Learn how to easily create a lush, full Christmas garland on your fireplace mantel for a gorgeous holiday look! With simple step-by-step DIY instructions, you'll have a beautifully layered look in no time!
This is the first year I've decorated a Christmas mantel with a TV mounted above it, so I challenged myself to use as much of the front space as I could for my holiday decor! See my whole Christmas living room right here.
I knew I wanted a full, beautiful mantel garland, but I didn't want to spend a fortune. I was able to use several garlands I already had and only needed to buy two new ones to get the look I wanted! I'll show you exactly how I did it.
By using several garlands together, with a very inexpensive garland as the base, you get a full garland look without spending as much. The first garland sets the shape of the whole design, so choose one that's fairly structured yet bendable.
I chose not to use a pre-lit garland because there isn't an outlet close to my mantel. But if you have one nearby, a pre-lit garland would look so pretty!
If you want to see how this garland comes together, watch the video I made below! It's much easier to show on video than with words and pictures. The video isn't anything fancy, but it's easier to follow each step that way.
Where to Find Beautiful Faux Garlands
These lovely garlands will make your holiday decor shine!
SOURCES: 9′ Unlit Pine Garland | Christmas Cheer Cordless Garland | Norfolk Pine Natural Touch Garland | 6′ Cypress Garland | Real Touch Norfolk Garland | Faux Pine Needle and Snowberry Garland | Faux Long Needle and Pinecone Garland | Real Touch Spruce and Pinecone Garland | Faux Juniper Berry Garland | Eucalyptus Garland | Faux Cypress Real Touch Garland
Supplies You'll Need for a Full Christmas Mantel Decor
Layering garlands is how you take your mantel decor to the next level. Here are the materials you'll need for the best results and cozy charm!
- Command Hooks – I love this mega pack because I use the same hooks to hang wreaths on my kitchen cabinet doors.
- 2 Budget Christmas Garlands – Use a basic 6-9′ garland that costs about $10-$20. I used two 6′ garlands, but if you can only find a 9′ garland, you can use it whole or trim off what you don't need.
- 2 Mid-Range Christmas Garlands – I got my mid-range cedar garland at Hobby Lobby for about $30-$40 each.
- 2 "Real-Feel" Christmas Garlands – Try something like a Norfolk pine or cedar garland. These run about $60-$100 each.
- Floral Wire (and floral wire cutters)
- Bells (optional embellishment)
- Battery-powered fairy lights (optional embellishment)
- Ribbon for bows (optional embellishment)
Note on finding garland: Over the past couple of years, greenery garlands have sold out in record time. If you're struggling to find one online, check your local greenery stores. I found some at a few places just this week, so hopefully you can find them too!
How to Make a Beautiful Christmas Garland Without Damaging the Mantel
1. Attach Command Hooks to the Top of the Mantel.
Attach three command hooks to the top of the mantel, with the hook side facing outward, depending on how you want to drape your garlands.
A traditional swag garland uses one hook in the middle and two on each end. If your garlands are really heavy, you may want to double up on your command hooks.
For an asymmetrical garland, you may only need command hooks on one side of the mantel, as I did in the photo below.
If your mantel is made of wood beams or looks more rustic than a white painted mantel, you might get away with just using nails.
2. Fluff the Garland
Fluff the garland and make sure it looks nice and full. Don't skip this step, because the more you fluff, the fuller the whole garland will look!
I like to fluff the garland after it's in place so I can see where the bare spots are, but you can also do it before hanging it.
3. Attach Your Base (Budget and Bendy) Garland to the Command Hooks with Florist Wire
I used two 6′ garlands and attached each one at the center of the mantel with floral wire. Then I draped each one across the front of the mantel, over the side command hooks (attaching with floral wire), and let them cascade down the sides.
You'll use this base to attach the rest of your garland, so make sure it's nice and secure on the command hooks.
4. Attach Your Next Garland to the First One.
I don't even attach the second garland to the command hooks. Instead, I use the bendy stems of the first garland to "grab" onto the second one.
Once it's securely in place, fluff the second garland as much as you can!
5. Attach the Last, Nicest Garland to the First Garland.
I repeated the previous step with the final garland. There are plenty of bendy stems on the first garland to grab onto this third one.
6. Optional Embellishments: Bells, Ribbons, Bows and Fairy Lights.
These are the bells that come in a 4-pack, all hung on one jute rope. They're sold everywhere but sell out early each year. Hopefully you can find them if you're still looking!
I used three sets of bells on my mantel for a total of 12 bells peeking through. I hung the top of the bells on the corner command hook and positioned the main jute rope at the back of the garland, weaving the bells through so they peek out the front.
Hopefully the photo above helps you picture what I mean, but it's much easier to see in the video below.
Then I added some battery-powered fairy twinkle lights to each side of the garland and attached the battery packs to the bendy stems at the back of the first, budget garland.
The navy bows are simply tucked into the garland at each point, and they stay put just fine! Other accents, like red berries, pinecones or ornaments, would be cute additions too!
I highly recommend watching the video, because I walk you through each step. Even though I don't take it apart, I think you'll understand it better seeing it "in action." I'll try to remember to film a video next year when I put it together again!
Note: Also, I apologize for saying "just" & "and then" so many times! I did it in one take and didn't realize how annoying it was until I was almost done editing.
You can also watch it on YouTube here.
I hope this helps you see how I made my mantel garland. I've been thrilled with how it turned out! I'd love to see yours if you add it to your mantel. Tag me on Instagram if you share it there: @turquoisehome.
Today in 2026, I'm still using the same garland-on-the-mantel method, but I like to change up the look a little every year. See how it looks from every angle this year here.
Final Thoughts
Decorating your fireplace garland is more than a simple aesthetic upgrade. It's a chance to express your creativity and bring warmth into your home. From classic greenery to modern dried arrangements, the possibilities are endless.
Even if you don't feel like a DIY expert, start small. Pull together items you already have at home, or visit your local craft store for inspiration. Before you know it, you'll have a mantel display you'll love admiring in the glow of the Christmas lights!
Feeling inspired but need a little extra guidance? Share your fireplace garland ideas or questions in the comments. We'd love to help bring your vision to life!
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