These are the best ideas to decorate with Christmas bells this holiday season! Whether you like to hang bells from a wreath or drape them across a fireplace mantel, decorating with bells at Christmastime is a charming tradition.
With so many ways to decorate with bells, there may be a few you haven't thought of that would look festive in your home!
Learn how to decorate with Christmas bells 5 ways.
This post may contain affiliate links which we may receive a small commission when some items are purchased at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure.
The Charm of Bells at the Holidays
The sound of bells rings throughout the Christmas season, as everyone dots about buying presents, baking cookies, and decorating the tree. Across snow covered street corners to bustling department stores, bells charm their way into every moment at Christmas.
If you're here, you may love bells as much as I do! The sound that harkens back to bygone eras rings a little different around the holiday season. It carries more weight, hanging in the crisp air, somehow ringing brighter than at any other time of year.
Could it be the magic of Christmas? If you believe.
Where to Buy Christmas Bells
Around the Christmas holiday season, you will easily find various types of bells at big-box retailers and craft stores, such as Target, Home Depot, Michael's, and Hobby Lobby.
A tip is to go beyond the conventional by shopping local antique and thrift stores throughout the year, but especially leading up to Christmas. Vendors typically create displays of their curated holiday themed goods, many of which are one-of-a-kind, unique pieces you will not find anywhere else.
One year, I found a couple of lovely vintage brass French horns that I use to decorate our tree and fireplace mantel with. I also came across a very large Norman Rockwell book that looks festive styled on our entry console at Christmastime.
With antique and thrift stores, the key is to visit often. Also, check with staff to help point you to vendors that typically curate Christmas decor year-round. You may have to dig, but that is part of the fun when thrifting or antiquing. You are trying to find treasure, after all.
Boutique retailers are another great place to get Christmas bells. A few of my favorite shops include:
- Brooke & Lou - One of my all-time favorite online shops, with a new brick-and-mortar store in Charleston, SC, Brooke & Lou is a home decor store owned by the exquisitely talented Bria Hammel Interiors. Each year, they launch a Christmas collection with pretty bells, bows, and ornaments to deck the halls. I have purchased many Christmas decor pieces from them over the years. I recommend signing up to receive their emails, because they share sales, new launches, and great interior design tips you will love.
- House of Jade Home - This is another place to source beautiful holiday decor before Christmas. They are specifically known for having an assortment of the sweetest ginger bread houses in various sizes. Be sure to check their website or social channels for announcements.
- Elements by Remedy - Along with interior design services, Elements by Remedy has an online shop as well as a brick-and-mortar store offering home decor and furnishings. Before Christmas, they begin stocking holiday decor you have to see, and maybe get for yourself.
Amazon is another great place to get bells. They carry a large assortment of bells compared to other retailers. Plus, you can shop for them anytime of year. Check out my curated Christmas bells list over on the Mornington Lane Amazon Storefront and more great finds!
Tip:
Sign up to receive emails from shops you like. You may gain access to exclusive sales, coupons, and more.
Ways to Decorate with Christmas Bells
Over the years, I have included bells in some way, shape, or form in our holiday decorations. Each time I think of a new way to style bells, our home looks even more cozy and charming!
From wreaths to garland on a staircase, you can't go wrong incorporating many different colors and styles of bells among your Christmas decorations.
What follows are 5 Christmas bell decoration ideas to try in your own home this holiday season!
Hang Bells from Wreaths
Hanging bells from wreaths may be one of the most popular methods to decorate with bells at Christmas. You have most likely come across a wreath hanging on a front door, decked out with a string of bells. Each time the door opens, the sound of bells fills the crisp air.
A few years ago, I decided to decorate our island counter stools and two glass front kitchen cabinets with mini wreaths. Dripping with charm, every year since it has become a tradition. In keeping with whatever color palette I choose that year, I simply change out the ribbons.
One recent Christmas, I added brass bells (similar). I removed the rustic rope they came with, stringing the bells with pretty ribbon instead.
I especially love how the brass looks against ribbons of different colors and textures. How charming do little bells look hanging from a mini wreath? You really can't go wrong!
You can read How to Hang Wreaths on Chairs and How to Hang Wreaths on Cabinets to get the look in your own home this holiday season.
String Bells Across a Fireplace Mantel
Do you have a fireplace? Why not string bells (safely, of course) across the mantel? You will be delighted once you see how festive it looks!
I used a similar string of bells to this one to decorate our mantel. To style the bells, I made two swoops, draping the bells across the mantel front, and securing it in the middle.
Sometimes, I simply weave a string of bells among the garland atop the mantel. It adds interest as well as some shine against an otherwise sea of matte greenery. Read Christmas Mantel Decorating Ideas for more details.
Add Bells to Staircase Garland
There is something nostalgic about Christmas garland winding up a staircase. Perhaps it comes from scenes in classic Christmas movies, where homes are decked out to the nines. Decorated staircases all seem to be exceptionally fluffy with garlands and elegant bows from top to bottom.
Take this opportunity to make a special moment. Add bells at the bottom newel post using 2 or 3 different ribbons to accentuate everything.
For our Cozy Coastal Inspired Christmas one year, I used brass bells (similar), nestled between layers of a gorgeous pale blue satin ribbon, taupe and white stripe ribbon, and caramel saddle-stitch ribbon to create the most enchanting moment!
You could also hang one bell per bow leading up the staircase for an extra special moment. Or, string bells with garland along the staircase to make it even more impactful.
Check out the How to Hang Garland on Stairs post for all the tips to get the look you want.
Decorate the Tree with Bells
Is a Christmas tree complete without bell ornaments of some kind? Some say no, and I am one of them.
I love Christmas bell ornaments. Silver, gold, or any color of the rainbow, bell ornaments make a Christmas tree feel wonderfully festive!
When Christmas decor begins making its way into stores, don't forget to look at bell ornaments. This year, I have my eye on these mini silver bell wreaths. I can just imagine the delightful ring they sound out when shaken.
Many years ago, I bought a few of two different sized brassy gold metal bell ornaments shown in the photo of our tree below. I love the unique shape and the distressing that makes them look timeworn.
Sadly, they no longer make these, at the time, very popular bells.
Style Bells with Everyday Decor
A few seasons ago, I styled a few decorative vases around our home with ribbon. After the holiday ended, I found the ribbons to be so charming mixed in with our everyday decor that I left them. The same is true of bells.
I recently used a dusty blue velvet ribbon (similar) to tie this pretty brass bell around a vase and I just love how charming it looks with our usual decor.
Style festive Christmas bells with your everyday decor, including
- Hanging bells above artwork or a mirror with swag greenery
- Placing a handful of bells in a bowl on a coffee table or entry console
- Stringing a bell on ribbon and tying it around a vase
When the holiday is over, you just may find yourself leaving the bells where they are.
This set of very large brass bells live year-round in a paper mache bowl in our living room bookshelves.
Truly, there are near endless ways to decorate with Christmas bells. Try different types of bells and places to hang them to make your home even more festive this holiday season!
How do you style bells at Christmas? Leave a comment below as others may also like to know as well!
Leave a Reply