Christmas Mantel Decorating Ideas: Easy Ways to Change Up Your Look
Inside: Christmas mantel decorating ideas using garland, ribbon, ornaments, wreaths, and stockings, with easy ways to create different looks using decorations you already have.
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There was a time in my life when decorating for Christmas was a whole lot easier.
I knew exactly where everything went because I’d bought most of my decorations with a particular spot in mind. Every year, I’d pull out the boxes, put the decorations back in their usual place, and call it done.
Then I started blogging. Which meant this simple system wasn’t going to cut it anymore. I needed things to look a little different from year to year. But I certainly wasn’t going to buy all new Christmas decorations every time.
This necessity to get creative for the blog has taught me quite a few ways to make a Christmas mantel look different without starting over! And if I’m being honest, even though changing things up takes more time, it’s also more fun.
So whether you’re working with decorations you’ve had for years or starting from scratch, I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learned along the way that might help you with your own Christmas mantel!
Start With Christmas Garland.
For me, the greenery is what makes a Christmas mantel. Even when I change the ribbon, ornaments, or other decorations, I almost always start with a good, full garland (and by good, I don’t necessarily mean expensive).
Layer Garlands for a Fuller Look.
One of my favorite tricks is layering two or three inexpensive garlands together to give them a much fuller look. You can use several of the same kind, or mix different types of greenery like pine, cedar, and fir for more texture and a natural look.
Want a fuller, more realistic Christmas garland? See how I combine inexpensive garlands to make them look lush and expensive.
Choose How to Arrange Your Garland.
You can change up the look of the same garland just by how you hang it on the mantel.
- Draped on both ends: Let the greenery hang down on either side for a traditional, symmetrical look.
- Draped on one end: Let the greenery cascade down one side for a more casual, asymmetrical arrangement.
- Swagged across the front: Create one or more swags across the front of the mantel instead of running the greenery straight across the top.
I’ve used all three arrangements over the years, depending on the fireplace and the decorations I’m using. When I create swags, I secure the garland with removable Command hooks to hold it in place.
Need help hanging your Christmas garland? See my easy ways to hang Christmas decorations without damaging your walls or mantel, including garlands, wreaths, and stockings.
Add Greenery and Berry Picks for More Interest.
Another way I add fullness and interest to my Christmas garlands is with greenery picks. Cedar branches are great for filling in bare spots, while magnolia leaves add a different shape and give the garland that traditional Southern look I love.
I also like using berry picks to change the look from year to year. Red berries give the garland a more traditional Christmas look, while white berries add lightness and contrast against the greenery. And since the picks are separate, I can easily switch them out without buying a whole new garland!
I also sometimes tuck battery-operated fairy lights into the garland for a little extra glow at night. I’ve found that adding them after the greenery is arranged but before the ribbon and ornaments works best. It’s tempting to wait until everything else is finished, but then it’s much harder to weave the lights through the branches and get them where you want them. Of course, I usually end up rearranging a few branches anyway!
Add Christmas Ribbon for Color and Texture.
Ribbon is one of my favorite ways to change the look of a Christmas mantel without changing everything else. I’ve used everything from traditional red velvet to sheer gold, depending on the colors I’m decorating with that year.
Ribbon is an easy way to add color and “tie” the mantel in with the rest of the room and Christmas tree (pun intended).
And ribbon doesn’t have to mean big, elaborate bows. I like to tuck loops of ribbon into the greenery, weave it loosely through the garland, or use it just at the ends with the tails trailing down the sides of the mantel.
I usually choose wider, wired ribbon because it shows up better and doesn’t look skimpy from across the room. Plus, I can shape the loops and tails so they stay where I want them.
Add Ornaments and Other Christmas Decorations.
Once the greenery and ribbon are in place, I like to add ornaments and other Christmas decorations to fill in the arrangement and bring in more color, texture, and sparkle.
I’ve used everything from oversized gold bells and a trio of angels to reindeer, candlesticks, and ornaments tucked into the garland. I like mixing decorations of different heights so everything doesn’t sit in one straight line, and shiny ornaments or metallic accents look especially pretty against the greenery and natural pinecones.
And I haven’t forgotten about decorating above the mantel. This red berry wreath has seen many a Christmas hanging on different mirrors in my home. Some years I’ve added a bow, and other years I’ve left it just as it is.
If you don’t have a mirror, a wreath hung directly on the wall or a piece of Christmas artwork works just as well. You could also drape a little greenery across the top of an existing framed picture to make it part of the Christmas decorations. And if you have a TV above the fireplace, there’s no need to decorate the wall at all.
Finish With Christmas Stockings.
Christmas stockings are usually one of the last things I add to the mantel. They don’t have to match the decorations exactly, but choosing stockings that coordinate with the ribbon or other colors helps pull everything together.
Stockings don’t necessarily have to be spaced evenly across the fireplace, either. Some years I’ve grouped them together on one side, and other times hung them in pairs at opposite ends, depending on the mantel arrangement.
One thing I’ve learned with really full garlands is to pay attention to where the stockings will hang when arranging the greenery. Otherwise, the greenery can end up hiding the pretty cuffs that are often the best part of the stockings!
How Do You Decorate a Christmas Mantel Step by Step?
The easiest way to decorate a Christmas mantel is to start with a full garland, then add greenery picks, lights, ribbon, and Christmas decorations. Finish with the stockings and make any adjustments once you can see how everything looks together.
- Start with the garland. Arrange it across the mantel, letting it drape or swag wherever you like.
- Add greenery and berry picks. Fill in bare spots and add color and texture.
- Add fairy lights if you’re using them. Tuck them into the greenery before adding the rest of the decorations, keeping the battery box hidden but easy to reach.
- Work in the ribbon. Tuck loops and tails among the branches or let them trail down the ends.
- Add Christmas decorations. Fill in with ornaments and other accents for color, height, and shine.
- Hang the stockings. Position them where they work best with the garland.
Once everything is in place, I like to step back and look at the mantel from across the room. That’s usually when I notice something that needs moving or a spot that could use a little more greenery.
Refresh Your Christmas Mantel Without Starting Over.
As I’ve been looking back through photos of my Christmas mantels for this post, it’s really struck me how many of the same decorations I’ve used year after year. Yet somehow, each mantel has ended up looking different, depending on the style I was going for that Christmas. Or maybe just what I was in the mood for at the time.
I may have started changing my Christmas decorating out of necessity for the blog, but I’ve come to embrace and enjoy the challenge of making things look different without buying all new decorations. Besides, isn’t it a woman’s prerogative to change her mind?
And if you loved the way your mantel looked last year, there’s no reason to change a thing. But it’s nice to know you can if you feel like it. 😉
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