A popcorn garland is a wonderful Christmas tradition and can be a fun activity for you and your loved ones! If you’re looking to decorate your home and perform a fun craft in the process, America’s Favorite Gourmet Popcorn is here to help. We can teach you how to make the perfect popcorn garland, giving your Christmas tree a vintage nod to the past.
Popcorn garlands have been dated back as early as 1842. Before Christmas ornaments and tinsel were commonly sold in stores, American colonists had to rely on creating their own holiday decorations. Popcorn garlands were easy to come by and involved materials that were already within their homes. In the early twentieth century, the tradition became popularized by German American immigrants. They would create long elaborate garlands that were dyed various colors and decorated with other edible treats such as nuts and berries. Thanks to them, the tradition stuck and has remained a beloved Christmas custom ever since.
Instructions
Step 1
To start things off, pop your popcorn. When selecting your popcorn, avoid storebought microwave popcorn as it’s usually covered with special butter, salt, and other preservatives. We recommend cooking your own stovetop popcorn for the best results. Since this popcorn is going to be left out for at least a couple of weeks, you will want to avoid using any salt, butter, or toppings.
Step 2
Discard any burnt, broken, or misshapen kernels. If you’re feeling hungry, these can be a great snack! You will want the best kernels for your garland, so make sure the ones you keep are presentable.
Step 3
Allow the popcorn to sit out for at least a day or two. Freshly popped popcorn is known to easily break, so you will want to wait for the popcorn to become less brittle.
Step 4
Select and cut at least 6 feet of string. When it comes to materials, a variety of different options can work. You can pick heavy embroidery floss, clear fishing line, string, and even dental floss if you run out of other options!
Step 5
Find a sewing needle and tie the string through it, creating a knot. At the other end of the string, tie another firm knot. This will help your popcorn stay put and not fall off of the other end.
Step 6
Taking the needle, push it through the center of each popcorn kernel, stringing your popcorn along. Through the process, your string will quickly begin to build up with popcorn. To avoid gaps, push the kernels tightly together each time your needle goes through.
Step 7
Throughout the process, feel free to decorate with any fruits or candy! If you want to embrace the German American tradition, spray your popcorn with glue and colorful glitter. When it has dried, drape it around your tree, and voila! You have a beautiful garland, worthy of spreading Christmas cheer.
At America’s Favorite Gourmet Popcorn, we can provide you with the perfect Christmas gift this year! Celebrate the holidays with a bag of our Classic Mix or give your loved ones a gift bag of one of our seasonal flavors. Whether you’re looking for a sweet or salty snack fix, we’re here to help you find what you’re looking for.
