How to Decorate a Christmas Mantel With Lush Garlands

By Noor Haddad | March 12, 2026 | 4 min read

Hi, I'm Kaari Sommer from The Sommer Home! Today, I'm sharing my Christmas mantel, including the garlands I chose, a new method for hanging them, and the finishing touches that…

Hi, I'm Kaari Sommer from The Sommer Home!

Today, I'm sharing my Christmas mantel, including the garlands I chose, a new method for hanging them, and the finishing touches that brought everything together.

I'll also share a previous year's mantel, which has a completely different look, so you have two decorating styles to choose from.

6. A Different Christmas Mantel Look

1. Choosing the Christmas Garland

After reviewing several garlands, I fell in love with a super-full, 9-foot garland with a beautiful drape. I ordered four to create the look I envisioned.

After reviewing several garlands, I fell in love with a super-full, 9-foot garland with a beautiful drape. I ordered four to create the look I envisioned.

Our mantel is over 7 feet long and 7 inches deep, so you likely won't need four garlands to achieve a similar look.

Wicker Park Set of 2 12' Oversized Cedar Garlands

2. My Trick for Hanging Heavy Garlands

My secret weapon this year is Command cord bundlers. They're a game changer for hanging heavy garlands!

Note

This garland sheds little black specks during installation. They vacuum right up, though, and I didn't notice any actual branches falling off. Overall, I highly recommend it.

They come with double-sided adhesive strips, and unlike regular hooks, their straps securely hold the greenery in place.

I placed several along the top of the mantel and started hanging the garlands from the sides, securing the straps around their middle stems.

I wanted the greenery to brush our hearth, so I adjusted the lengths until everything hung evenly.

I trimmed approximately a foot from each of the first two garlands to prevent the middle from becoming too bulky.

Two garlands actually create a beautiful look on their own, but I wanted something fuller.

I added the remaining garlands, lining them up with the first two and securing them together with zip ties.

I found it easiest to rest the greenery on the mantel while securing it from the sides so the weight wouldn't pull on the middle cord bundlers.

Once everything was positioned, I gave the garlands a good fluffing.

Tip

When we built our house, we installed an outlet beside the mantel specifically for Christmas lights. If you don't have an outlet nearby, battery-powered twinkle lights are a great alternative.

3. Adding Christmas Lights

I used three strands of lights, loosely wrapping them around the greenery. Afterward, I fluffed the branches to conceal the cords.

I wanted the garland to look beautiful both lit and unlit, so hiding the wiring was important.

I've used pre-lit garlands before, but I couldn't find one with this particular look without spending a fortune.

Once the lights were positioned, I used two zip ties to connect the garlands on either side, making them look like one continuous piece.

4. Decorating With Stockings, Bells, and Ribbon

Next, I added our antique brass stocking holders. They have adorable bow details, although the greenery hides most of them this year.

I hung three affordable cream knit stockings, arranging them asymmetrically on one side.

I've also displayed two on one side and one on the other, which looks equally pretty.

Next came a strand of bells, which I secured with another cord bundler.

I originally planned to add vintage-inspired ribbon bows to each stocking.

You can easily attach these by running a zip tie through the back of the bow and around the stocking loop.

But once I tried them, they felt too cutesy for my vision.

Instead, I draped a couple of neutral ribbons over the greenery. The velvet added just enough extra texture without overwhelming the arrangement.

You could also use a brighter ribbon or fun holiday pattern.

I absolutely love how beautifully the artwork above our mantel complements the greenery!

5. Why I Left the Mantel Undecorated

You may notice that I didn't place any accessories on the actual mantel this year. The reason is simple: I wanted the greenery to be the statement.

With such full, dramatic garlands, adding more decorations would have felt excessive. I love letting the greenery take center stage.

6. A Different Christmas Mantel Look From Last Year

Last year's mantel was much simpler, using just one pre-lit, 9-foot garland.

It arrived tightly packed and needed plenty of fluffing, but it was an affordable option that didn't require adding separate lights.

Because the greenery was simpler, I decorated the mantel with brass candleholders and flameless, real-wax battery-powered candles.

I used the same stockings, smaller bells, and a more symmetrical arrangement.

Above the mantel, I hung my vintage-inspired arched brass mirror, which looked beautiful against the candles.

Both arrangements are completely different, and I love them equally!

Final Thoughts

Whether you prefer dramatic, cascading greenery or a simpler mantel decorated with candles and accessories, both approaches create a beautiful Christmas display.

Don't be afraid to experiment! Sometimes you have to try an idea, see how it looks, and change direction if it doesn't work with your vision.