Can I just say that it was so dang fun hanging my garland around these kitchen windows. My heart is so full.  The painter’s heart will be full too when he comes back to touch up the paint.  Because I did this all without causing any damage to our walls or trim.  So, today I wanted to share how to hang winter garland – damage free.

But first… it’s story time!

I shared a little bit from my heart a few days ago over on our Instagram stories.  If you are new here, this house that we built has been over three years in the making.  We sold our hold home in August 2019 with the full plans of building in the spring of 2020.  And, then being completely done and moved in by the end of 2020.  Well… we all know what happened in that year!  Everything was stalled.  

We were living in a rental at the time.  The prices of lumber quadrupled in cost. We heard so many horror stories about people being in the middle of a build and there were no supplies.  Lots of people told us to hold off as we certainly didn’t want to get our home half built and it set for months, possibly years, without being completed.  So we did.

Mid 2020, we decided to build Deb’s workshop and live here in the cottage to get us out here on our land.  It is a 40×48 structure which has a very simple floor plan.  So, we knew we wouldn’t have any problems with supplies. Moving out hear in the cottage also meant that we wouldn’t be throwing rent money away.  This was completed and we moved in early 2021 with the idea that we may be here for three to five years.  We had no clue, but we just planned on it. 

Cut to the end of 2021 when we found our builder.  We asked him all of the questions about supplies, costs, etc.  We committed and here we are…  December 2022 and days away from moving into our forever home. 

We both share feelings of gratitude, disbelief that it’s finally happening,  and excitement. 

How to Hang Winter Garland without Damage

When we first started designing our home, one of our requirements in the kitchen were large windows above the sink.  I actually wanted almost the entire wall windows.  I could see Christmas greenery draped around them with different garlands added here and there.  Our move in date is going to be some time after December 9.  By this time, I normally have the entire house decorated for the holidays.  Since it is so late, I won’t be doing that.  

I did not, however, want to give up my dream this year of our kitchen windows.  So, a few nights ago, I set out to hang my winter garland around them… and I LOVE how cozy it made the kitchen feel.  The floor is still covered with paper.  The electricians and plumbers are still working.  And, the audio visual guys will be here all day over the next couple of days.  But, I just had to.

The painter is going to touch up the paint and then he will finish the floors next week.  He will be so proud that I hung my winter garland without any damage to our walls or trim.  It was so simple and I wanted to share it with you.  I plan on using this same method on my stairway railing as well.

You will need…..

Garland – This one is SO BEAUTIFUL and life-like.

Command Hooks –  The hook is a metal toggle hook that worked like a charm.  

Zip Ties – Zip ties come in SO HANDY.  

Scissors to cut the zip tie ends.

It is pretty self explanatory.  I used a total of five hooks:  one on each side of the windows and then one in the middle of the entire set of windows.  And, then simple started draping the greenery around the windows.  Whenever I saw I was close to one of the command hooks, I added a zip tie around the garland and hung it on the hook.  I used a total of four pieces of greenery garland and even attached them together with the zip ties in a few spots.

And, that’s it.  I would love to add a bunch of bells to the middle of the window or some ribbon.  But, this is as far as I have gotten.  

What do you think?  Have you ever used zip ties for this type of project?  If so, tell me in the comments what for.  I think zip ties are so convenient and a must-have for every household.