| Decorative Garland: | | | | Â- Parties |
| | | | |
| A garland is usually a decorative type of | | | | At these occasions it can be hung around the |
| wreath or a braided cord, which can be used | | | | party room, or for outdoor venues it can be |
| year round or just at festive occasions. The | | | | placed on or around the tables, gazebo or the |
| word "garland" actually comes from the French | | | | buildings itself. It helps to give the |
| word "guirlande" which means "a wreath of | | | | occasion a look of nature, symbolizing a |
| flowers". These braided cords can be small | | | | rebirth, a new beginning, that it is growing |
| and hung around a person's neck, or placed on | | | | and to show that hope springs eternal. |
| the head, or larger and hung on inanimate | | | | Garland has been used around the world for |
| objects. Originally garlands and wreaths were | | | | thousands of years at festivals and special |
| made of flowers and/or leaves. These were | | | | occasions for this same symbolic purpose. |
| worn on people's heads, around their necks | | | | |
| and draped around buildings. Today they can | | | | Garland at Weddings: |
| be artificial or real; some of the more | | | | |
| popular types are made of flowers, leaves, | | | | This is where the type of decoration is |
| tinsel, pine or a combination of any of | | | | determined by the type of party or event. |
| these. Many people prefer the artificial as | | | | Ribbons or bows are a common way of |
| it will last longer and can be used many | | | | decorating the garland. For a birthday a more |
| times. And today it is very hard to tell the | | | | colorful ribbon would be used and of course |
| difference between real and artificial | | | | for Christmas most use a red ribbon or red |
| garland without a close examination. | | | | bows. For weddings, people often use ribbons |
| | | | or bows that are white, or ivory, or the |
| Uses for Garland: | | | | color of the brides-maids dresses. A colored |
| | | | ribbon could be wrapped around the garland |
| Garland can generally be used at anytime of | | | | before it is hung or bows could be hung on |
| the year to add an extra touch to make the | | | | the garland at certain locations. There are |
| home look nicer or it can be used just for | | | | even special hangers that you can use when |
| special occasions to really help make things | | | | hanging garland. These will fit over most |
| stand out, such as at: | | | | doors or banisters to allow you to hang the |
| | | | garland pretty much anyway that you would |
| Â- Weddings | | | | like to and keep it from sliding around. Some |
| | | | weddings might even use the garland to form a |
| Â- Birthdays | | | | circle on the ground around the bride and |
| | | | groom as a representation of their never |
| Â- Receptions | | | | ending love or love as one eternal round. |
| | | | With garland being like a braid it makes |
| Â- Thanksgiving | | | | picking it up to store it away very easy, as |
| | | | it can be coiled up like an electric cord and |
| Â- Christmas | | | | placed in a plastic bag and or in a box to be |
| | | | stored away until it's next use. |