Festoon means to decorate something by draping chains of flowers, ribbons, paper, or fabric in graceful loops and curves. When you festoon a room for a party, you might hang colorful streamers from corner to corner, letting them dip and sway in elegant arcs. A ballroom festooned with garlands looks dressed up and celebratory, like it's wearing fancy jewelry.

Today you might see school hallways festooned with paper chains during the holidays, or a wedding tent festooned with strings of lights and flowing fabric.

As a noun, a festoon is one of those decorative loops itself. The three festoons of bunting hanging across the stage give it a patriotic look. The word suggests something cheerful and abundant rather than minimal or plain. When something is festooned with decorations, they're draped generously, creating a sense of festivity and joy. It's the difference between taping one banner to a wall and draping swirling garlands throughout an entire room.