It might feel early, but Christmas trees and gingerbread houses are already popping up online, which means December is closer than you think. Planning holiday mantel decor now gives you a head start before all the good stuff, like faux garlands, sells out. This way, you can find affordable decorations without rushing at the last minute. Simple touches like lights, stockings, and greenery will make your mantel feel festive and cozy. Spreading out your shopping also helps with budgeting. Save ideas you like by bookmarking or pinning them for later. When it’s time to decorate, you’ll have everything ready to go. A little planning now means more time to relax during the holidays.
Deck Out Your Fireplace Mantel For Christmas
First things first, head over to Wayfair for their Big Holiday Sale, where you can grab all your holiday decor essentials with up to 60% off and fast shipping. But don’t wait—10/18 is the last day to save! Now, let’s talk garland. I’m using a faux pine garland from Wayfair this year. Before you judge, hear me out—fake greenery is a game-changer. Every time I use live garland, the needles fall off, leaving my mantel looking bare and messy. Plus, I can’t stand dealing with the sticky sap. Faux garlands solve both problems and keep things looking festive all season long!
While unboxing the pine garland, I worried the pinecones might be too big since they were the size of my palm. But once on the mantel, they looked perfect—any smaller, and they’d get lost in the needles. To make the garland look full, I bend and twist the branches until they resemble real pine boughs. The secret to fluffy garland? Double it up! I layer two garlands together, and if they start slipping off the mantel, I twist the branches to keep them in place. The extra weight helps it stay secure and gives a fuller, more polished look.
Secret Styling Tip To Make Your Faux Garland Look Real
Once your garland is secured with a twist or two, it’s time to bend and twist the individual branches. This step makes the garland look more realistic, giving it that fresh-from-the-forest vibe. I’ve mentioned this trick before when talking about styling faux plants. If you skip this part, the garland will look like it just came out of the box, which takes away from the natural feel. Play around with the branches, adjusting them until they look right. The more you shape and fluff them, the better the final result will be. It’s a small effort that makes a big difference in achieving a polished holiday mantel.
You don’t need all the pinecones to face the front. Some can twist toward the back, some can point up, and others can face forward. This makes your garland look more natural because, just like on a real pine tree, pinecones grow in different directions. If everything faces one way, it can look too perfect and fake. Letting the pinecones twist in various ways adds depth and makes the arrangement feel more organic. So don’t stress about getting every pinecone in the “right” spot—random angles will make your garland look even more realistic and charming.
Keep It Cozy With Candles
To make my holiday mantel look better, I add candleholders and LED flameless candles. I used chunky wooden candleholders from Wayfair in different heights, which adds depth and keeps the display interesting. While real candles have a nice glow, I prefer flameless ones since I once forgot to blow out a candle and left it burning overnight. Now, I don’t have to worry about fires. Flameless candles still create a cozy feel without the risk, making them perfect for my mantel decoration.
Make Your Holiday Mantel Meaningful
Finally, I add a special touch with the homemade crocheted Christmas stockings my mom made for our family. She made them for me, my dad, and my sister when I was little. Back then, I thought all stockings looked like this because she also made them for close friends. I didn’t realize how special they were until a few years ago. They bring back great memories of the holidays. Funny enough, my mom doesn’t like making these stockings! They take a lot of time, especially if someone has a long name. Still, I love these unique stockings that connect me to my family.
Extra Flair For Your Holiday Mantel Decor
To add some color to your Christmas mantel, try using velvet wire ribbon. You can weave it through the garland or make bows for a fun touch. Just stick to a color scheme to keep everything looking nice together. I recently bought leather baskets from Wayfair, and the smaller one is perfect for holding cozy throw blankets on the hearth. I use weighted mantel hooks to keep my stockings in place instead of command strips. These hooks also help hold my thick garland securely, especially if your mantel is shallow. That’s it—easy and affordable holiday mantel decor!
