While the price is steep, there's a lot to love about this hyper-realistic Balsam Hill garland
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Balsam Hill Garland Review: The Perfect Canvas for Custom Holiday Decorating
Published on Oct. 09, 2024
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.
But, 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 is built to last. Here’s my honest review.
What is Balsam Hill garland?
Balsam Hill garland brings the beautiful, lifelike realism of Balsam Hill Christmas trees to other holiday decorating 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—6, 10 or 18 feet—and multiple light options. 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.)
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
BH Fraser Fir Garland
Dress up your space with this stunning Balsam Hill garland. It's the perfect canvas for ribbons, ornaments, pinecones and picks.
How We Tested It
I’ve been testing the 6-foot Balsam Hill Fraser Fir garland with battery-powered, clear LED lights since September 2024.
Unboxing and Assembly
The 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.
I 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.
Set-Up
I 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.
I 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.
Once 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.
Lights
The 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).
Value
Thanks 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—the options are endless. And, considering pre-decorated Balsam Hill garlands like the glitzy Champagne and Crystal or old-money Biltmore Magnolia 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.Â
There’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.
Pros
- Highly realistic foliage
- Pre-lit with a built-in timer
- Basic evergreen for endless decorating potential
- Easy to fluff and form to your space
- Multiple size options available
- Matches other products (like the BH Fraser Fir tree)
Cons
- Pricey
- Due to battery power, lights are on the dimmer side
- Only a 30-day warranty
Why You Should Trust Us
I’m a holiday gifting and Christmas decorating expert with nearly a decade of editorial experience. My work has been featured in Family Handyman, Reader’s Digest, Better Homes & Gardens and, of course, Taste of Home. To date, I’ve contributed to testing over a dozen artificial Christmas trees—including the Balsam Hill flip tree, the smart Twinkly tree and King of Christmas trees. I also have experience testing Balsam Hill wreaths, ornaments and ornament storage. An avid holiday enthusiast, my goal is to help our readers find the best products for making merry.Â
Where To Buy Balsam Hill Garland
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
BH Fraser Fir Garland
This lifelife garland brings a timeless elegance to doors, windows, mantels and railings.
Take holiday decorating to the next level with Balsam Hill Fraser Fir garland. All sizes and light configurations are available exclusively through Balsam Hill. And you can also find select options at Nordstrom and Williams Sonoma. Whether you keep it simple and adorn with some velvet bows or go all out with pinecones, ornaments and picks, it’s sure to be a stunning addition to your decor.
