How to Decorate Your Mantel for Christmas

This is the season when we enjoy our fireplace the most, and the fireplace is the focal point in every family room. So let’s get your mantel ready for the holidays by personalizing it just for you and your loved ones. Here are my five steps on how to decorate yours for Christmas.

1.Start with a sentimental family piece that has a story.

It could be a basket, a painting, or an ole trophy bowl. Start with that personal piece front and center, especially if it’s the largest piece. Then, build up and out from that point. I used a large round silver platter that was a part of my mother’s punch bowl set. I love how it adds shimmer in contrast to the fresh greens.

2. Then add in larger pieces from nature. 

Such as branches of evergreens. I love mixing dark and light branches such as soft sage and dark hunter green. Mixing a variety of winter greens also adds textures and even different scents of winter. And there’s an actual large turkey tail layered in for interest.

3. Next, add a bit of color contrast to the woodland greens.

You can go more traditional by adding fresh red holly berries. This year I added the dried mustard branches I used during the fall. As well as, gold sprayed thistles branches with pods. Even pieces like wooden gold painted pine cones and almonds in their shell add contrast.

4. Keep the weight of the display in the center. 

It adds balance to the size of the fireplace below. I mixed in these wonderful extra large pinecones that I picked up from our trip out west. Then, centered & layered in the beautiful pheasant wings from a father son’s hunting adventure. Lastly, I added a bird’s nest I found in the summer and filled it with almonds and walnuts.

5. Add lighter pieces to soften your creation. 

This step was accomplished by adding whimsical Curly Willow branches on the outer edges with the sweet greenery of Seeded Eucalyptus. I love the way the branches add an organic and casual feel. They are really fun!

I hope these five steps will help you create a beautiful mantelpiece that is special to your home and family traditions. Enjoy!