Even if you haven't built a fire, the mantel is often a focal point in a room, so what better spot to decorate at Christmas? With plenty of space for signs, ornaments and garlands, you can turn your mantel into a magical, festive wonderland.
Naturally, you'll need the right Christmas mantel decor. For starters, you might want to think about what types of decoration you're looking for, and then you can consider specifics, such as size and color palette.
In this article: National Tree Company Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Mantel Swag, GenSwin Flickering Flameless Candles and Ki Store Lighted Glass Christmas Tree Ornaments.
Types of Christmas mantel decor
You can find many types of festive mantel decorations. Which ones you choose is entirely up to your preference. You may want to show off more than one type.
- Garlands: Christmas garlands are traditionally made from evergreen branches, but those available online are made from the same materials as artificial Christmas trees. However, you can get alternatives made from beads or designed to look like wintry branches. Some garlands are pre-lit or flocked, and some have additional festive decorations, such as pine cones and berries.
- Ornaments: Not to be confused with Christmas tree ornaments, these festive ornaments sit on your mantel. You can find many options, including Christmas trees, reindeer and sleighs.
- Lanterns and lights: There's something festive about lanterns, even if they aren't inherently Christmassy — although you can find some with holiday designs. You can also decorate mantels with string lights and festive flameless candles.
- Signs: You can find solid signs and individual letters that spell out Christmas-themed words, such as "joy," "peace" or "Noel."
- Stockings: Hanging stockings from your mantel during the holiday season is one way to decorate. You can choose from a huge range of traditional and contemporary Christmas stocking designs.
What to consider when choosing mantel decorations
Once you've decided what type of decorations you're looking for, there's still more to think about. Consider these factors to help you find the right decor.
- Size: Look at the dimensions of decorations you're considering, especially the length of garlands and the height and depth of ornaments, to make sure they will fit comfortably on your mantel and won't look too large or small. If you're creating a display of ornaments, think about proportion so you aren't left with a 2-inch Santa next to a 6-inch reindeer.
- Style: You can find festive decorations ranging from super traditional to sleek and modern. Then you can find some that are geared more toward kids with bright colors and cartoonish figures. There's no right or wrong when it comes to style, so choose whichever you prefer. You can create an interesting effect by mixing modern and traditional decorations, but it takes some thought to make it look good.
- Color palette: Think about your holiday palette. Do you prefer to stick to silvers and golds or classic red and green? Or do you go for less traditional hues from the festive season, such as black or pink? You may have a color palette you want to stick with, or perhaps you're happy with an eclectic, mismatched style.
Christmas mantel decor prices
You can find some inexpensive decorations for around $5-$20, including festive signs and letters, stockings and small ornaments. Elaborate ornaments and top-quality garlands can cost as much as $100.
Best Christmas mantel decor
National Tree Company Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Mantel Swag
A classic choice, this pre-lit mantel swag has realistic tips, flocking and an array of faux berries and pine cones. It stretches 72 inches, which is long enough for most mantels, and it's lit with 50 white lights.
Sold by Amazon
MorTime Christmas Garland
Thanks to its added bows, baubles, berries and pine cones, this garland really brings festive cheer to your mantel. It is 9 feet long and has 50 integrated warm white lights.
Sold by Amazon
GenSwin Flickering Flameless Candles
These three flameless candles flicker softly with a warm white glow that's delightfully festive. The deer design is Christmassy without being over-the-top. They use AAA batteries, which you need to buy separately.
Sold by Amazon
Uniprime Mini Christmas Tree Decorations
These four flocked Christmas trees are perfect mantel decorations, either on their own or as part of a larger display with other items. Each is of a different height ranging between roughly 4 and 10 inches.
Sold by Amazon
Yeahome Birch Tree Lights
Each measuring 24 inches tall, this pair of birch tree lights makes a striking display on your mantel. The silvery bark and bare branches are wintry, while the integrated lights give them a festive glow.
Sold by Amazon
Ki Store Lighted Glass Christmas Tree Ornaments
These glass ornaments look beautiful sitting on a mantel, illuminating with a beautiful warm white light. They come in a pack of three, each of a different height (roughly 8, 9.5 and 11 inches).
Sold by Amazon
Roman Confetti Lites Collection Lantern
Inside this beautifully finished lantern is a festive scene complete with swirling snow. Not only does it look great simply as an ornament, but it also lights up with an LED bulb.
Sold by Amazon
Kunyida Knitted Christmas Stockings
Hung on your mantel, these knitted stockings bring the look of Christmases past to your living room. They're available in a range of lengths and color combinations, so you can choose what suits your needs.
Sold by Amazon
Layseri Christmas Reindeer Stocking Hangers
Not only are these stocking hangers practical, they are also decorative and look great on any mantel. This set of four includes three reindeer and a sleigh with presents inside.
Sold by Amazon
Hairui Birch Garland with Lights
Six feet long and studded with white lights, this wintry garland is a perfect alternative to classic evergreen versions. It is battery powered and has a timer to save energy.
Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
- This 9-foot garland is perfect for decorating mantels with plenty of overhang on each side.
- These gorgeous flameless candles have bark-effect exteriors that look festive without being garish.
- Made of beads and string lights, the Collections Etc. Beaded Garland is a great alternative to a garland made of artificial Christmas tree branches.
- Studded with pine cones and berries, this lighted garland can bring festive flair to any mantel.
- Hanging stockings on your mantel, even before the big day, is a perfect way to decorate.
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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