The holidays are just around the corner. And now is the time to start thinking about decorating.

One place that can be hard to decide on decorations for is the fireplace. It is often the last area on the list to get decorated beyond hanging stockings.

Where to start?

The first place to start is removing the items you have decorated the mantel with for most of the year.

Next, choose a theme, elegant, rustic farmhouse, or traditional. Once you have selected the theme, you will need to decide on a color palette. Red, green, silver, gold, white, blue, or a combination of colors can make the holidays special but will those colors fit with your room?

Not sure what you want for a theme or colors? There are plenty of DIY sites and Pinterest to search for ideas. You can purchase decorations or make your own mantel decorations. And, don’t forget the hearth in front of the fireplace is an excellent spot of poinsettias. Just make sure if you use real poinsettias that it is not too hot there.

Once you have decided on the theme and colors, it’s time to start making or purchasing decorations. You can actually find affordable arts and crafts items as well as ribbon, lights, and decorations at your local Dollar Tree store for those DIY decorations.

Words of caution as many people will use greenery such as pine or cedar along the top of the mantel; again, make sure it is not too hot there. You do not want to start a fire whether the greenery is real or fake.

With LED Christmas lights now available, you can even place a string of electric lights if you have an outlet nearby or there are battery-operated light strands that have about ten bulbs that you can use.

Items you can use to decorate the mantel

There are so many holiday items that can be used to decorate the mantel. Here is a list of some of those items.

Stocking holders

Nutcrackers

Garland

Lights

Snow globe

Ornaments

Bows

Cards

Candleholders with candles

Poinsettias

Bells

Elves

Potted plants or shrubs

Santa and Mrs. Claus

Reindeer and sleigh

Pinecones

Christmas village pieces

A manage scene

For other holidays:

Thanksgiving – pilgrims, turkeys, a Thanksgiving tree

Halloween – ghosts, pumpkins, witches, black cats

Valentines – Hearts and roses

 

There are many more ideas out there. If you search Christmas mantel decoration ideas, you will find pages of pictures. Also, search youtube for videos. All are a great source of inspiration for your mantel.

Here are just a couple of pictures that you can find for creative ideas.

For ideas on decorating here are a few sites:

14 ways to decorate your fireplace

 22 Ideas for Christmas fireplace

30 Ideas for fireplace decorations

How to decorate your fireplace for Christmas

DIY Christmas decorating mantel

 

Just remember that if you use your fireplace for heat and looks, you need to be careful in what you choose for decorations. This is especially true depending on the type of fuel you use for the fireplace; electric, gas, wood, or pellets all have their own fire hazards when decorating.

Also, be sure to keep any vents on the fireplace open and free of decorations or plants. That way, the decorations do not melt or cause a malfunction in the fireplace.

Other holiday decorating

Decorating your fireplace mantel isn’t just for Christmas. Many people forget the fireplace when decorating for other holidays and events. You can also decorate it for Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year, Valentine, or you can do seasons spring, summer, fall, or winter.

For other ideas on decorating your fireplace, here are a few sites

11 pro tips

26 mantel décor ideas 

As you can see, there are plenty of sites to get inspiration from for Christmas and more. Just remember to decorate with an eye for safety.