How to Make Gingerbread Garland That Actually Looks Good (Not Like a Pinterest Fail)

How to Make Gingerbread Garland That Actually Looks Good (Not Like a Pinterest Fail)

Gingerbread garland transforms your home into a cozy holiday haven without looking like you raided a clearance bin at a discount store.

I’ve spent years perfecting these techniques, and trust me, nothing says “Christmas magic” quite like handmade gingerbread decorations draped across your mantel.

Let me walk you through every method I’ve tested so you can pick the one that fits your skill level, budget, and available time.

Why Your Store-Bought Garland Looks Sad (And What to Do About It)

Mass-produced garlands feel cold and impersonal.

They lack the character and warmth that handmade decorations bring to your space.

I learned this the hard way after dropping $40 on a pre-made garland that looked fantastic online but cheap and lifeless when I unboxed it.

Making your own gingerbread garland gives you complete creative control over colors, sizes, spacing, and embellishments.

Plus, you’ll save money and create something truly unique that guests will actually notice and compliment.

The Four Methods I’ve Actually Tested (With Honest Reviews)

Method 1: Real Baked Gingerbread Houses

This is the showstopper method that smells incredible while you’re making it.

What You’ll Need:

• Gingerbread cookie cutters (house-shaped work best)
• All-purpose flour (3 cups)
• Ground ginger (1 tablespoon)
• Cinnamon (1 tablespoon)
• Baking soda (¾ teaspoon)
• Ground cloves (¼ teaspoon)
• Salt (¼ teaspoon)
• Butter (¾ cup)
• Brown sugar (¾ cup firmly packed)
• 1 egg
• Molasses (½ cup)
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
• Royal icing ingredients (confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, warm water, corn syrup)
• Ribbon (⅜” wide works perfectly)
• Large darning needle
• Metal straw (for punching holes)

The Process:

Mix your dry ingredients first—flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves, and salt.

Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy, then add egg, molasses, and vanilla.

Gradually incorporate the dry mixture until you have a firm dough.

Refrigerate overnight because warm dough is impossible to work with (learned that lesson the messy way).

Roll out your chilled dough to ¼ inch thickness.

Cut out house shapes and transfer carefully to parchment-lined baking sheets.

Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until edges are firm.

Here’s the critical part I wish someone had told me: punch holes through the roof sections immediately after baking while cookies are still warm.

Use a metal straw to create clean holes for threading.

Wait until they cool completely before attempting to thread them.

Prepare royal icing and pipe decorative details—windows, doors, roof shingles, snow caps.

Let the icing dry completely (at least 2 hours, preferably overnight).

Thread ribbon through the holes using your darning needle, spacing houses about 3-4 inches apart.

Time Investment: 4-6 hours including overnight chilling
Difficulty: Moderate
Budget: $15-25
My Rating: Perfect for experienced bakers who want an impressive statement piece

Method 2: Felt Gingerbread Garland

This became my go-to method after my third year of making gingerbread garlands.

What You’ll Need:

• Brown felt sheets (enough for however many shapes you want)
• White felt scraps or dimensional fabric paint
• Gingerbread man cookie cutter or template
• Fabric scissors
• Hot glue gun or fabric glue
• Ribbon, twine, or string
• Optional: glitter, mini pom-poms, sequins

The Process:

Trace gingerbread man shapes onto brown felt using your cookie cutter as a template.

Cut carefully—felt shows every wobbly cut, so take your time.

Add white “icing” details using either:

• Cut white felt pieces glued onto strategic spots (buttons, bow ties, smiles)
• Dimensional fabric paint squeezed directly onto felt (easier and faster)
• Puffy paint for a raised, textured frosting effect

Get creative with the faces—I make each one slightly different so they have personality.

Add squiggly lines, polka dots, zigzag patterns, or frosting drips around edges.

If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle glitter onto wet paint or glue for a sugared cookie effect.

Mini pom-poms make adorable buttons.

Let everything dry completely (usually 1-2 hours for paint, 30 minutes for glue).

Attach to ribbon using hot glue, mini clothespins, or by punching small holes and threading through.

Space them about 4-5 inches apart for visual balance.

Time Investment: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
Budget: $8-15
My Rating: Best overall method for most people—durable, customizable, and looks professionally made

Method 3: Cardboard and Felt Layered Garland

This budget method looks surprisingly sophisticated when executed well.

What You’ll Need:

• Recycled cardboard boxes
• Colored felt (brown, tan, copper tones)
• White dimensional fabric paint or puffy paint
• Scissors or utility knife
• Craft glue or hot glue
• Twine or string
• Tape

The Process:

Trace gingerbread shapes onto cardboard and cut carefully.

The cardboard provides sturdy backing that prevents drooping.

Cut slightly smaller felt shapes in coordinating brown tones.

Layer and glue felt onto cardboard backing—this creates dimension and hides the corrugated texture.

Add white paint details for icing—eyes, smiles, buttons, frosting borders.

The dimensional paint creates a raised effect that mimics real icing beautifully.

Flip pieces over and tape twine across the back, spacing pieces about 2.5 inches apart.

Time Investment: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (cutting cardboard requires patience)
Budget: $5-10
My Rating: Excellent for crafters who want an Anthropologie aesthetic