Decorating Stairways and Newell Posts.

Because I was decorating for a business, when I decorated the staircases, I had to make sure there was 1-2 foot open space on the banister. For safety reasons this is always best. 

I used 9 foot green garland. Could be blue spruce like my first picture, or American Fir short and long needle. What ever kind you like. When the stairs have horizontal spindles you'll need to wind the greenery through every fourth spindle. Loop the greenery over the top and skip three spindles to wrap again. This way the greenery loops always have the same distance between them. I don't as a rule use lit garland here. Again for safety sake. You wouldn't want anyone to trip on the cords.

I keep the decorations here pretty simple. I usually place a bow at the top of the loop or on the banister rail. I use berries and flowers along with the ribbon. Typically I match the ribbon and flowers to the closest Christmas tree. 

This picture shows blue spruce short needle garland. I used a metallic pink ribbon. The berries and flowers are mixed pink, mauve and burgundy. The newell post is the same with a larger bow and the flowers hanging like a swag.

On this banister and staircase I used American fir short needled. I did not swag, or create large hanging droops. I kept it very tight. This is an extremely wide staircase and the banisters needed to not catch on luggage as it went up the stairs. This time I used ribbon only. I used three types of ribbon to make the bow. I used a number 40 paisley ribbon for the bottom and two thinner ribbons called french ribbon. The colors were blue, purple, green and a little mauve. This is simple but elegant.

If you like you could loop in beaded garland and even hang bulbs from the stair rail. I just recommend that it isn't used as much, or you may have broken ornaments. In one of the homes I visited the folks used the largest elf (see: Putting collectables in the tree) sliding down the rail backwards like some kids/adults like to do and had a couple more hanging off their chandelier on the stairway landing. I loved it!