How to Make a Leaf Garland {more DIY Dollar Store Fall Decor!}

I know I should probably hide my head and pretend I bought all my fall decor from some upscale retailer, but I can’t help myself. I promised more budget fall decor ideas up my sleeve, so here you go– a faux leaf garland with supplies from, da da dum… The Dollar Store. There goes the neighborhood, right? BUT! These leaves looked realistic enough I figured buying them wouldn’t lower my home’s value but rather serve as an easy way to create chic decor on a dime.

Here’s how to make them. If you know me, it should come as no surprise that this project takes about 10 minutes and only $1. Does that make me cheap and easy? Wait. Don’t answer that.

I’m a sucker for ginkgo leaves, and there’s a backstory to that if you want to know why I’d love such a stinky, gross tree.

Here’s the DIY leaf garland how-to:

I made these at midnight, so no pretty photos of the process. However, it’s so easy you don’t need them. First, I freehanded a ginkgo leaf on paper and cut it out as my stencil. Here’s a bunch of ginkgo images, choose the one you like and print it! I laid out the leaves:

and placed my paper ginkgo tracer on top and cut out it’s shape using a good pair of scissors until I’d reshaped all the leaves. Then I bent the wire stems and attached them to the twine. I pinched the loops closed, and woot, A LEAF GARLAND that I can use year after year.

That pop of yellow makes me happy.

And hopefully my budget decor isn’t bringing down the neighborhood.

I love how the wires in each leaf make them look so realistic. And totally glow in the warm autumn sunshine too.

Want more budget fall decor ideas? Check out this $5 pumpkin burlap wreath from yesterday, and be sure to stop back on Monday. I’ve got you covered. 😉