How to Make Vintage Sheet Music Garland | Frugal Christmas Decor Idea

Looking for an easy and frugal Christmas decor idea for the whole family? Make up some vintage sheet music garland paper chains and hang them around your Christmas tree, stair rails or Christmas mantel. It looks so festive just about anywhere, with minimal household supplies. Let me show you how!

I know Christmas time can be a financial burden, especially if you are considering new decorations and purchases for gifts. That is why I am trying to bring you many decor ideas that take minimal supplies that you probably already have at home.

Adding garland to a tree or around your home can be an expense, if you are using store bought ribbon, beads – or something similar. But I hope to show you that it can be homemade and absolutely beautiful still!

I recall aging paper at home in my elementary school years. The idea has never left me and came in handy when I had the thought to create vintage Christmas sheet music garland in a beautiful paper chain to wrap around the tree.

Let me show you how I made this fun Christmas DIY crafting project!

SUPPLIES FOR MAKING FAUX AGED PAPER SHEET MUSIC GARLAND

Sheet Music
- I found this great shop on Etsy that sold a huge collection of Christmas carols and hymns. I printed off several copies of each song. If you have an old hymnal, that might work perfectly too!
Milk
- Used to baste on to paper to create an old sheet music look
Brush or pastry brush
Wet rag
Sheet pans
Stapler

How to make aged sheet music garland paper chain

STEPS FOR AGING PAPER IN THE OVEN AT HOME

STEP 1: RIP OR CUT STRIPS FROM THE PIANO SHEET MUSIC

If you want a clean edging on your strips, you can use a paper cutter or scissors. I opted to use my wet rag to wet the fold on my paper and then carefully tear each piece off. This method gives it a bit more of the vintage sheet music pages feel and brings it to the next level of feeling aged.

STEP 2: LAY STRIPS OUT ON PAN AND BASTE WITH MILK

You don’t need to use a ton of milk, but get it nice and covered. If it puddles up, it often browns more and sometimes gets stuck on the pan. Just a light brush of milk is good!

STEP 3: PUT IN THE OVEN ON BROIL

Time to cook your sheet music! I found that it goes faster if your oven is on broil and the pan is on the top shelf.

However, you need to watch the paper carefully! Once it starts to brown, take it out. You don’t want to cook it too much or risk a fire. You can keep the oven door open a crack if it makes you nervous and keep a close eye.

STEP 4: MAKE THE SHEET MUSIC GARLAND PAPER CHAIN

The paper cools quickly and you can begin making the paper chain. You can staple or glue the rings together, but I do prefer stapling. Kids are really great at this job!

how to make a sheet music garland paper chain

Once your paper chain is all finished, you can string it around the Christmas tree, hang in on your mantel, shelves or even stair rail. It is so charming wherever you put it and you will enjoy the fruit of your labor all season long.