If you’ve ever come home from a fall walk with a pocket full of acorns and no real plan for them, this is exactly the kind of project I love. This 5-item DIY autumn garland turns those little gathered acorns into a full, cozy seasonal decoration with plenty of texture and charm, and it’s simple enough to make in an evening after work. I’m always looking for low-cost decorating ideas that feel special without eating up my whole Saturday, and this one checks every box.
What makes this garland so good is that it looks layered and boutique-style once it’s hung, but the process is really just sorting, drilling, stringing, and spacing. We’re using five repeating decorative elements so the finished garland looks generous and polished instead of skimpy: acorn strands, wooden beads, jute tassels, felt leaves, and ribbon ties. It’s perfect for a mantel, shelf, staircase, or entry table, and it’s especially nice if you want natural fall décor that doesn’t feel too fussy.
Materials
Instructions
1. Sort your acorns and choose 30 to 35 that are similar in size for the main garland, plus 10 to 15 extras in case a few crack while drilling. Wipe off dirt and let them dry completely so the finished garland stores well.
2. Lightly sand any rough spots on the acorns and check that the caps feel secure; add a tiny dot of craft glue under any loose caps and let them dry. This keeps the strands from shedding little pieces later.
3. Cut one main length of twine to 72 inches for the garland base, then cut five hanging lengths of twine to 12 inches each for the acorn drops. Tie a small knot at the bottom of each hanging piece.
4. Drill a small hole through the center of each acorn from top to bottom, working slowly so the shells don’t split. If an acorn cracks, set it aside and swap in one of your extras.
5. Thread 6 acorns onto each 12-inch hanging twine piece, spacing them with simple overhand knots so they don’t slide together. Leave about 1 inch between acorns for a fuller, more delicate draped look.
6. Make five tassels by folding five of the 8-inch jute strands in half, tying them at the fold with one 10-inch jute piece, and trimming the ends even. Keep them fluffy rather than too skinny so they balance the visual weight of the acorns.
7. Lay out the 72-inch base twine and mark five evenly spaced spots, about 12 inches apart, for your decorative groupings. This quick dry layout helps the garland look balanced once it’s hanging.
8. At each marked spot, thread on this sequence: 1 wooden bead, 1 felt leaf, 1 wooden bead, then tie on 1 acorn strand and 1 tassel so they hang together as a cluster. Repeat until you have five full decorated sections across the garland.
9. Tie one velvet ribbon piece into a soft bow above each cluster, knotting it directly onto the base twine so it stays in place. Fluff the bows and angle the felt leaves so the colors show from the front.
10. Hang the garland and adjust the spacing by sliding the beads and repositioning the clusters until the drape feels even. If you want extra durability, brush a light coat of matte clear sealer over the acorns and let it dry before final styling.
Variations & Tips
For a more natural look: Skip the felt leaves and use dried faux eucalyptus or preserved oak leaves tucked into each cluster instead. I love this version when I want something a little less crafty and a little more gathered-from-the-yard.
If your acorns are tiny: Use 8 acorns per hanging strand instead of 6 so the drops still look full. Smaller acorns need a little extra volume to make the finished garland feel substantial.
For easier drilling: Let the acorns dry indoors for several days before drilling, and hold them steady on a folded towel. I’ve learned the hard way that rushing this step usually means more splits.
To make it longer: Increase the base twine to 96 inches and create 7 clusters instead of 5. This works especially well on a staircase or wide mantel.
For polished finishing: Dab a tiny bit of glue on knots after spacing everything exactly where you want it. That little extra step keeps the garland looking neat when you take it down and reuse it next year.
Storage tip: Wrap the garland loosely around a piece of cardboard or hang it on a pants hanger to keep the strands from tangling. As someone who always wants decorating to be easy the second time around, this makes a huge difference.