Decorating A Fireplace Mantle For Christmas

Understated Approach

Designer Lauren DeLoach brings holiday flair to the stately, cast stone fireplace in this traditional den using a trailing pine, cypress and eucalyptus garland woven with a rosy velvet ribbon. Snowy faux-fur stockings shine against the organic garland and bring interesting asymmetry to the display.

Organic Opulence

Traditional baubles and bows are replaced by sleek, staggered iron candlesticks, wintry white tapers and an aromatic eucalyptus garland on this contemporary fireplace mantel. The lush display celebrates the season in a subtle, sophisticated way that enhances the neutral interior without overpowering the design with out-of-place colors or clashing textures.

Plan for Pets

Decking out your fireplace for the season is fun but keep furkids' safety in mind and place any potential nibble hazards like poinsettias, amaryllis, holly and mistletoe far out of reach. Inquisitive pets could easily knock over a lit candle so either position candles where dogs and cats could never reach them or sub battery-operated candles for flickering flames.

See More Photos: 12 Tips for a Festive Holiday Fireplace

Snowed In

White Christmas dreams are realized in this snow-dusted living room. A flocked pine garland offers a wintry touch to the classic mantel while a flurry of snowy stockings dazzle against the herringbone fireplace surround.

Don't Forget the Hearth

While the mantel may be the focus of your holiday decorating, adding a few festive touches to the hearth will pull the look together. For ours, stylist H. Camille Smith cozied up the stone with a faux fur throw topped with fabric-wrapped gifts. Battery-operated candles and string lights wrapped around logs in the firebox bring the sparkle without the risk of fire.

See More Photos: 12 Tips for a Festive Holiday Fireplace

Branching Out

The grand stone fireplace serves as the festive focal point of this mountainside great room by designer Daniel Contelmo. A flocked pinecone and evergreen garland adorns the reclaimed wood mantel while birch branches stand erect against the fireplace façade. The leaning wood accentuates the height of the room and draws the eyes to the striking cathedral ceiling, overhead.

Spirited Statement

A faux mounted moose offers holiday guests a vision of whimsy and cheer above the fireplace of this modern mountainside home. The jaunty character is dressed for the occasion with a flurry of orange ornaments dangling from his antlers and a dapper 10-gallon hat.

Timeless Appeal

Glossy magnolia leaves, burlap stockings and vibrant holly berries trim this Craftsman mantel with classic Christmas appeal. The foraged evergreen and magnolia branches provide a striking, symmetrical base for the glamorous mercury glass vases, felted wool garland and faux antlers that line the mantel.

See More Photos: 88 Beautiful Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

Frosty Touches

A faux greenery swag and hand-painted holiday planks enliven this rustic stone fireplace with the spirit of the season. Two snowy planks boast inky, sketched Christmas trees while the central sketch features a familiar character with a friendly smile and frosty face.

Santa's Helpers

Designer Brian Patrick Flynn opts for an unfussy mantel in this waterfront Washington home so not to distract from the dreamy views beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. A plump pair of bearded elves stand watch over Christmas gifts on one end of the contemporary marble fireplace while two silver reindeer prepare for flight above the sweater-knit stockings.

Fiery + Festive

This stacked stone outdoor fireplace is prepped for Christmas Eve festivities with a star marquee and a dramatic, draped evergreen garland wrapped with embroidered navy ribbon. A mix of matte and gloss ornaments pile in clusters across the mantel and surrounding surfaces to energize the alfresco gathering spot with cheery color.

Pretty + Peaceful

Designer Emily Henderson created this funky focal point by attaching boards to a hula hoop and hot-gluing ornaments around.

Go Au Naturel

Fresh-cut evergreens reign supreme on this Christmas-clad organic display. Fragrant and free, the foraged greenery creates a lush blanket beneath mercury glass decorations and a grouping of shimmery champagne bottlebrush trees.

Watch the Video: DIY Natural Holiday Garland

Or, Mix Fresh With Faux

While real snowy branches would quickly create a wet mess indoors, faux flocked pine branches are an easy way to work a little frosty winter magic into a fresh or faux mantel display.

See More Photos: 12 Tips for a Festive Holiday Fireplace

And, Light It Up

Tiny battery-operated LED twinkle lights are easy to work into your mantel display and will add a magical glow without the worry of candles or the need for an electrical outlet. Just twist the lights around fresh or faux garlands and tuck the battery pack out of sight in a handy location so you can turn the glow on and off as you wish.

See More Photos: 12 Tips for a Festive Holiday Fireplace

For the Kids

To create a playful, kid-friendly mantel, designer Brian Patrick Flynn used saturated colors inspired by modern artwork by Jenny Andrews Anderson. From a grouping of stockings to metallic orb ornaments, the mantel is layered in a variety of rich purple tones.

Farm(house) Fresh

This vintage farmhouse mantel is fit for the holidays with a weathered, handwrittenl sign nestled between a staggered pine tree duo, potted in natural woven baskets. A pair of holly-red stockings on iron hooks dangle against the antique mantel and pop against the bright white shiplap walls.

See More Photos: 110 Farmhouse Christmas Decorating Ideas

Go Faux

No mantel, no problem! If your home doesn't have a hearth, fake it with this DIY project. Customize your homemade mantel with colorful paint and pretty knobs or hooks for hanging stockings.

Get the How-To: Easily Construct a Faux Mantel for the Holidays

Or, Chalk It Up

Chalkboards can hang over the mantel or, in this case, stand in for it entirely. This clever faux mantel wall hanging is a smart solution for apartment dwellers or renters.

Get the How-To: Clever Faux Mantel Wall Hanging for the Holidays

Foraged + Fresh

This mountainside home features a dreamy outdoor lounge complete with a woodburning fireplace and two sofas poised for cocoa and conversation. The fireplace is fancied-up for winter holidays with mounted moose antlers and a fresh, foraged evergreen swag on the rustic wood mantel.

A Classic Christmas (Color) Story

Classic Christmas colors are celebrated in this cozy living room. Fiery poinsettia blooms fill the firebox with color while a twinkling pine garland wraps the mantel above with woodsy texture. Personalized, sweater-style stockings dangle from iron reindeer and alternate in color across the stacked stone fireplace surround.

Scandi Stockings + Boho Beading

Store-bought stockings are stored away and replaced with our DIY Scandinavian-inspired stockings to complete this trendy mantel design. Silvery eucalyptus branches add softness and texture above while an airy, bleached-wood garland swags across the fireplace surround to create a layered and dimensional display.

Get the How-To: 3 Ways to Decorate a Plain Canvas Stocking

Rustic Chic

To bring a touch of rustic charm to this mantel, a black-and-white photograph depicting a snowed-in cabin displayed above a lush green garland dressed with red-and-white plaid ribbon and faux cranberry picks. For a botanical boost, potted junipers are added to either side of the photograph, adding an aromatic effect to the room.

Pop Art

To add a splashy aesthetic to this mantel, it's first covered in stark white garland, then accessorized with high-energy hues — appearing in everything from its hanging ornaments to vases filled with colorful candy.

Stately Swag

A classic pine-and-juniper swag invites organic texture and wintry charm to this otherwise minimalist fireplace façade. Below, a collection of ivory pillar candles contrasts against the inky-black firebox and washes the room in a soft, golden glow.

Fresh Color Palette

Green is nowhere to be seen in this Santa-ready sitting room. The traditional holiday hue gets the boot and is replaced by a moody, midnight-blue alternative for an unexpected fireplace display. A saturated blue garland shines against the classic mantel and enlivens the space with twinkling lights and a mix of glossy and matte maroon baubles.

Cozy Simplicity

This Magnolia House fireplace proves that sometimes sweet and simple touches are all you need to create a dreamy Christmas mantel. Joanna decked this antique mantel with a petite pine wreath, a pile of antique books, a white candle and a pair of holly-red striped stockings.

Wrapped in Ribbon

This traditional fireplace was transformed for the holidays with a faux greenery garland, gold and silver metallic accents, splashes of red and vases filled with ornaments. Our favorite touch? The ruby ribbon tied into a classic holiday bow on each shaded sconce.

All That Glitters

A glamorous garland falls over the edge of this ornate mantel for a striking seasonal display. The garland boasts bronze berries, golden ribbon, glossy amethyst ornaments and glowing string lights intertwined with a variety of faux evergreen branches.

Rustic Glam

This rustic, stone living room is all decked out for Christmas. A mix of store-bought and handmade stockings are hung from the mantel while decorative trees, candles and greenery draw attention to the illuminated star above.

Holly Jolly

Handmade stockings, mini evergreen topiaries and a variety of silver and gold ornaments come together to create this traditional Christmas mantel.

Airy Elegance

A palette of white, gray and charcoal helps to blend seasonal trappings with this minimal room's year-round decor. Subtle earthy color is added with a trio of foam cones covered in fringed raffia trim.

All Natural

To get festive for free, head outside with some clippers to gather cedar branches. Accent the DIY garland with white pillar candles and fresh roses for an organic, natural look.

See More Photos: How to Make Holiday Garland From Foraged Greenery

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Collected Charm

A mix of rustic and vintage items give this mantel a collected-over-time look. Instead of evergreen boughs, woodsy tree cuttings and spruce clippings add seasonal liveliness.

Joy to the World

For strong, graphic impact, designer Britany Simon created a lighting installation from three cardboard letters and industrial globe string lights. Once illuminated, the trio of letters instantly becomes the room's focal point.

Traditional Trimmings

This formal, wood-trimmed living room is prepped for Christmas morning with a slew of snow-white stockings, a texture-rich cypress garland and twin Old World Santas standing guard on the mantel. A shimmery champagne wreath dangles from a gilt mirror to complete the fireplace display.

Garnished With Greenery

Add a natural touch to your mantel with a fresh boxwood topiary and wreath. They're easy to assemble and can be left plain or embellished with holiday ornaments and trim. Our tutorial, below, shows you how to craft them yourself.

Get the How-To: How to Make Boxwood Christmas Topiaries

Traditional Touch

Combine crushed velvets, rich patterns and deep crimson colors to create a timeless look you'll enjoy for years to come.

Haute Stocking Hangers

Sometimes it's all about the small details. This mantel's blue, silver and white color scheme stands out against the warm natural stone, but the real stars of this scene are the customized chalkboard stocking hangers. Make your own with our instructions, below.

Get the How-To: How to Make Chalkboard Stocking Hangers

Organic Elegance

Earth tones and natural elements create a cozy and relaxing setting. Get the same look by combining natural textures like burlap, wood and evergreens.