• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Boutique of the Week
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Happy Happy Nester

Weekly Inspiration for Your Nest

  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast/Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Dinners
    • Drinks
  • Crafts
  • Decor
  • Shop
    • Fall Decor
    • Kitchen
    • Pillows
    • Holiday Decor
  • Amazon Store
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast/Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Dinners
    • Drinks
    • Snacks
  • Crafts
  • Decor
  • Shop
    • Fall Decor
    • Kitchen Favorites
    • Pillows
    • Holiday Decor
  • Saturday Chitchat
  • Boutique of the Week
  • About
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

See What’s Trending…

Cakes

Cookies

Dinners

Wreaths

Drinks

A cozy living room features a fireplace decorated with a garland of large, artificial leaves and candles. A small dog sits on the hearth beside a large basket. In the foreground, a white coffee table holds a candle, book, and ornaments.

Home › Crafts › DIY Paper Garland

DIY Paper Garland

Crafts Decor Holiday
By Janine Waite · Published on Aug 22, 2024
Affiliate Disclosure: This Post May Contain Affiliate Links.

I crafted this easy DIY paper garland using paper bags and packaging paper. With plenty of leftover paper from our Amazon deliveries, I decided to create a DIY paper leaf garland perfect for fall. The large leaves mean fewer cuts, making it a quick and simple project. Attach the leaves to real branches for a beautiful fall mantel decoration.

A cozy living room features a fireplace decorated with a garland of large, artificial leaves and candles. A small dog sits on the hearth beside a large basket. In the foreground, a white coffee table holds a candle, book, and ornaments.

If you’re in the mood to add some seasonal charm to your home without spending much. Try making your own paper leaf garland, it’s a super fun and easy DIY project. Plus you can get creative with different designs to match your style. It’s a great way to add a personal touch to your decor!

I’ve always loved crafting paper leaves, whether it’s for a wreath or garland. It’s a fun and affordable way to bring that cozy autumn vibe into our home.

This project has been on my crafting bucket list for a while, and I’m thrilled to have finally tackled it this week.

My husband loves how it turned out, though he couldn’t resist joking that the big leaves make him feel like he’s in a “Borrowers” kids’ book. He always has some witty comments about my projects!

Despite his humor, we’re both pleased with how quickly our living room transformed into a cozy fall space.

L

Things To Add To A Garland

  • Wool Balls and Acorn Caps
  • Twinkle Lights
  • Pinecones
  • Dried Orange Slices
  • Knitted Mini Pumpkins
  • Velvet Bows
  • Cinnamon Sticks
  • Faux Berries

Easy Paper Garland DIY

A black artificial bird perched on a white, fabric pumpkin amidst dried leaves and branches. Behind it, a red candle and a decorative wreath with a ribbon are visible, set against a light-colored background. The words "HAPPY HAPPY NESTER" are at the bottom.

Supplies You’ll Need for This Paper Craft

Real Branches: These add a natural touch and serve as the base for attaching your paper leaves, enhancing the garland’s overall rustic look.

Packaging Paper or Paper Bags: Paper is the primary material used to create the leaves. For an eco-friendly option, recycle paper from packages or bags. If you don’t have paper around the house, you can buy it here.

Leaf Templates: These help you create uniform leaf shapes. You can print or draw your own. Fill out the form below to receive your free Leaf Templates.

Pencil: Used to trace the leaf templates onto the paper.

Scissors: Essential for cutting out the leaves from the traced paper.

Glue Gun: Used to attach the leaves to the branches or wire, ensuring they stay in place.

Wire: This provides structure to the garland and makes it easy to shape and hang.

Command Hooks: These are the best helpers for any craft or home decor project.

How to Make a Paper Garland

Two sheets of paper featuring abstract leaf outlines lie on a brown paper surface. An orange and white checkered cloth is partially visible on the left, and a pair of gold scissors is placed underneath the papers. A small glass bowl is at the bottom left corner.

Step 1 – Print Out Leaf Template
Download my leaf template and print it out. I’ve included both a large and small leaf design for you to use.

A shaped piece of white paper with a black outline, resembling an oak leaf, lies on a brown paper sheet. A gold pen with a white tip rests beside it. Surrounding the paper are fabric pieces in fall patterns, a pair of scissors, and a glass jar with dried orange slices.

Step 2 – Trace the Templates
Place the leaf templates on your packaging paper or paper bags and trace around it with a pencil. I cut a few leaves at a time by layering my papers. Repeat this for as many leaves as you need. I cut about 70 or so paper bag leaves

An overhead view of a crafting scene with crumpled brown paper, a white paper leaf cutout with a black outline, a pair of gold-handled scissors, and a red and white checkered cloth. A jar and a patterned cloth are also visible in the background.
A flat lay photo shows several crumpled, brown paper cut-outs in the shape of oak leaves scattered on a white surface. A jar with cinnamon sticks and light-colored fabric with floral designs is visible in the upper corner. Text reads "HAPPY HAPPY NESTER.

Step 3 – Cut Out the Leaves
Using scissors, carefully cut out the traced leaves from the paper. The larger the leaves, the fewer you’ll need to cut.

A fireplace mantle adorned with long, thin branches, a white ceramic rabbit figurine, and dried floral arrangements. The wall and mantle are white, and there are beige and white checkered curtains framing the scene. A mirror is mounted above the mantle.
Close-up of a decorative setup featuring white felt balls attached to brown branches with green wire. A paper-like brown material forms a backdrop. The image has a soft, cozy aesthetic. The words “HAPPY HAPPY NESTER” are visible at the bottom right corner.

Step 4 – Prepare and Shape Branches
If you’re using natural branches, clean them up by removing any loose bark or small twigs. If needed, trim them to your desired length.

Before adding your leaves, arrange the branches or wire into the desired garland shape. You can twist the wire to create a more defined structure or drape the branches across your mantel. I used Temporary Command Hooks to secure the branches with wire. Before I did that, they tumbled down when my husband walked by the mantel. He’s a bit of a klutz, so I always have to make sure my projects are firmly fastened and immovable.

A hand with a ring is folding a piece of brown craft paper on a white surface. Several pieces of similarly shaped brown paper are scattered around. A jar and a patterned cloth are in the top left corner.
Crumpled paper leaves are arranged artistically on a white surface with a mason jar containing dried orange slices and a folded patterned napkin nearby.

A close-up image shows brown paper decorations resembling autumn leaves attached to branches. White pom-poms are strung along with the decorations. The background features a light-colored surface and the words "HAPPY HAPPY NESTER" are subtly visible in the bottom right corner.

Step 5 – Attach the Leaves
Heat your glue gun and apply a small amount of glue to the base of each paper leaf. Attach the leaves to your branches, pressing them firmly to secure them. I used some of my smaller leaves for the tips of the branches. Once you have the garland complete add whatever fun seasonal accents. I added a wool ball garland to my mantel.

Close-up of a craft displaying a felted acorn attached to a faux autumn leaf made of brown paper. The background shows a window with blurred outdoor light coming through. A faint "HAPPY HAPPY NESTER" watermark is visible at the bottom right corner.
A close-up shot shows a decorative garland draped across a white mantel. The garland consists of large brown paper leaves and white spherical ornaments. The background includes a marble surface and a partially visible checkered curtain.

I love any project that has paper leaves. Here are some that might interest you!

  • Paper Wreath DIY (Paper Bag Leaves)
  • Lemon Wreath DIY (Paper Wreath)
  • Easy Fall Wreath Ideas DIY


The best part about this project is how budget-friendly it is. You can collect branches from your yard or a nearby park and use recycled butcher paper or paper bags. It’s that easy! The result is stunning, and the leaf garland adds a beautiful fall touch to any home.

Make sure to check out my friend’s fall decor ideas below!

Happy Fall!

wente tour signature

Blogger’s Best Fall Decor Ideas

Touches of Fall at Home | Craftberry Bush

Simple ways to add little fall touches at home.

A festive porch decorated for Halloween with pumpkins, a basket of orange and black patterned treat bags on a bench, several potted plants, and a charming DIY paper garland. A door in the background has a "Trick or Treat" sign, and one pumpkin is carved into a jack-o'-lantern.

Beautiful Fall Decor Starts at the Front Door | Most Lovely Things

When I start to think of fall decorating, my mind immediately goes to deocrating the porch and front door for trick-or-treaters!

Fall Decor Ideas for the Kitchen | My 100 Year Old Home

Fall is a magical time when the air turns crisp, and nature’s palette shifts to warm, rich hues. So why not add light touches and fall decor ideas to your kitchen?

Creative Fall Décor Ideas to Transform Your Home | My Sweet Savannah

Discover stylish and cozy fall décor ideas to transform your home this autumn. From warm color palettes to seasonal accents, find inspiration to embrace the beauty of fall in every room.

Cozy Fall Home Ideas | Tatertots and Jello

Simple ways to create a cozy home for fall, with links to DIY ideas, decor, soft textures, and seasonal accents that will instantly add warmth and comfort to your home.

pin it button

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Janine Waite
Follow me
Janine Waite
I named my blog Happy Happy Nester because I love everything related to the home. I’ve always enjoyed decorating my surroundings. Get cozy and stay for a bit, thanks for visiting!
Janine Waite
Follow me
Latest posts by Janine Waite (see all)
  • 4th of July Wreaths - May 28, 2025
  • My Favorite Flower Inspiration - May 24, 2025
  • Outdoor Oval Rugs and More - May 21, 2025

You May Also Like

  • halloween wreath free fall printabe final long size sm ver
    Free Fall Printable for Your Autumn Decor
  • paper wreath diy
    Paper Wreath DIY (Paper Bag Leaves)
  • pom pom garland
    Pretty Paper Garlands Online
  • diy paper flowers cherry blossoms
    DIY Paper Flowers Tutorial (Tissue Paper)

Sharing This!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Annie Diamond

    August 22, 2024 at 2:20 pm

    Janine! I love how approachable this is… using Kraft paper bags… it’s so pretty!!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Sidebar

Janine the Nester

Hello from the Nester

We love everything related to home, so get cozy and stay for a bit. Thanks for visiting our blog. Learn More...

Reader Favorites

The Best Crunchy Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookie

This Italian Cream Cake has a pumpkin cream cheese frosting that makes this a winning combination. This dessert is perfect for the holidays.

Italian Cream Cake with a Twist of Pumpkin

French Apple Custard Tart with Puff Pastry

DIY Paper Flowers Tutorial (Tissue Paper)

Upcycling Tin Cans with Scrapbooking Paper

How to Make a Paper Flower Wreath DIY

Popular Categories

  • Cakes
  • Cookies
  • Dinners
  • Wreaths
  • Organizing

Join Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:
I am grateful to be of service and bring you content free of charge. In order to do this, please note that when you click links and purchase items, in most (not all) cases, I will receive a referral commission. Your support in purchasing through these links enables me to keep my design and customization prices ridiculously low and empower more people worldwide to blog with less worry and less hassle.
Happy Happy Nester is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Thank you! :)
-Happy Happy Nester

Our Guide

Join Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Recipes

Appetizers
Breakfast/Brunch
Desserts
Dinners
Drinks

Crafts & Decor

DIY
Gardening
Holiday
Wreaths

About

About The Nester
Contact
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Happy Happy Nester by Janine Waite · Privacy Policy

↑ BACK TO TOP