Coming up with Christmas mantel decorating ideas starts with a spark of creativity. Maybe you have a color palette in mind, or perhaps there is a specific look you're going for. Whatever the case, get the base right and the rest will fall into place.
Over the years, I have styled our mantel many different ways at the holidays. So, if you're looking for inspiration on how to style your own fireplace mantel this holiday season, this is the post for you! These are the best fireplace Christmas mantel decor ideas to inspire your holiday decorating.
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Tips to Decorate a Christmas Fireplace Mantel
It is tempting to jump right in and start decorating for Christmas. Songs of the season play on repeat, while donation bells ring outside stores as you shop for presents. Scents of cinnamon and peppermint linger on the cool, crisp evening air. What could be more cozy and comforting?
Before diving to decorate your fireplace for the Christmas holiday, keep these tips in mind to help you stay on track and achieve the look you want.
Make a Plan and Gather Inspiration
Start by taking a little time to make a plan. When I say plan, think about a theme or a look you really like when it comes to holiday decorating. Create a board on Pinterest to gather inspiration pictures in one place. Be sure to check out the Mornington Lane Christmas Holiday pinterest board for inspiration.
After you've pinned several pictures, review your board. You may notice a pattern emerging, whether it's a similar style, color palette or use of decorations.
Decide on a Color Palette
Deciding on a color palette is the second step to considering Christmas mantel decorating.
Years ago, decorating in traditional Christmas holiday colors of red, green, silver, and gold was the way to go. Today, anything goes.
Throughout the years I have created a Dreamy Pastel Christmas theme, a Cozy Coastal Holiday theme, and a Captivating Christmas with Flowers theme. Even at the holidays now, I tend to stick with a similar color palette to our everyday decor, with dusty blues, soft blush pinks, creams and whites, and sage green. It's calming and it makes me happy.
Last Christmas our mantel and tree were decked out in blues and pinks with flowers over greenery. The same pink and blue color palette made its way into our presents. Check out the whimsical pink and blue gift wrap ideas post for inspiration. Whatever colors make you happy are what you should decorate with.
Get Holiday Decorations
Decorating a fireplace for Christmas is one of infinite possibilities. You've done the research on a style and chosen the look you're going for. Now, you should have a sense of what decor you'll need.
Don't necessarily source supplies, such as ornaments, bows and garland, from one place. Some of the best home decor stores carry unique Christmas decorations during the holidays. McGee & Co., Wayfair, Michaels, Acres Market & Interiors (formerly Monika Hibbs Home), Brooke & Lou, House of Jade Home, Elements by Remedy, Wayfair, Michaels, and Amazon have an assortment of decor to choose from at the holidays.Sign up for their emails to get early access to sales and exclusive offers.
Tip:
Sign up for retailer emails and newsletters and you may get early access to sales and exclusive offers.
Head to the store in-person or online to get all the supplies you need, which may include:
- Garland - Cedar, pine, eucalyptus, and spruce are all great options for garland. For an elevated, full look, layer multiple garlands or different styles of garland. Our mantel is usually decorated with both cedar and eucalyptus, which looks gorgeous when combined. Read how to hang garland on mantel for tips as well as a list of the best places to buy faux garland.
- Ornaments - Keep your color palette in mind when purchasing ornaments. Moreover, consider materials, such as glass versus plastic.
- Stockings and Holders - Get creative when it comes to stockings. I highly recommend checking out Etsy. You can find one-of-a-kind holiday stockings, like the beautiful Christmas stockings we have on our mantel, while supporting small businesses at the same time. Don't forget you may need stocking holders to hang them by.
- Ribbon and/or bows - Craft stores oftentimes have the best selection of ribbon. From satin and chiffon to velvet, create a small collection of ribbon and save scraps you can use next year or for craft projects.
- Other holiday decorations - Layer wreaths, led flicker candles, trees (i.e., ceramic, wood), and other holiday decorations on top of the mantel.
Styling a Christmas Mantel
With your decor and other supplies gathered together, now comes the fun part: decorating! Refer back to your inspiration pictures to give you ideas as you're decorating the fireplace for Christmas. Check out the Christmas fireplace mantel decor ideas that follow.
Tip:
Have all of the decorations laid out in front of you to easily see what you're working with.
Mix Greenery Garlands
Do you love the look of evergreen garland on a mantel? I do too! Lush garland makes it feel so much more cozy at the holidays, doesn't it? Several years ago I began layering two different types of garland on our mantel.
First, I place evergreen garlands along the top and down one or both sides. Then, I weave in eucalyptus garland (similar) all throughout to give it a fuller look as well as add variation. I love how it looks so much that I have done this every year since.
You may have come across designers who mix greenery on their mantel as well. One tip is to try before you buy. Go to Michael's, At Home, Hobby Lobby, or a local shop to see how different garlands look together.
Add Stems and Picks
To make your garland look even fuller, add florals, stems, and berry picks. Whether you like traditional red berry picks, flocked stems, or poinsettia flowers, you are bound to develop a style all your own.
I found blue flocked berry stems and soft blush pink berry stems many years ago from one of my favorite online shops, Brooke and Lou. You will usually find them or something similar around Christmas on their website. Darby Creek Trading is another great resource to check out year-round or at the holidays.
Have you tried adding flowers to your mantel? Traditional holiday flowers, such as poinsettias, are a wonderful way to style a mantel. Not only do they fill gaps nicely, but they are very festive.
I have large white flowers for our mantel, tree, and staircase. You may be able to find the large white flowers at HomeGoods near Christmas like I did. Also, I added these beige pink peonies last year and I love the soft look. I placed them in a large vase in our living room after the season.
Use the same picks and stems on your tree, staircase, or anywhere you like to tie it all together.
Style with Nutcrackers, Tiny Trees, and Other Holiday Decor
Mini ceramic houses, nutcrackers, and plenty of tiny trees bring a charming traditional touch to mantel styling. Today, nutcrackers come in different colors and styles. Some are over the top colorful, while others are natural craft wood that you can leave as is or makeover to fit your style.
Our nutcrackers are plain wood, but I have dressed them up with a bow tie using this blue velvet ribbon. Mini wooly white trees feature similar ribbons as well.
Gingerbread houses have been popular at Christmastime for what seems like forever, and would only elevate a charming mantel holiday scheme. Sometimes I decorate our mantel with a collection of mini white ceramic houses.
Drape Nostalgic Orange Garland
Add a nostalgic feel by making DIY Orange Garland for your mantel. Orange garland gives a lovely drape when mixed with greenery garlands. Moreover, a light citrus smell may just waft across your room.
I made orange garland last year for our mantel, because I wanted that cozy charming feel. It does take quite a bit of time to make, but it makes for a fun family holiday activity!
Ribbons and Bows
Would a mantel be complete without a big bow or long, draping ribbon? Garland styled all pretty on a Christmas fireplace feels extra special when you add bows at the sides (or one side if you are going for an asymmetrical look).
Don't be afraid to try a patterned ribbon or add texture using velvet or burlap ribbon for bows. Refer back to your color palette with a creative eye.
In years past, I have used soft mushroom colored 1 ½ inch frayed edge velvet ribbon, pink satin ribbon, and other ribbons to decorate our mantel. Read the post 9 Ways to Decorate with Ribbon for Christmas for even more ideas.
Hang Stockings
When you think of a cozy Christmas evening by firelight, do you picture stockings hung by the fireplace? Stockings are quintessential mantel decor. Hang stockings across the middle, off to one side, or from both sides, any way you hang them feels cozy and inviting.
I bought our gorgeous set of stockings many years ago from a wonderful shop on Etsy called AngieandLois (I am not affiliated or sponsored, I just love the stockings I bought from them). They sell the most beautiful Christmas stockings that are made with high-quality fabric that is thicker than typical stockings. Don't get me started on the lovely complementary color tones and patterns of the fabric. How about those charming buttons? I hope you can tell by the photos just how stunning these heirloom stockings truly are.
Layer in Ornaments
Try layering ornaments on top of the garland. If your garland drapes down the sides, you could also hang ornaments down the sides. Using the same or similar ornaments on a mantel that you also have on your tree further connects your whole space together.
I have placed ornaments on top of our mantel throughout the years. One year, natural wood ornaments in various shapes combined with frosty blue ball ornaments for a lighter feel.
There are so many ways to decorate your mantel for the holidays. Do you have a go-to style or do you change it up each year? Leave a comment below!
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