Q&A for How to String Popcorn on a Christmas Tree

No, because it might go all crumbly, making an unpleasant mess for next year. Also, remember that it is a food, and will decompose, and possibly attract bugs. It is a cheap and easy enough project to redo the following year, and in fact, can become a fun, family tradition.

Place the popcorn strings higher than the pet can reach. Do not put it on if the pet is so determined that it might climb the tree to pull it off, as this presents a risk to the pet and you, of the tree falling down. You could always hang the popcorn garlands across the top of a window or wall if the pet will only ruin it on the tree.

Just spray your strings with a stain like Minwax a couple of times, and store them in a paper grocery bag after Christmas. I've had mine for 10+ years with minimal to no breakage of kernels.

No. Try using a plastic needle.

It can be stale, as long as it isn't crumbling or too hard for you to string it. Try it to see if it works -- if it does, great and if not, compost it.

If you want to, but remember it has been hanging on your tree for a month.

Plastic needles work best, especially for children. As for the string, you could use yarn or some sort of light-duty, thin rope

Only do about 5 feet of garland at a time. That keeps it from getting tangled.

You can start stringing it as soon as it has cooled down, so you can do it same day.

It will only get stale, but it will look its best in the first couple weeks.

Yes. You are still using a thread-like substance, and the floss isn't going to be hard enough to pierce the popcorn on its own.

If you are experiencing problems with pests, then don't have a popcorn string on your tree, as it might attract more. If you are unhappy with the pests, and you've tried home solutions and they've not worked, then call an exterminator to get rid of them.

Sure, but it may look weird and be hard to do. Popcorn is traditional and easier to poke through because it is soft. I'm not going to be the one to stop you from using real corn though.

Hairspray works for when I string popcorn on the tree, but if you aren't planning to eat the popcorn I wouldn't spray it with hairspray as it stinks up around the tree for a day or so. As long as you use plain popcorn, no the garland should not smell if it goes stale.