The mantelpiece or fireplace surround really comes into its own over the holiday season. It is the perfect surface to add a decorative festive flourish – and can become the star of the show in an instant. We'd go as far as to say that a beautifully decorated Christmas mantel can even rival the Christmas tree.
The mantle is also a nice place to start with your Christmas decor ideas. You can start giving it a festive feel as soon as Thanksgiving is over bringing in touches of seasonal foliage, velvet ribbons, and oversized stockings just to nod to the upcoming holidays.
American actress Reese Witherspoon's timeless Christmas fireplace idea is one of the best I've seen in recent years. The final look is classic and everlasting – the design forgoes modern fads and decorating trends.
This lush-looking Colorado Spruce Artificial garland from Walmart is an excellent buy and will work both indoors and out. It looks so real that it will fool your neighbors. I've already added two to my cart for an ultra-full look.
Burgundy might be a popular color at the moment, but it is a color that has always had a sense of allure and luxury about it. Its versatility allows it to be paired with various colors, from neutrals to more vibrant hues, offering endless possibilities for a captivating interior design. I've just purchased these to add to my garland, wreath and tree.
If you don't fancy crafting or foraging your own Christmas garland, worry not. This gorgeous, fully-decorated design comes pre-lit for minimal effort and maximum style.
Finished with hand-quilting, the tonal patchwork charms in a rich palette of reds. Pair this Crate & Barrel exclusive stocking with the matching tree skirt and coordinating green and ivory stockings for a cohesive Christmas look.
If you want your Christmas decorations to look high-end, then the National Tree Company 9-foot garland is loved by everyone at the H&G offices. This berry and pine cone-laden design could almost pass as real. It certainly fooled me...
Don't hammer unsightly nails into your mantel. Instead, use a weighted stocking holder to hang your stockings, garlands and Christmas ornaments – worry free.
Traditional Christmas decor ideas are always my go-to when stuck for inspiration. On the rare occasion when I do decide to go modern, I always wish I stuck with the tried-and-tested formula of red and green with a little shimmer in between – and I am not the only one.
'This year, many of us are opting for Christmas decor that is reminiscent of a time before technology, one that was filled with the simpler pleasures in life and returning to a wholesome rustic lifestyle that celebrates simplicity, tradition, and nostalgia,' says Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy's trend & design expert. For traditional Christmas mantel decor, the key is to lean into classic festive tones, cozy textures, foraged decor, and vintage pieces.' Reese Witherspoon's festive display is the perfect example of this sentiment.
There are plenty of big box retailers that do fantastic faux Christmas garlands, but if you do want to forage for your own, take advice from floral stylist Willow Crossley.
'We need more color in our lives at the moment,' says Crossley. 'I love pink and red so I will use lots of berries and dried pink straw flowers. Try a mantelpiece garland with eucalyptus, ruscus, and dried hydrangea, plus scented paperwhites and hyacinths.'
If in any doubt, stick to simple, classic Christmas color schemes and decor – you won't regret the final look.
