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