Garlands That Glow

The Harvest Season is upon us and it's time to start thinking about ways to decorate your home for all of your Fall festivities. Here's an easy way to turn your front door into a welcoming entry this October.

Start by purchasing dried corn husks from your local Mexican food market or at your traditional market in the Mexican food section. Purchasing 4-5 packages of the dried corn husks should cover you for this project. You will also need clear, 2-inch-wide tape and approximately 20 feet of rope light. It is best to measure the linear feet of your doorway or foyer area prior to purchasing the rope. Rope light is made of small LED lights encased in a smooth plastic tube. The tube is flexible and safe since there is no heat generated from the tiny lights within the plastic casing. Rope light can be found at larger local hardware chains such as Lowes or Home Depot.

To begin this project, gather a few corn husks in a small bunch and tape them around the plastic rope. Keeping this first section of husks close to one end of the plastic rope, point the loose husks towards the end of the rope light. Continue taping clusters of corn husks along the rope every two inches, layering the loose ends over the first bunch, until you reach the center of the rope. Begin this process again by starting at the opposite end of the rope until you meet the center of the rope, where the husks meet in the middle.

Upon completion, hang 2 nails on either side of your entry and center the newly decorated garland over your front door allowing enough excess rope to create a gentle swag in the center as the rest of the rope frames the door.

This seasonal decoration for your home will be a welcoming greeting to any guest who drops by during the Fall season. By day your new garland will look rustic and seasonal for fall. At night, the new husk and light combination will create a nice glow to celebrate the harvest season and holiday's to come.