DIY Valentine Heart Playing Card Garland With Ribbon -

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This DIY valentine heart playing card garland is an easy way to decorate for Valentine’s Day using ribbon and heart suit playing cards.

DIY valentine heart playing card garland with ribbon for easy Valentine's Day decor. — *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains other affiliate links too for your convenience. You can read my privacy policy for more details.

If ever there was proof that anything in your home can become decoration…it’s this garland.

Sometimes all it takes is looking at everyday items a little differently and a willingness to think outside the box.

A deck of playing cards might not scream Valentine’s Day decor at first glance, but with a little ribbon and creativity, it turns into something cozy, charming, and unexpected.

That’s exactly what I love about this Valentine garland.

It’s made from things you probably have on hand, doesn’t require fancy supplies, and it fits right in with a more collected, vintage inspired style of decorating.

And the best part about this DIY is that perfection isn’t the goal.

(Fellow perfectionists, you can relax.)

Slightly uneven ribbons, relaxed knots, and a mix of patterns are what give this garland its charm and character.

It’s simple, affordable, and easy to customize which makes it a cozy craft you can enjoy on a quiet afternoon and a decoration you’ll want to pull out year after year.

Let’s get crafting!

What You’ll Love About This Valentine’s Day Garland

AFFORDABLE – You can easily make this DIY using a deck of cards you already own and ribbon from your craft stash.
CUSTOMIZABLE – Change up the ribbon colors, patterns, or spacing. You can keep it neutral and subtle or add more pops of Valentine color, it’s completely up to you.
EASY TO MAKE – No complicated steps or special tools required (an ERH requirement). This is a beginner-friendly DIY you can finish in about an hour or less.

DIY Valentine banner hanging on a secretary desk for cozy Valentine's Day decor.

Supplies You’ll Need to Make Your Own DIY Heart Valentine Playing Card Garland

These are the materials you’ll want to grab.

Note: The amount of playing cards and ribbon you’ll need will depend on how long you want your garland to be and where you plan to hang it.

The supplies you'll need for a DIY Valentine garland include heart suit playing cards, scissors, hole punch, and ribbon.

Heart Suit Playing Cards: The main decoration of the garland.
Assorted Ribbons: Use a mix of patterns and textures like striped, gingham, and heart stamped ribbon to add charm between each card.
Hole Punch: Creates two holes at the top of each card so they can be strung together on the ribbon.
Scissors: For cutting ribbon to length and trimming excess.

materials you’ll need

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I’m Heidi, the heart and hands behind Eleanor Rose Home.

Heidi and her dachshund rescue Eleanor Roosevelt.

I’ll show you that your home can become a place of warmth, comfort, and style with practical tips, creative ideas, and my own journey to help you create a space that feels like you…welcoming, personal, and full of charm.

More About me See more DIYS

How to Make This Easy DIY Garland

Follow these step-by-step instructions and you’ll have a cozy Valentine decoration ready to hang in no time at all.

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01

Prepare the Playing Cards

Start by selecting the heart suits from a deck of cards. Using a hole punch, punch two holes at the top of each playing card, spacing them somewhat evenly so the card hangs straight once strung.

02

String the Cards

Thread a 5/8″ gingham ribbon through the holes at the top of each card, stringing them one by one. You can thread the ribbon so that it either goes over the top of the playing card or behind it. Either way works!

COZY TIP: Do not worry about making this garland perfectly spaced or uniform. Slightly uneven ribbon lengths, mixed patterns, and a relaxed knots are what give it cozy charm.

03

Add Ribbon Knots Between Each Card

Cut 3 different ribbons into 18″ sections. Then, between each playing card, tie a mix of the ribbons directly onto the gingham ribbon. I used a striped ribbon, gingham ribbon, and heart ribbon, tying each one in a simple knot.

COZY TIP: Trim the ends of your ribbon into an upside-down V shape (called a fishtail or banner cut). It’s a small detail, but I promise, it will make your garland look more polished.

04

Adjust the Length

The length of your garland will depend on where you plan to hang it. A mantel might need a longer strand, while a shelf or window frame can be shorter. Once you’ve reached your desired length, trim the ribbon and leave a little extra on each end for hanging.

DIY heart playing card valentine garland hanging on secretary desk for Valentine's Day.

Helpful Tips

Heart playing cards are perfect for Valentine’s Day, but you could make this garland with any suit. You can even mix suits or reuse this idea for other seasons and holidays.
If you have playing cards that have a pretty backside, turn some of the cards around to show the pattern on the banner.
I found a thinner ribbon like 3/8″ or 5/8″ worked best for threading through the playing cards and kept the garland from feeling bulky and heavy.
Leaving the ribbon knots a little loose helps everything drape naturally once the garland is hung.

Heart garland for the season of love with this easy step-by-step guide.

You Might Also Love

If garlands are your thing, be sure to check out this other Valentine banner on the blog. It’s just as easy to make and has that same cozy, nostalgic feel.

check it out

Ideas on Where to Hang Your Valentine Garland

This Valentine garland is lightweight and flexible, which makes it easy to style in so many spots around your home.

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Here are ideas on where to hang it:

On a Mantel: Drape it loosely over a mantel and layer it with framed art, candlesticks, or a mirror.
Draped on Open Shelving or Hutch: Let it hang across shelves in the kitchen or dining room for a subtle touch of Valentine charm.
Above a Console Table or Sideboard: Pair it with a simple tray, a small lamp, or a vase of faux or fresh florals.

DIY Valentine's Day decoration in cozy home decor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different suit of cards?
Absolutely. While heart cards are perfect for Valentine’s Day, this idea would work with any suit for other seasons or themes.

What if I don’t have gingham ribbon?
Any thin ribbon, twine, or string will work as the base. I just think gingham adds a little extra coziness.

Can this garland be reused next year?
Yes! Store it flat in a shallow bin or hang it on a hanger to keep the ribbons from wrinkling.