Forget the dystopian blood red trees of 2017; Melania Trump’s 2025 Christmas decor is already dominating mood boards.
The look? Luxe, nostalgic, and unapologetically extra. In fact, it took almost 1,500 volunteers to install over 50 Christmas trees, 25,000 feet of ribbon, 10,000 butterflies, and one extraordinarily unsettling Lego portrait in the White House this year. However, it’s the sweeping holiday garlands that have caught many people’s eye. All 700 feet of the stuff.
If you’d like to inject some of that festive drama into your own home (sans the politics), you don’t need some impossible-to-master florist’s technique. Instead, there’s a sneaky garland hack you can try: a faux base layered with real evergreen foliage.
The Hybrid Method
You’d better believe that professional decorators have been pulling the wool (or the evergreen) over our eyes for years, as this sneaky garland hack is honestly the easiest way to build those thick, sculptural Melania-inspired garlands that hold their shape for weeks.
Think about it: it gives you the fullness and structure of artificial greenery plus the texture, fragrance and movement of real winter foliage, and all without the price tag of an entirely fresh installation or the sad droop that inevitably arrives by week two. Win.
So, how best to go about it…?
1. Grab a Faux Garland Base
Forget the limp supermarket versions; you’re looking for something with volume. A nine-foot faux pine or fir garland is perfect for mantels, stair rails, and door frames.
This base is what gives your garland backbone, and it’s very likely the reason the White House versions appear so gloriously thick.
With that in mind, then, remember to choose the most realistic faux you can afford; you’re only buying it once, and you’ll use it every year.
2. Layer in Real Foliage for That ‘Fresh-Cut’ Look
This is where the magic happens, as natural materials turn a basic store-bought garland into something worthy of a presidential photoshoot, whether it’s sprigs of cedar, spruce, fir, or eucalyptus.
Cut the stems into manageable lengths and slide them into the faux garland, tucking them against the existing wired branches. Because the faux base provides structure, you don’t need floral wire in your foraging kit unless you want extra security.
The result of this sneaky garland hack, then? Something that looks entirely fresh, yet still holds its shape, volume, and drama with zero fuss.
3. Finish With Soft, Hidden Lighting
Battery-powered micro lights are your secret weapon. Choose warm gold for a cozy glow, or a cool white for that eerily “White House at midnight” wintry vibe.
You could even opt for a rainbow hued string of lights if you fancy paying homage to Stranger Things’ iconic 80s aesthetic.
Wind them along the centre of your garland and tuck the wires behind branches. The goal is illumination without visible hardware.
Why This Hack Works So Well
Professional decorators have used this hybrid approach for decades because it solves every major garland woe. The faux base lasts forever, the real foliage gives scent and movement, and you can achieve that chunky, luxury look effortlessly for less (or free, even, if you have evergreens in your garden).
So, while Melania Trump’s 2025 Christmas decor may have required a team of White House elves to set it up, the secret to stealing the look for yourself is surprisingly down-to-earth: fake first, fresh second.
Use this sneaky garland hack to build your base and layer in your cuttings, then, and don’t be surprised if your home suddenly looks like it stepped straight out of Pennsylvania Avenue. Y’know, minus the presidential budget.
