{"id":2057484,"date":"2024-10-09T17:38:20","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T22:38:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=2057484"},"modified":"2024-12-20T14:27:20","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T20:27:20","slug":"balsam-hill-garland-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/balsam-hill-garland-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Balsam Hill Garland Review: The Perfect Canvas for Custom Holiday Decorating"},"content":{"rendered":"When it comes to holiday decorating, nostalgia is the name of my game. I love timeless pieces that look just as relevant in my current setting as they did in my grandparents' home. Luckily, there's a simple secret to unlocking that old-school charm: lots of evergreen garlands.\r\n\r\nBut, as anyone who's ever been disappointed by scratchy, patchy greenery knows, not all garland is created equal. I've been on the hunt for a mainstay option to decorate my banister, and I just found the perfect pick for Christmas 2024. Yes, it's pricey. But the pre-lit Balsam Hill Fraser Fir garland<\/a> is built to last. Here's my honest review.\r\n

What is Balsam Hill garland?<\/h2>\r\nBalsam Hill garland brings the beautiful, lifelike realism of Balsam Hill Christmas trees<\/a> to other holiday decorating<\/a> staples. The BH Fraser Fir Foliage we tested is just one of many bountiful options the brand offers for framing doorways and windows or draping on mantels and railings. It's available in three lengths\u20146, 10 or 18 feet<\/span>\u2014and multiple light options.\u00a0<\/span>If you opt for the plug-in lights, you can connect multiple strands together. The garland is also outdoor safe and has UV protection. (Note: Balsam Hill recommends displaying for only three months at a time to ensure the garland stays beautiful for multiple years.)\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"We Tried It\" product_name=\"BH Fraser Fir Garland\" short_description=\"Dress up your space with this stunning Balsam Hill garland. It's the perfect canvas for ribbons, ornaments, pinecones and picks.\" image=\"2059539\" image_credit=\"VIA MERCHANT\" pr_name=\"Balsam Hill\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.balsamhill.com%2Ff%2Fbh-fraser-fir-artificial-christmas-foliage%3Fsku%3D2809971\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Balsam Hill\" retailers_2_name=\"Nordstrom\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fbalsam-hill-fraser-fir-pre-lit-artificial-garland%2F6486169\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Nordstrom\" retailers_3_name=\"Williams Sonoma\" retailers_3_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.williams-sonoma.com%2Fproducts%2Fbalsam-hill-fraser-fir-pre-lit-garland-10ft%2F%3Fposition%3D18%26sbkey%3Ddefault\" retailers_3_display_text=\"Shop on Williams Sonoma\" \/]\r\n

How We Tested It<\/h2>\r\nI've been testing the 6-foot Balsam Hill Fraser Fir garland<\/a> with battery-powered, clear LED lights since September 2024.\r\n

Unboxing and Assembly<\/h3>\r\n\"Balsam\r\n\r\nThe garland arrived in a surprisingly small, bare-bones box. It was smushed inside along with instructions and a bulb replacement kit. I've tested Balsam Hill products before, and the latter is one of my favorite details. It's reassuring that when the lights inevitably burn out, I have plenty of backup bulbs and fuses ready to go.\r\n\r\nI pulled the garland out and was immediately impressed with the True Needle foliage. While this decoration obviously doesn't smell like the real deal, it looks pretty close. I loaded the battery compartment with four AAs and got to work.\r\n

Set-Up<\/h3>\r\n\"Balsam\r\n\r\nI love the look of garland. It's a timeless staple that adds whimsy, color and charm to any number of spaces that would otherwise go undecorated. I already have garlands for my mantel and window frames, but it's been a struggle to find an option for my awkward, half-banister stairway. The 6-foot Balsam Hill option is a perfect fit. And, thanks to the battery power, I don't need to worry about outlets or unsightly extension cords.\r\n\r\nI grabbed some ribbon and started connecting the garland to the railing and newel post. For the price, it would have been nice if the set came with some extra-long zip ties or other hanging mechanisms, but I made do with what I had.\r\n\r\nOnce the garland was in place, I started fluffing. Each branch was incredibly malleable and could bend any way I wanted. I would strongly recommend turning the lights on, though, so you can make sure they're evenly dispersed as you finagle the garland for the perfect fit. After about 15 minutes, I was happy with the outcome.\r\n

Lights<\/h3>\r\n\"Balsam\r\n\r\nThe lights on the Balsam Hill garland cast a pretty, warm glow. The battery pack is pretty large, but it comes with a black elastic strap, so you can easily hide it in the foliage. A red light lets you know when the garland is on, and a green, yellow or red light indicates the timer is set. For further customization, you can set the timer for 4 hours on and 20 hours off (green light), 6 hours on and 18 hours off (yellow light) or 8 hours on and 16 hours off (red light).\r\n

Value<\/h3>\r\nThanks to the lights, the garland is quite pretty on its own. But as a \"go big or go home\" decorator, I find that it's also an excellent canvas for adding all sorts of accouterments. Depending on your style, you could add pinecones, ornaments, ribbons, floral picks, faux fruit, greenery sprigs\u2014the options are endless. And, considering pre-decorated Balsam Hill garlands like the glitzy Champagne and Crystal<\/a> or old-money Biltmore Magnolia<\/a> cost over $250 for 6 feet, you'll likely save a pretty penny by decorating it yourself. Plus, the simple nature of the Fraser Fir garland allows you to switch it up year over year if you move to a different space or embrace a new holiday style.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThere's no denying that the $149 price tag is pretty steep, but you really do get what you pay for. I'm confident this will be a mainstay in my home for many holiday seasons. In the long run, I'll likely even save money, as a 6-foot fresh garland runs anywhere from $30-$60, depending on the source.\r\n

Pros<\/h3>\r\n