Fireplace Christmas Decor: 10 styles you’ll want to try this festive season
Unmissable fireplace Christmas decor guaranteed to inspire you.
Fireplace Christmas decor is about as festive as you can get. Adding Christmas decorations to a fireplace above a crackling fire is the epitome of Christmas comfort. Ever wondered how to make your fireplace a bit more festive? Perhaps you have a fireplace that doesn’t house a working fire but is the focal point of your room, so requires a bit of Christmas TLC.
This blog dives into the facts and tips behind creating the perfect festive ambience. From timeless classics to modern twists, discover how to weave the season’s spirit into your decor with a beautifully decorated hearth. Let’s explore the art of fireplace Christmas decor – where warmth and tradition combine in a magical blend of cosiness and celebration.
Grab a glass of wine and a mince pie as we take a whistlestop tour of all things related to fireplace Christmas decor.
1. Create a foraged garland for your fireplace Christmas decor
Making a garland of foraged festive foliage is one of my favourite things to do at Christmas. There is a world of possibility with the size, shape and style of a garland so you can really let your imagination run wild. Keep in mind that some festive plants are poisonous so are best avoided if you have kids and pets. I like to create a base with chicken wire or a faux garland and weave the foraged stems in for full effect.
2. Style with a stocking
There are lots of ways to incorporate Christmas stockings into your fireplace Christmas decor and loads of reasons why you should. The fireplace is where Santa will arrive after travelling down the chimney right?! So it figures that you should adorn your mantel with festive stockings. Even if you dont have a chimney a Christmas stocking or two is a good idea as they add a traditional and nostalgic Christmas vibe, both of which are Christmas trends for 2023.
I styled the below festive mantle with the oversized red stocking a couple of years ago and it provided a playful focal point for our front room and a pop of Christmas colour.
3. Pick paper honeycomb decorations
Paper decorations are affordable, eco-friendly, lightweight and very on-trend, making them the perfect fireplace Christmas decor. You can easily make your own paper decorations if you are doing Christmas on a budget.
I love the combination of the white paper honeycomb Christmas trees with the beautiful greenery draped over the mantle; it’s subtle and pared back and would be perfect for the Scandi or White Christmas aesthetic.
4. Baubles rock
I love using baubles in a Christmas mantle display because they catch the light and the eye of guests relaxing in front of the fire. Baubles are the perfect way to break up large areas of green in your festive foliage, providing pops of colour or twinkling silver or gold if you embrace a more neutral palette in your Christmas decor.
If you don’t have room for a Christmas tree, you don’t need to miss out on all the bauble joy if you make them part of your fireplace Christmas decor. Why not make your own DIY marbled baubles?
5. Get cosy with candles
Candles on a fireplace mantel are iconic fireplace Christmas decor and provide the perfect festive focal point for your room. There are candles to suit all interior styles from traditional red Christmassey ones to ribbed or wavy modern ones in pastel hues, perfect to embrace the Blue Christmas Trend.
Pillar candles look lovely flickering in the grate of a fireplace if you don’t have a real fire. Whatever your take on this decorative addition, candles are always a winner at Christmas.
6. Mini Christmas trees
Mini Christmas trees make the perfect fireplace Christmas decor, especially for small rooms that perhaps can’t accommodate an actual tree. They can be styled on the mantlepiece or in the fireplace if it is fireless, and it’s a nice idea to backlight them with LED candles or twinkly fairy lights to emphasise their iconic festive shape in the ambient evening light.
7. Tinsel but not tacky!
Ok, I’m going to level with you; I’m not usually a fan of tinsel. My kids, on the other hand, LOVE it! I cannot deny that there is something particularly festive and nostalgic about tinsel, so it can make for playful and relaxed fireplace Christmas decor.
The tinsel-fringe garland shown in the image by Rockett St. George I can make an exception for as this is anything but tacky and garish and pure maximalist, marvelousness instead.
8. Light-up decorations
There is a huge array of light-up Christmas decorations available these days, far superior to those of years gone by, so it’s no wonder that more people are incorporating them into their seasonal decor. We saw lots of fab examples in the post I wrote about festive front Christmas door decorations. Light-up decorations can work really well for fireplace Christmas decor, especially if there isn’t a real fire as they can provide the focal point and the drama that would usually come from real flames. Light-up decorations can help create a warm and cosy feel that is sometimes lacking in a fireless fireplace. Light-up decorations are a great alternative to a real fire if you pets or children to consider.
9. Fairy lights
Who doesn’t love a twinkling fairy light at Christmas? Fairy lights are a super safe and easy way to create the magic and ambience of soft candlelight in your home. They are easy to install and versatile, as they can be used in practically any space (battery-operated ones are great if you aren’t near a plug). Fairy lights can improve your mood and set the scene for your seasonal decor whilst potentially saving you money as they are very energy efficient.
10. Rustic fruit garland
I made the below rustic fruit garland by adding the dried fruit to standard fairy lights and it was super easy to do. You can make your own dried fruit (I’ve shared the instructions below) or you can buy it easily too. I like making rustic and natural decorations for Christmas as it creates a lovely (and fragrant) display for your home.
How to make dried orange slices for your Christmas decor
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make dried orange slices:
Ingredients:
- Oranges
Equipment:
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Baking sheet
- Baking paper
- Oven or food dehydrator
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven or Dehydrator:
- If you’re using an oven, preheat it to the lowest setting (usually around 170°F or 75°C). If your oven doesn’t go that low, choose the lowest setting available.
- If you’re using a food dehydrator, set it to the appropriate temperature for fruit dehydration.
- Prepare the Oranges:
- Wash the oranges thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue.
- Slice the oranges into even, thin rounds (about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick). Use a sharp knife to ensure clean cuts.
- Remove Seeds:
- If your oranges have seeds, carefully remove them from each slice.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the orange slices on the parchment paper in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching or overlapping.
- Oven Drying:
- If using an oven, place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Prop the oven door open slightly to allow moisture to escape.
- Rotate the slices occasionally for even drying.
- Depending on your oven temperature and slice thickness, drying may take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours.
- Dehydrator Drying:
- If using a food dehydrator, simply place the orange slices on the dehydrator trays, making sure they are evenly spaced.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for fruit dehydration. It usually takes about 4 to 6 hours in a dehydrator.
- Check for Readiness:
- The orange slices are ready when they are completely dried, slightly translucent, and have a leathery texture.
- Keep in mind that the drying time may vary, so check the slices periodically.
- Cooling:
- Allow the dried orange slices to cool completely on the baking sheet or dehydrator trays.
- Storage:
- Once cooled, store the dried orange slices in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Properly dried slices should last for several weeks.
As you can see, decorating a fireplace for Christmas adds a touch of warmth and charm to the festive season. The flickering flames (even if they are LED candles or light-up decorations) and shiny decorations create a cosy atmosphere that invites friends and family to gather and celebrate. From traditional mantel garlands adorned with twinkling lights to rustic stockings hanging by the fire, the fireplace is a focal point for festive decorations. Whether you prefer a classic and timeless look or a more modern and eclectic style, there are endless possibilities to infuse your personal touch into the heart of your home.
