How To Decorate A Mantel For Christmas

Holidays | December 2, 2020

PIN NOW, SAVE FOR LATER

The mantel and fireplace are some of the most beloved places to decorate for Christmas. I am going to share with you five Christmas mantel decor items and fireplace surroundings ideas.

Santa comes down the chimney on Christmas eve, right!? The fireplace and mantel areas are some of the most beloved places to decorate for Christmas. Whether you are sitting by a warm fire or enjoying a cup of a warm coffee, gazing at these holiday infused spaces just feels warm and cozy for the holiday season.

Chunky blanket in basket

Over the years I’ve shared variations of how I’ve decorated my mantel (you can check the most recent ones HERE and HERE). But there are definitely timeless decorations when embellishing your mantel, which I am going to share with you below. Let’s get started with these five Christmas mantel decor pieces!

Inspiration piece

Christmas Mantel Decor

Large Holiday Art Or Other Focus Piece For Your Mantel

I always start here with my Christmas mantel decorating! This is the piece that you LOVE and will bring all the other decisions together. This can be a Christmas wood sign or text from your favorite Christmas song (you can also layer a large piece with 2-3 medium-sized pieces for a beautiful look too). It can also be something you already have above your mantel like a large mirror or architectural piece. I typically lean my pieces but you can also hang them above your mantel.

Here are some of my favorites:

Fall On Your Knees artwork HERE.
A Thrill Of Hope artwork HERE.
Nativity Wood Sign HERE.
Vintage Inspired, Gleaming Primrose Mirror HERE.
Several Christmas Sign Options HERE.
Christmas mantel

Greenery For Your Mantel

You have to incorporate greenery into your Christmas mantel decor, right?! But what you choose to use is up to you! Faux or real? Simple, draped garland or thick strands of garland with oversized jingle bells tied to them? You can also use wreaths to hang above your wall art (or another focus piece) to give added height, as well as, small Christmas trees like you see here. Want to add ribbon to your garland? I’ve shared how I trim my tree HERE; use the same rules for garland!

Here are some of my favorites:

Woodland Cedar & Pine 9′ Garland HERE.
Pine Wreath HERE.
Golden Hour Wreath HERE.
Pre-Lit Pine Cone and Berry Flocked Garland HERE.
Pre-Lit Spruce Garland HERE.

Christmas mantel view

Lights And/Or Candles For Your Mantel

Just like with greenery, you have several options with your lights too, and you sure don’t want to miss using these on your Christmas mantel decor and fireplace surroundings. I love having Christmas lights strung through the garland. Another element to consider is candles (real or battery powered); the glow at night + the fire just shouts, cozy Christmas feels! Candlesticks in brass candle holders, several battery-powered candles lining the mantel itself, or lanterns…the options are limitless.

Here are some of my favorites:

12 Pack Battery Powered Candles HERE.
2 Pack Fairy Lights HERE.
Favorite Scented Candles HERE.
Flickering, Flameless Taper Candles HERE.
Indoor/Outdoor Lanterns HERE.
Antique Porch Post Candle Holders HERE.

Stockings

Stockings For You Mantel

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nick would soon be here…”, stockings are a timeless Christmas mantel decor item, aren’t they? I enjoy seeing all kinds of stockings, from ones as I used here (sweater-like material with fur) to handmade, quilted ones. Don’t forget to add personalized stocking tags like these here! Your children will love seeing them hung by the chimney year to year, especially when they awake Christmas morning to see them full of goodies!

Here are some of my favorites:

Plaid, personalized stocking HERE.
Cable knit stocking HERE.
Faux fur stocking HERE.
Crocheted Christmas stocking handmade HERE.

Christmas Themed Decor For Your Mantel

If you have a collection you love, the mantel is a great place to display it! It may be a mix of your favorite trinkets or a grouping on each side of the large piece but using sentimental pieces is always a good idea. You can also sprinkle Christmas themed decor such as reindeer, Santas, nutcrackers, and more.

Here are some of my favorites:

Standing Deer HERE.
Wood-beaded Garland, MERRY CHRISTMAS Garland, and other items seen in this post head HERE.
Garland draped across the front of the mantel

Don’t forget the fireplace surround when decorating for Christmas. A few quick decor tips:

Add an oversized basket to display and hold blankets and pillows.
Place a pre-lit, smaller Christmas tree on one side of the fireplace.
Using real wood for your fires? Stack and display it in a log holder like this one here.
Stack gifts (but keep a clear distance from the actual fireplace).
Utilize Christmas themed decor (make sure sizing is in proportion with your surround).
Basket with blanket and pillow

Decorating your mantel for Christmas is really fun to do year to year! By incorporating these Christmas mantel decor items, you can create a festive and inviting feeling throughout the holidays.

Today I’m joining some of my talented blogging friends for the Christmas Seasonal Simplicity Series. We’re all sharing our holiday mantel decor with you – be sure to check out these fabulous Christmas mantel decor ideas by clicking on the links below each image.