Today I have a quick and easy Christmas craft idea for you. This is one that I have been making and using for years. I am showing you how to make fake popcorn garland and they make an adorable addition to your Christmas tree decorations!
Vintage Christmas decor is my absolute favorite. And what better way to accent all my vintage ornaments than an old fashioned traditional tree decoration. I have great memories of stringing real popcorn and it can be so much fun. But it doesn’t last from year to year and we don’t always have time to make them.
So I learned how to make fake popcorn garland. That way I can make it once and use it year after year. No mess, no mice, and all holly and jolly! And they are so easy to make. A little foam, a bit of paint, and you’re ready to relax in front of a Christmas movie and string faux popcorn!
How to Make Fake Popcorn Garland
Using popcorn garlands in holiday decor is a tradition that goes back to Victorian days. Popcorn was a tasty treat that was also inexpensive and easy to make. Which made it perfect for stringing and adding to Christmas trees, mantles, and doorways.
German immigrants in America and German Americans helped the tradition grow and spread. And stringing popcorn for Christmas decorations became popular in many American homes. It may be my own German heritage and nostalgia that makes me love popcorn garlands in my tree.
I love that there is a way for me to enjoy them every year, without the mess and fuss of working with real popcorn. I hope you love these faux popcorn garlands as much as I do, and have fun making them!
Faux Popcorn Garland Tips
There is really not trick to these popcorn strands. They are super easy to make. But I do have a couple of ideas to make them even simpler.
For one, don’t stress too much about getting your squirts of foam spray just right. I tried really hard the first few times I made them to get each one tiny and “right”. But popcorn is all about variety in shapes and size. And even if your sprays of foam look wonky at first, we can still work with them!
The foam swells after you spray it. And it really wants to come out of the container! So sometimes you will end up with a spray that is larger than you want. I used to toss these but there is no need! Just break them into smaller pieces. And remove any little spikes that don’t look right. Then proceed as normal, easy peasy!
Another tip is to use something to make the indentation in each popcorn piece. I prefer you use my finger because I have control over the divot and the shape is just right. But your finger can only do so many before it wears out. So I used a Chapstick top for mine. You can use anything you have with a rounded top or bottom to make your indentations. Just try a few and see what works best for you.
How to Make Fake Popcorn Garland Supply List
- Spray foam insulation
- Parchment or wax paper
- Cookie sheet
- Gold paint
- Brown paint
- Small paint brush
- Dental floss or fishing line
- Needle
How to Make Fake Popcorn Garland Instructions
- Squirt little bits of the foam on your lined cookie sheet. Then set them aside to dry overnight. If your pieces come out bigger than you want, don’t worry. When they set, you can break them into smaller pieces.
- Once they are set, use your finger or a chapstick to make an indentation in each piece. Not all of the indentations will take and that’s ok. No piece of popcorn ever looks the same so however they come out is fine.
- Next, take gold paint and paint your divot. Then add a bit of brown at the center. This is the butter and kernel area.
- When your popcorn is all painted, let them dry before moving on to the next step.
- Next, thread some dental floss with a needle. The string I made was 52 inches. Then start stringing your popcorn on one at a time. I did mine with the paint facing out so you could see the definition.
The Wrap Up
And that’s all there is to making fake popcorn garlands for your Christmas tree. They are so simple to make and take just a few supplies. I use my garlands in my tree. But you can do like the Victorians did and work them into any portion of your Christmas decor!
I would love to see how you use these adorable popcorn garlands in your own home. So if you post any pictures of them on social media, tag me so I can check them out! As always, I hope you love this project as much as I do. Happy crafting, friends!
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