14 Christmas Mantel Garland Ideas From Simple to Full and Lush

Faux Cedar Base Layered With Fresh Eucalyptus

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Thick faux cedar garland runs the full length of the mantel. Fresh silver dollar eucalyptus is tucked in every few inches. The mix spills over the edge in soft, droopy layers.

Faux greenery gives shape that lasts, while fresh stems add real scent and texture. Nobody can tell where one ends. Fluff each faux branch up and out before adding anything fresh.

Copy it: Lay your faux garland on the floor and fluff every single tip before it goes up. (about 45 minutes, cost $$)

Asymmetric Garland Spilling Down One Side to the Floor

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Greenery bunches heavy on the left end of the mantel. From there it cascades down the side of the fireplace all the way to the floor. On the right end, only a thin tail trails off.

Uneven garland feels wild and romantic, like it grew there. It also hides an awkward side wall or outlet. Hold the drop in place with clear adhesive hooks along the edge.

Copy it: Pick the side of your fireplace with more open wall and start your garland heavy there. (about an hour, cost $$$)

Magnolia Leaf Garland With Brass Taper Candles

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Glossy magnolia leaves with brown velvet backs line the mantel. Five brass candlesticks with ivory tapers stand in a row just behind. Candlelight bounces off the shiny green tops.

Magnolia looks Southern, classic, and rich, and it lasts for weeks. Turning some leaves to show the brown side adds depth. Keep flames at least six inches above the leaves and never leave lit candles alone.

Copy it: Flip every third magnolia leaf so the brown side faces out as you hang it. (about 30 minutes, cost $$$)

Single Strand of Fresh Cedar for a Calm Mantel

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One thin strand of fresh cedar lies flat along the mantel shelf. Its ends drop just a few inches over each side. Nothing else sits on top except one small framed print.

Simple garland lets the shape of your fireplace shine. Fresh cedar smells like a walk in the woods. Mist it with water every few days so it stays soft.

Copy it: Buy one fresh cedar strand, lay it across the mantel, and stop there for a day to see how it feels. (about 10 minutes, cost $)

Dried Orange Slices and Cinnamon Sticks Wired Into Pine

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Thin dried orange slices glow amber against green pine. Bundles of cinnamon sticks tied with twine sit between them. Little clusters of star anise peek out here and there.

Citrus brings warm color and a sweet smell. Oranges dried in your oven cost almost nothing. Hold each slice up to the window first, since the thinnest ones glow the most.

Copy it: Slice two oranges thin tonight and bake them at the lowest oven setting for about three hours. (about 3 hours, cost $)

Red Velvet Bows Pinned at Every Swag

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Fat red velvet bows sit at each end and in the center of a pine garland. Their long tails hang down the front of the fireplace. Each bow is the same size, spaced evenly.

Bows turn plain greenery into a classic Christmas look in minutes. Three is plenty for most mantels. Shape each loop around your fist so every bow matches.

Copy it: Cut three ribbon lengths of about four feet and tie your first bow on the kitchen table. (about 20 minutes, cost $)

Garland Hung From Clear Adhesive Hooks

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Small clear hooks run along the front edge of the mantel. Garland drapes from each hook in neat little dips. No nails or tape show at all.

Hooks hold garland exactly where you want it, so it never slides off. They peel away clean in January. Press each one for 30 seconds and wait an hour before hanging.

Copy it: Stick hooks every 12 inches along the mantel edge right now so they are ready by tonight. (about 15 minutes, cost $)

Neutral Dried Grass and Pampas Garland

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Feathery pampas plumes and dried bunny tail grass rest along the mantel in cream and tan. A few gold bead strands loop through. The whole thing looks soft and airy.

Dried grasses suit modern and boho rooms that feel cold with pine. They last for years if you keep them dry. Shake them outside first, since loose fluff will drift everywhere otherwise.

Copy it: Buy one bunch of pampas and one bunch of bunny tail grass and test the look on a tray. (about 30 minutes, cost $$)

Pinecone and Red Berry Clusters Wired Into Fir

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Groups of three pinecones sit tucked into a fir garland every foot or so. Short sprays of bright red berries poke out beside them. The texture feels like a forest floor.

Clusters look more natural than single cones in a row. Odd numbers keep it relaxed. Wrap thin floral wire around the bottom scales to anchor each cone.

Copy it: Collect pinecones on a walk this weekend and bake them at low heat to dry them out. (about 45 minutes, cost $)

Fairy Lights Tucked Deep Inside the Greenery

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Tiny warm white fairy lights hide deep in the garland. Only the glow shows, not the wire. At night the whole mantel looks lit from the inside.

Lights tucked deep make any garland look fuller. Copper wire strands vanish into green. Choose a battery string with a timer so you never hunt for the switch.

Copy it: Weave one battery light strand into your garland before you add a single ornament. (about 15 minutes, cost $)

Scalloped Swag Garland Draped in Loops

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Garland hangs in three deep loops across the front of the mantel. Each dip falls about ten inches. Small wreaths sit where the loops meet.

Swags look old fashioned and grand, like a historic home. Loops show off garland from across the room. Use a string to mark your dips before hanging the heavy greenery.

Copy it: Tie a string across your mantel in three loops to test the depth you like. (about 45 minutes, cost $$)

Mini Boxwood Wreaths Hung Along the Garland

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Four tiny boxwood wreaths hang from thin ribbon along a plain garland. Each sits just below the mantel edge. The ribbons are cream silk and all the same length.

Little wreaths add rhythm, like beads on a necklace. Boxwood stays green and tidy for weeks. Use a ruler so each ribbon drops exactly the same distance.

Copy it: Cut four equal lengths of ribbon and loop one through each mini wreath today. (about 20 minutes, cost $$)

Olive Branch Garland for a Modern Mantel

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Silvery olive branches lie in a loose line across a sleek black mantel. Thin leaves curl in every direction. Two plain stoneware vases stand at one end.

Olive feels calm and fresh, great for modern homes that want green without full Christmas cheer. The gray tone works with black, white, and wood. Let a few branches hang off one end for movement.

Copy it: Look for faux olive stems and lay three end to end to test the length. (about 20 minutes, cost $$)

Brass Bells Clustered at the Mantel Corners

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Clusters of small brass bells hang from both front corners of the garland. Each group is tied with a strip of plaid ribbon. They catch firelight and shine.

Bells add a vintage sparkle and a happy little jingle. Corners are easy spots to decorate since they frame the whole mantel. Use five bells per corner for a full but tidy look.

Copy it: String five bells on a short ribbon and hang the bundle from one corner to see the effect. (about 15 minutes, cost $)

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