Are you an early holiday decorator or do you stick with a no-decorating-until-after-Thanksgiving plan? I’m going to wait a bit before pulling out all of my Christmas boxes and putting our tree up, but got started with my decorating this weekend by hanging a garland on our fireplace mantel. It’s a project that I was pretty excited to jump into since it’s the first year since remodeling our fireplace that I’m decorating it up!
In past years, I’ve gotten lots of questions about the garlands I’ve used, what I’ve hung them with, and the decorative accessories I’ve added, so today I’m answering those questions and sharing some simple mantel decorating tips. From choosing the perfect garland to securing it to your mantel and adding some final touches, I’m detailing everything you need to know to get your mantel holiday-ready! (post includes commissionable links; for more information, see my full disclosure statement {here})
Choosing the Right Garland
Faux garland options range from a simple garland with a single type of greenery to a garland with a mix of different greenery types. My personal preference for decorating fireplace mantels is a garland with mixed greenery because I love the mix of shapes and textures!
One way to get the mixed greenery look is by mixing different types of greenery yourself. For example, in our previous home, I created this fireplace mantel garland by combining two of {these 6′ pine garlands}, clippings from {this eucalyptus garland}, sprigs of silver dollar eucalyptus similar to {these}, and faux blueberries similar to {these}:
I then wrapped two strands of {these battery-operated fairy lights} around my finished garland.
Another option is to go the simple route and choose a high-quality garland that’s nice and full and made with a mix of greenery types. A good mixed greenery garland isn’t cheap, but it’s often less than the cost of buying multiple inexpensive garlands and mixing them together. This year I went with the one-and-done approach and used {this 9′ majestic holiday garland} on my mantel. It’s a mix of spruce and juniper greenery, eucalyptus, green berries, and pinecones:
It’s quite realistic! And it even comes pre-lit with LED lights throughout the garland, powered by batteries in the attached battery box:
The battery box has a timer option that automatically turns the lights off after six hours and turns them on again at the same time each day.
If you prefer the look of a single type of greenery in a garland, {this pine garland} is a great choice! I bought {these wreaths} that are made with the same faux pine and think they’re super realistic!
Along with choosing the type of garland for your fireplace mantel, you’ll need to decide on your garland length. If you’re hanging your garland like I did this year with a swag in the middle and the ends hanging down in front of the mantel,
a garland that’s equal to the height + the width of your mantel works well. Our mantel is 69″ wide and 47″ tall. Adding those measurements together, you get 116″ (about 9 ½ feet) so {this 9-foot garland} is a great fit.
If you drape the ends of your garland over the top of your mantel so they hang down the sides, like I did in our previous home,
you’ll want a garland that’s about two feet longer. Most garlands are made in 6′ and 9′ options so often that will mean attaching two garlands end to end.
Want more details on our recent fireplace remodel and pics of the “before” and “after” transformation? Check out my post on mounting a TV above our fireplace.
Securing Your Garland on the Mantel
I’ve used a few different methods for securing garland on our fireplace mantels. One option is to use removable adhesive hooks such as {these Command hooks}. They’re easy to apply and can be removed without damaging your mantel, so they’re a great choice IF your garland is lightweight, as they’re only rated for two pounds.
I position the Command hook near the front of the mantel like this and hook the base of the garland on it. This year, I placed my hooks about 8 inches in from each end:
You could also try {these new Command garland hangers} that are made for exactly this task!
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If your garland is heavy or you are hanging something breakable from it and don’t want to risk it falling from the Command hook failing, {these screw-in cup hooks} work really well for painted wood mantels. You simply pre-drill a small hole where you want to place the hook and then screw it in, leaving the opening of the hook facing the fireplace wall:
The obvious downside to the cup hooks is that they leave a small hole when removed, but if you have a painted white mantel like I do, I just fill the holes with {this white wood filler}. You could then touch up the spots with paint to make them totally invisible, but I find that using just the wood filler hides them well enough while also allowing me to see where I made the holes so I can put my hooks in the same spot the following year.
For mantels made of brick or stone, you may need to get creative with your hanging method. One possible option is to use brick clips like {these} that I used outdoors to hang our wall planters:
They worked great and were really secure, but the height of your brick needs to fall within the range stated for the hangers, and your brick needs to protrude from the mortar rather than being flush with it. The other option would be to screw small masonry hooks or screws into the mortar of your stone or brick.
Enhancing with Accessories
Now for the fun part! It’s the little extras you add to your garland that can really elevate its look! This year, I added large bows to each end of the garland made with a gorgeous wired ribbon (that unfortunately is no longer available0. I threaded a long twist tie through the back of each bow’s knot and secured them to the garland:
I also added three ornaments hung with thin gold ribbon to each end of the garland, including a snowflake ornament and a few bulb ornaments:
Bells such as {these large jingle bells} that I used a few years ago are a nice extra too:
And of course, you can hang your stockings on your mantel too!
Last but not least, if your garland isn’t pre-lit, definitely add a few of {these battery powered fairy lights} (I like the warm white option) that you weave around and through your garland. It will make your fireplace look so pretty at night!
Thanks as always for stopping by! If you missed it, be sure to check out my favorite things post that’s full of gift ideas for the whole family {here}. You can also get my step-by-step of how to decorate a Christmas tree if you’ll be putting yours up soon!
XO,
