't try to eat the popcorn after it has been used for decoration. Your Christmas tree may have dirt, insects, or other debris on it that you don’t want to be eating. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
If they're helping with the project, watch children with the needle too. You may need more than one thimble on hand. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Needles are sharp and the popcorn kernels can be very hard. You may poke your fingers a few times, so it helps to wear a rubber thimble to protect your skin. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Popcorn garlands are usually not a good idea if you have pets, such as dogs and cats. The animals may be tempted by the popcorn, and wind up destroying your tree to get it. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Advertisement
Things You'll Need
Popped popcorn
Medium size needle
Thread
Scissors
Bowl
Rubber thimble
You Might Also Like
How to Decorate a Christmas Tree Like a Pro (with Video Tutorial)How toPut Deco Mesh on a Christmas TreeHow toMake a Bow for a Christmas Tree TopperHow toMake a Paper GarlandHow toHang Garland on StairsHow toHang a GarlandHow toHang Garland Around Your Front DoorHow toMake Green PopcornHow to Prune & Trim a Live Christmas TreeHow toTie an Ornament BowHow toMake an Ugly Christmas SweaterHow toMake a Grape Vine TreeHow to Make DIY Colored PopcornHow toMake Homemade Popcorn Advertisement
Co-authored by: Lois Wade wikiHow Crafts Expert This article was co-authored by Lois Wade, a trusted member of wikiHow's volunteer community. Lois Wade has 45 years of experience in crafts including sewing, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, drawing, and paper crafts. She has been contributing to craft articles on wikiHow since 2007. This article has been viewed 512,709 times. 28 votes - 86% Co-authors: 55Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 512,709 Categories: Featured Articles | Christmas Trees In other languagesItalian
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 512,709 times.
Reader Success Stories
Nina K.
Dec 19, 2016
"I used to make 15 Cheerios & 4 fresh cranberry garlands! Keep the cranberries on a plate for about 2 hours to become dry. This year's popcorn garland I tied with tiny red ribbon (not thread) on a 3 ft. tree with white lights & nothing else. Adorable!"..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Lois Wade wikiHow Crafts Expert Co-authors: 55Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 512,70986% of readers found this article helpful. 28 votes - 86% Click a star to add your vote
Nina K.
Dec 19, 2016
"I used to make 15 Cheerios & 4 fresh cranberry garlands! Keep the cranberries on a plate for about 2 hours to become dry. This year's popcorn garland I tied with tiny red ribbon (not thread) on a 3 ft. tree with white lights & nothing else. Adorable!"..." more
Leila Catron
Sep 30, 2017
"Now I know the best materials to use." Rated this article:
Kasen Hubert
Dec 18, 2020
"It worked on my toy." Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
Quizzes & Games
Christmas QuizTake QuizImpossible English TestTake QuizHow Corny Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Instrument Should I Play QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Be for Halloween QuizTake QuizWhat's My Hair Type QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
How to Decorate a Christmas Tree Like a Pro (with Video Tutorial)How toPut Deco Mesh on a Christmas TreeHow toMake a Bow for a Christmas Tree TopperHow toMake a Paper Garland
Trending Articles
What Emojis Mean Sex?100+ Flirty Things to Say to a Girl & Boost Her Self-EsteemType A B C D Personality TestKissing Tips: The wikiHow Guide to the Perfect KissHow toTell That Your Crush Likes You BackCat Sleeping Positions: 22 Common Poses Explained
Watch Articles
How toCalculate the Volume of a PyramidThe Best Way to Exfoliate Your Scalp (Plus, What to Use)How toSave Money as a KidHow toPolish Aluminum2 Easy Renter-Friendly Options to Hang Your Window TreatmentsHow to Insert Slide Numbers in PowerPoint
Trending Articles
Are You Unc? Discover How Old Your Vibe IsWhat's My Hottest Feature QuizGen Beta Slang Quiz24 Different Types of Bras ExplainedHow to Play the Concentrate Game (For A Little Scare!)What Does Your Rice Purity Score Really Mean?
Quizzes & Games
Bedroom Aesthetic QuizTake QuizCharades GeneratorGenerateWhat Should I Bake QuizTake QuizWhat Pasta Shape Am I QuizTake QuizPizza CalculatorWhich American Dialect Do I Have QuizTake Quiz
Categories
Holidays and Traditions
Christmas
Christmas Trees
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Download Article Co-authored by Lois Wade 
How toMake Green Popcorn 
How toTie an Ornament Bow 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Lois Wade wikiHow Crafts Expert This article was co-authored by Lois Wade, a trusted member of wikiHow's volunteer community. Lois Wade has 45 years of experience in crafts including sewing, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, drawing, and paper crafts. She has been contributing to craft articles on wikiHow since 2007. This article has been viewed 512,709 times. 28 votes - 86% Co-authors: 55 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 512,709 Categories: Featured Articles | Christmas Trees In other languagesItalian 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Generate
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
475 
1 Pop your corn. While you can pop it using any method you prefer, it’s easier to work with unsalted, unbuttered popcorn, so an air popper usually works best. If you don’t have one, you can also pop your corn in a pan or skillet on your stove top or put kernels into paper bag semi-closed in the microwave or 2:30 minutes . [1] 
2 Inspect your popcorn. After it’s cooled off, go through the kernels to find the best candidates for the garland. You’ll obviously want to eliminate any burnt pieces, but you may decide to remove broken or misshapen kernels from the batch as well. The best popcorn for garland has a full, almost flower-like shape. Set all of the best pieces of popcorn in a bowl so it’s easier to work when you start to string the garland. Advertisement 
3 Let it sit. Freshly popped corn can break easily, so it’s usually too fragile to thread. If you allow it to sit out for a day or two, it becomes less brittle, making it easier to string your garland. 
1 Choose your thread. You can use any sturdy thread that you like, but some work better than others. Heavy embroidery floss is a good choice because it’s strong and comes in a variety of colors. However, you can also use clear fishing line, which is even stronger and won’t show up if there are any gaps in the garland. 
2 Cut the thread. If you're making a garland longer than 5 feet, it's best to leave the thread attached to the spool so it's easier to work with. However, cutting the thread in lengths of 5 feet or less makes them more manageable, and you can always connect them later by tying the ends together for longer garlands.[3] 
3 Thread the needle. Thin needles typically work best when you’re making a popcorn garland. Choose one with a large eye too, so it’s easier thread. Make sure to tie a knot at the end of the thread to ensure the kernels don't fall off when you begin to string them.[4] 
4 String the popcorn. You’ll want to push the needle directly through the center of the kernel and pull it through to the end of the thread. Continue adding popcorn until the garland is full. There shouldn't be any gaps between the pieces of popcorn, so push the kernels all the way down to keep them tightly strung on the thread as you go.[5] 
5 Secure the finished garland. You'll need to leave enough thread at the other end of the string so you can tie another knot to keep the popcorn in place.[7] 
1 Add the garland after the tree's lights. While your popcorn garland might seem like the finishing touch to your Christmas tree, it’s actually easier to hang it when there aren’t ornaments in the way. You should add your lights before the garland, though. 
2 Place the garland on the tree. The best way to hang popcorn strings on your tree is to softly drape them over the branches rather than firmly stuffing them in gaps. Start at the top and carefully work your way down. 
3 Add ornaments. Once the popcorn strings are in place, you can hang your ornaments on the tree. However, you should take care when placing them among the garlands because you don’t want any large, heavy ornaments to rest on the popcorn and possibly break it. Advertisement 
Community Answer No, because it might go all crumbly, making an unpleasant mess for next year. Also, remember that it is a food, and will decompose, and possibly attract bugs. It is a cheap and easy enough project to redo the following year, and in fact, can become a fun, family tradition. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 25 
Community Answer Place the popcorn strings higher than the pet can reach. Do not put it on if the pet is so determined that it might climb the tree to pull it off, as this presents a risk to the pet and you, of the tree falling down. You could always hang the popcorn garlands across the top of a window or wall if the pet will only ruin it on the tree. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 18 