3 Types of Artificial Pine Garland – What’s Best?

When it comes to artificial pine garland, you can choose from very cheap party decorations to more elegant and realistic holiday decor. Or, anything in between.

So what’s the best garland for you? Basically, it comes down to (1) how much you want to spend and (2) how real you want your pine branches to look.

1. Plain Artificial Pine Garland: How to Upgrade Your Look

There are some tricks of the trade to making less expensive Christmas garland look more sophisticated and stylish. For example, you can add pinecones, tree ornaments and other accents.

By doing this, the garland acts as a background to other centerpieces which get all the attention. You can save money on the garland, but you will need to spend time (and maybe money) accessorizing.

Mid-range garlands may not appear to be 100% authentic pine needles. However, they can look good enough to stand on their own. For example, Clever Creations makes an 8 1/2 foot “Scotch Pine” garland you can place on your fireplace mantel for about $20. (see photo above)

In addition, you can bend and mold the wire branches to any position you want. Therefore, they are really easy to wrap around a handrail, beam, mantel, window sill, etc..

Note: You can also get this unlit garland in a sparkly white or green decorated with pinecones and red berries. Prices vary depending on what type you choose.

2. More Expensive Pine Garland: Worth the Extra Money?

Now, compare that to a more custom-looking garland with a variety of textures and colors, like the one below. You could have picked all of the contents out from your backyard (or somebody else’s), right?

This upgraded indoor/outdoor pine needle garland costs about twice as much for the same length of greenery. (About $40-$45). If you just need one 9-foot garland, you may decide to splurge and buy exactly what you want.

Keep in mind too, that the “all-in-one” pre-lit branches save you time – just plug them in.

Note: You can also get very specific types of pine needle garlands. They may cost more but can get you that exact look you’re going for (and look realistic).

For example, cedar garland with a light dusting of sparkling snow. Or, Pine-and-Apmpas garland for a soft, feathery look.

3. Cheap Pine Christmas Garland: Is It a Good Value?

You can definitely find cheaper artificial pine garland. In fact, you can buy evergreen/pine roping virtually anywhere.

However, is it too fake for your taste? For example, if you want faux pine needles that trick you into thinking the real thing, you may want to upgrade.

Compared to the cheap products, realistic pine garlands many times have been molded from real tree branches. On the other hand, if you want to use the low-priced version for arts and crafts, it may work perfectly. Just check out Elsie Larson’s home tour – faux doesn’t have to look tacky.

Take, for instance, the pine branch mixture in the National Tree garland. You get more size, color and texture variety similar to what you’d find out in nature.

That said, if you’re using your artificial garland as a backdrop for other decorations, it may not show much. For instance, a table centerpiece with ornaments and candles, or a door wreath covered in pine cones, ribbons and other greenery.

And, of course, there’s nothing wrong with looking fake either. I mean, as long as you have fun, festive holiday or Christmas decorations, you may not care, right?

Note: You can actually get great deals and save money on higher-end garland simply by purchasing in longer lengths. For instance, you can get a 50-foot Vickerman garland with lots of full branches and pinecones for about $2.30 per foot.

The needles look like real pine branches and have a bushy 12-inch diameter. Plus, you can cut the garland to the sizes you need to fit doorways, mantels, table centerpieces, etc.. Even a better deal than two 25-foot pieces.