How to Decorate a Mantelpiece for Christmas

A holly garland draped over old wooden furniture at Christmas

In a country sitting room, the mantelpiece is the heart of Christmas. It is where the stockings hang, where the cards collect and where the candlelight gathers on dark December evenings. Dressed well in fresh greenery, brass and warm light, it sets the tone for the whole house.

This guide takes you through decorating a mantel step by step: choosing and preparing greenery, building a garland, adding candlesticks and lights, the finishing touches, keeping everything fresh and, most importantly, doing it all safely.

Before you start

Clear it completely

Take everything off the mantelpiece and give it a dust. Starting with a clear surface lets you see the shape and proportions properly, and stops the everyday clutter creeping into the Christmas display.

Decide on the centre

Most mantels are arranged around something in the middle: a mirror, a painting, a clock or a wreath. If you have a mirror, it doubles the candlelight in the evening. If not, a large wreath hung or propped at the centre makes a good focal point.

Choose a feel

Symmetrical: matching candlesticks at each end, the garland hanging evenly. Calm, traditional and suited to Georgian and Victorian rooms.
Asymmetrical: greenery that cascades more at one end, candlesticks grouped to one side. More relaxed and natural.

Choosing your greenery

Fresh greenery smells wonderful and looks far more natural than plastic. Mixing several types gives texture and depth.

Fir, spruce and pine: the classic Christmas foundation, with the scent everyone loves. Nordmann fir holds its needles well.
Ivy: trails beautifully over the edges and lasts well indoors.
Holly: glossy leaves and red berries. Berries drop as they dry, so add holly last.
Eucalyptus: soft, silvery grey-green with a fresh scent. Lasts well and dries attractively.
Bay and rosemary: fragrant and handsome, and they can be used in the kitchen afterwards.
Moss, pine cones and seedheads: fill gaps and add texture.

If you gather greenery from your own garden, cut it on a cool, dry day and stand it in buckets of water overnight to drink before you use it. Only ever take greenery from land where you have permission.

Building the garland

Start with a base. Either buy a plain fir garland or make one by binding bunches of fir onto a length of rope or twine with florist's wire, each bunch overlapping the one before.
Lay it along the mantel, letting it hang over each end by 20 to 40cm.
Fix it securely. On an old or listed fireplace, don't use nails. Use removable adhesive hooks, weights at each end or the garland's own weight with something heavy, like a pair of candlesticks, holding it in place.
Add the other greenery, tucking stems of eucalyptus, ivy and bay into the base at angles, all facing the same direction for a natural look.
Let ivy trail over the front and down the sides.
Add holly and berries last.
Step back and look from across the room. Fill any gaps and trim anything sticking out too far.

Adding brass candlesticks

Brass and evergreen are a perfect pairing: the gold catches the light and warms the deep green. Set candlesticks into the garland rather than in front of it, so they look part of the arrangement.

Group in odd numbers, threes or fives, for a natural look.
Vary the heights. Taller at the back or at the ends, shorter at the front or towards the middle.
Keep the flames clear. Push greenery well back from each candle so that nothing overhangs the flame.

Our Eclipse solid brass candle holder comes in small, medium and large, which makes a graduated group easy. Use dinner candles in cream or ivory for a classic look. For keeping brass bright through the season, read how to clean brass candle holders.

Adding fairy lights

A string of small lights threaded through the garland adds a soft glow for the hours the candles aren't lit.

Choose warm white. Cool white and coloured lights look harsh against natural greenery.
Choose static, not flashing.
Battery or plug-in? Battery lights with a timer avoid a trailing cable on an open fireplace. If you use plug-in lights, run the cable down the back of the fireplace surround, away from the hearth.
Thread them through the greenery, not on top of it, so the bulbs glow from within.

The finishing touches

Dried orange slices wired into the garland, for colour and a gentle scent.
Cinnamon sticks tied in small bundles with twine.
Pine cones, natural or lightly dusted with white.
Velvet or linen ribbon in deep red, green or gold, tied in bows at each end.
Christmas cards hung on a length of ribbon or twine beneath the mantel shelf.
Stockings hung from hooks or weighted holders along the front.
A wreath on the mirror or chimney breast above.

Resist using everything at once. A mantel that is too crowded loses its impact. Choose two or three finishing touches and repeat them along the length.

Keeping greenery fresh

Indoor heat dries greenery out quickly. To keep it looking good:

Mist it with water every day or two with a plant mister.
Keep the room as cool as you comfortably can, and avoid placing greenery near radiators.
Replace any stems that turn brown or brittle.
Expect fresh greenery to last around two to three weeks indoors.

Safety first

Dried greenery, ribbons and cards all burn easily, so take care.

Never leave candles burning unattended, or in a room where children or pets are on their own.
Keep candle flames well clear of greenery, ribbon and anything hanging above.
If the fire is lit, think carefully about greenery hanging over the opening. The heat dries it quickly and sparks can catch.
Consider LED candles among the greenery, keeping real flames for candlesticks set well apart.
Check that candles sit firmly and upright in their holders.
Turn fairy lights off at night and when you go out.

When to put it up and take it down

Because fresh greenery lasts two to three weeks indoors, most people dress the mantel in mid-December, so it looks its best on Christmas Day. Traditionally, Christmas greenery comes down by Twelfth Night, on 5 or 6 January, depending on which tradition your family follows. Compost the greenery afterwards, and keep the brass and ribbon for next year.

No fireplace?

The same principles work on a sideboard, a deep windowsill, a bookcase or along the top of a dresser. Lay a garland, add candlesticks safely spaced, thread through some lights and finish with a few simple touches.

Frequently asked questions

How do I attach a garland without damaging the mantel?

Use removable adhesive hooks, weighted garland holders, or weight the garland down with heavy candlesticks or objects at each end.

Real or artificial greenery?

Real greenery smells and looks better, but needs replacing after a few weeks. A good artificial base garland with a few fresh stems tucked in is a sensible compromise.