Stylish Christmas Mantel Decor

Last Updated on February 18, 2023

Christmas is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll be decorating your home. Let’s get into the holiday spirit and make our homes warm and cozy with the best Christmas mantel decor. I’m excited to start decorating this year because it will be my first time styling the newly remodeled brick fireplace. Here’s what I have thus far…just kinda playing around.

RELATED: Be sure to check out my latest post for everyday mantel decor ideas and expert styling tips. .

Lambs Ears Faux Garland – SHOP IT HERE

Battery Operated Candles (with remote) – SHOP IT HERE

Brass Colored Pine Trees (set of 3) – SHOP IT HERE

5 Easy Christmas Mantel Decorating Ideas

1. Stick to a Color Palette

Decorating your mantel is like designing a room – you want to stick to a color palette. My Christmas tree is decorated in a heavy green and red theme because the ornaments are every color of the rainbow. They are primarily from my childhood or ornaments gifted to my children. To balance the color palette, I use only white lights and red ribbon, which works with the green tree. It’s very sentimental – you can take a closer look at it here for the holiday home tour or my post on holiday decorating ideas for your home.

2. Real vs. Faux Garland

If you’re new here, let it be known that I’m a sucker for faux plants that look real. Don’t believe me, check out my post on faux olive trees and faux fiddle fig leaf trees. Now, when it comes to garland hung on a mantel, I love the look of real garland over faux, but that being said, if you will be decorating your mantel shortly after Thanksgiving, your real garland used indoors will dry out within 2-3 weeks even when it’s properly cared for.

3. Add Texture

Your garland is up, but that doesn’t mean you’re finished. You’ll want to zhush it with some extra texture. I like to sprinkle in faux stems into the garland, add ornaments or candles (I like the battery-operated kind), ribbon, and maybe some brass bells. If you wanna get extra fancy, weave the ribbon into the garland for a beautiful layered effect.

4. Weighted Hooks For Your Stockings vs. Command Strips

I loved using Command Hooks on our old mantel, but they don’t adhere well to rough surfaces like stone, so this year, I’ll need to use weighted hooks (loving this hook shown below) for our stockings. But I’ll be the person touching the stockings because if anyone is going to drop a weight, chipping the custom designed stone fireplace, it best be me. BTDubs, if you’re using Command Hooks, be sure to install them properly. If you adhere the strips in the wrong direction, you could damage the surface when removing them.

RELATED: Get my genius hacks on how to hang art easily!

Stocking Hook   |   Brass Presents   |   Green and Clear Trees   |   Green Marble Nutcracker   |   Green Fur Stocking

5. Safety Always Comes Before Decor

I know this sounds like a silly tip, but believe me, it’s not. It’s the most important. Consider whether your mantel has a working fireplace, and if so, when it’s lit, is there any possibility for the decor to catch fire? This is especially true with real garlands. It dries out quickly and will ignite – no one needs the fire department at their home. If your fireplace is never lit, consider adding candles inside (mix up the heights to keep the eye moving) (battery operated is a-okay). If it needs a little extra, add more garland and ribbon to the hearth. If you want real candles, look at these affordable gold metal lanterns and add tea lights.

Best Faux Garland For Your Christmas Mantel

I’ve become somewhat of a connoisseur when it comes to buying faux plants. A few of my favorite online sources are Grandin Road, Target, Amazon, Nearly Natural, Wayfair, and Frontgate.

1. Hamilton Greenery Garland – SHOP IT HERE
2. Emerald Nouveau Garland – SHOP IT HERE
3. Unlit Artificial Pine Christmas Garland with White Berries – SHOP IT HERE
4. Faux Bay Leaf Garland – SHOP IT HERE
5. Pre-Lit LED Needle Pine with Pinecones Seasonal Faux Garland – SHOP IT HERE
6. Artificial Olive Leaf Garland – SHOP IT HERE
7. Faux Cedar Garland – SHOP IT HERE
8. Botanical Sugared Fruit Garland – SHOP IT HERE
9. Faux Cedar Garland – SHOP IT HERE
10. Faux Seeded Eucalyptus Garland With Pine – SHOP IT HERE
11. Majestic Holiday Garland – SHOP IT HERE

Side note, if you are looking for an easy way to hang your holiday garland over a door, check out this EZ Garland Hanger. It will save your wood and trim from nail holes.

Stockings To Add Holiday Cheer To Your Mantel

Everyone asks where my stockings (see them here) are from, but no one likes the answer. My mom crocheted them for us, and you cannot buy them anywhere, but I know where you can purchase beautiful stockings. Here’s a quick round-up of my favorite stockings for your Christmas mantel decor.

1. Ivory Cable Knit Stocking – SHOP IT HERE
2. Green and Ivory Knit Stocking – SHOP IT HERE
3. Green and Ivory Plaid Stocking – SHOP IT HERE
4. Tan Faux Fur Stocking – SHOP IT HERE
5. Green and Red Plaid Stocking – SHOP IT HERE
6. Personalized Carmel Faux Fur Stocking – SHOP IT HERE
7. Green Faux Fur Stocking – SHOP IT HERE
8. Red Woven Stocking – SHOP IT HERE
9. Red and Ivory Chunky Knit Stocking – SHOP IT HERE
10. Red and Ivory Striped Monogram Stocking – SHOP IT HERE

Also, check out my stocking stuffer gift guide filled with unique and inexpensive ideas.

More Warm And Cozy Holiday Design Inspiration From My Bloggery Friends

If you’re looking for more holiday design inspiration, check out my friend Haneen’s holiday mantel decor at Haneen’s Haven. That girl outdid herself last year, and I’m not sure how she will top it this year. Also, my friend Erin over at Sunny Side Up has a great holiday planner available for download to help keep you on track. If you’re looking for front porch holiday ideas, click that link for inspo over at Bigger Than The Three Of Us.

Discover More Eclectic Home Decor Ideas

This simple Christmas mantel decor was styled perfectly on the new custom stone fireplace. And don’t miss my expert tips on everyday mantel decor ideas.

See this year’s Christmas decor and discover holiday decorating ideas that are meaningful.

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80s modern decor in a contemporary home. Check out this Kelly Wearstler-inspired home tour. 

If you’re decorating on a budget, get my top tips to save money yet still make your home look expensive. 

One thing I do spend money on is bedding. Here are the best sheets that will help give you a better night’s sleep.

The Primrose mirror is still trending hard, but the price tag crushes my soul. If you’re looking for an Anthropologie mirror dupe that doesn’t break the break. This one is for you.