12.02.2009

Holiday Decor: Ideas for Decorating the Mantel for Christmas

Decorating our homes for Christmas is a wonderful way to catch the spirit of the holiday season. Because the fireplace is in many instances the focal point of a room and Santa's big entrance, decorating it with holiday décor is a must. Here are everyday tips on decorating your fireplace mantel and a few basic elements you may want to incorporate when creating your Christmas look:

* Display holiday stockings {with care}.
* Hang a live wreath over or garland around a mirror on the wall.
* Lay or hang live garland or pine branches along the mantel.

Continue to add and layer holiday items - pinecones, ornaments, candles, ribbon, seashells - that best communicate your design style.

Here's a collection of mantels decorated in a variety of styles for the Christmas holiday. From opulent to simple, classic to rustic, and monochromatic to colorful, hopefully you will find one that inspires you.

19 comments:

  1. Laura Trevey12/02/2009 12:51 PM

    i always have fresh evergreens around the mantle...
    the presents on top are adorable!!

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  2. Pauline Wiles12/02/2009 2:14 PM

    Oh, I do love that colorful (second last) pic with all the pressies!
    I have draped fairly lights over our mantle and that's as far as I've got... probably as far as I will get. The previous owners had stuck some horrible plastic hooks on there (for stockings, presumably) and I've been too scared to rip them off!

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  3. Lovely Scribbles12/02/2009 2:17 PM

    These photos are gorgeous! I love the idea of fresh evergreen over the mantel. You're so sweet, Cristin! Don't worry at all about playing the award game (even if Tiger Woods did crack!);) I just wanted to share your site as one of my faves! :) Your ideas are fantastic as always!

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  4. Averill12/02/2009 2:18 PM

    There are a lot of great ideas here that go beyond the standard garland and/or stockings. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect addition to my mantle -- I've got stockings on it but that's about it at the moment. I was focused on adding a garland but now I'm thinking some large vases filled with Christmas ornaments might be the perfect touch!

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  5. Christi 12/02/2009 3:12 PM

    great inspiration photos! i love the first one and how the chandie is covered in trimmings.

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  6. Null12/02/2009 3:16 PM

    I grew up with a super guru decorating mother. Our home was always festooned in garland. I, however, prefer using evergreen clippings from the animated tree vendors that pepper the streets of Manhattan. The clippings are flexible and allowed for me to play with the shape of the mantle design. When I had placed all the boughs in their energetic positions, I integrated lighthouse ornaments and sand dollars in the greens. This was my hubby's homage to Gloucester, MA where our family lives.

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  7. Janell @ House of Fifty12/02/2009 4:42 PM

    Oh, so many beautiful images, I'm feeling intimidated! Love the three wreaths & stocking combo, the first image is over the top gorgeous and the second to last mantel with the fresh colors is probably my favorite.
    Janell

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  8. Unknown12/02/2009 6:04 PM

    Perfection...

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  9. Anonymous12/02/2009 6:15 PM

    Love all of this beautiful inspiration! Thanks!

    pk @ Room Remix

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  10. KellyMellyBoBellyBananaFanna12/02/2009 8:36 PM

    so lush! nice. i have the stockings in the fourth photo down! from pottery barn. 1 for me, 1 for the husband, and 4 for each of our pupsters!

    kelly
    http://tearinguphouses.blogspot.com

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  11. BonBon Rose Girls Kristin12/02/2009 9:26 PM

    I love the one with the PB jeweled stockings. I've been staring at it for weeks!

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  12. DesignTies12/03/2009 5:44 AM

    Beautiful collection of decorated mantels. I like that they represent all different styles of decorating :-)

    For whatever reason, I'm drawn to the more modern looking ones -- the mantel with the little trees in birch pots and the white stockings, the mantel with the three red wreaths and the white vases with green & red balls, and the mantel with the colourfully wrapped gifts.

    Thanks for the inspiration!! :-)

    Kelly

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  13. Pinecone Camp12/03/2009 9:23 AM

    You can probably tell, by the name of my blog, that I adore pinecones, so I have to say the garland of pinecones is my fave!
    Have a great day!

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  14. Lauren12/03/2009 12:51 PM

    You've given me such inspriation! I love the rugged look paired with some sparkle!

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  15. Dallas Shaw12/03/2009 2:41 PM

    great stuff- missing my fireplace
    dallas
    http://dillydallas.blogspot.com

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  16. deliciously organized12/04/2009 7:54 AM

    Wonderful tips, I really like the mantles you chose. The one with the white stockings is my favorite :)

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  17. Lindsay Rudolph1/08/2010 10:16 AM

    There are so many great ideas to choose from. I wish I would have found your blog earlier! I'll keep following so I don't miss anything else.

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  18. Anonymous12/19/2010 4:45 PM

    So many fun ideas! I, too, love the 2nd to last with the presents displayed above, so bright and fun. Thanks for sharing!

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  19. DecRenew Interiors 12/08/2011 5:49 AM

    I love a Christmas mantel especially with fresh garland. Thanks for the inspiration!
    Ruthie

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Thanks for leaving a comment. I love hearing your thoughts!