Decorating a Christmas Mantel Around a TV (Step-By-Step)

This year I wanted to decorate our mantel for Christmas a little different from all the previous years. But I needed to figure out how to draw attention away from the tv above it, make the garland look fuller/realistic/expensive, and also not damage anything with nails. So after some trials (LOL), I finally came up with an easy tutorial to help you layer items – to give you a beautiful and elegant mantel too. Let’s get to it! Decorating a Christmas Mantel Around a TV (Step-By-Step).

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Decorating a Christmas Mantel Around a TV (Step-By-Step)

Supplies:

(2) 6 FT Garland with Pinecones & Eucalyptus
(3) 6 FT Garland with Icy Juniper
(2) Natural Wooden Bead Garland
(4) Greenery Picks
(2-4) Gold Berry Picks
(2) Gold Bell Sets – similar here
(2) Light Up Cone Trees
(4) White Stockings
(2) Gold Candle Lanterns
(2) LED Candles
(2) Flocked Burlap Trees

Other Supplies:

Floral Wire & Needle Nose Pliers
Jute String
Packing Tape
(2-4) Pavers or Bricks
Scotch Mounting Tape

Please feel free to tweak the items with whatever you have on hand. I love to shop my Christmas “closet” first too!

You can use also use this step-by-step tutorial each year, and simply change out colors and accessories.

Ok, let’s get to it! Decorating a Christmas Mantel Around a TV (Step-By-Step)

Decorating a Christmas Mantel Around a TV (Step-By-Step)

7 Steps:

Use Long Garland That Hangs On Both Sides
Add Stockings To Center W/Tape
Use Pavers Under Garland For Height
Add Greenery & Gold Bells/Berries
Swag Wooden Beads
Add Tall Accessories to Mantel & Hearth
Use Candles & Lights

Little FYI:

I will start with the reason for each step,
Next the finished picture, and
Then I’ll explain how to complete it. 🙂

Let’s get to the step-by-step tutorial!

Step-By-Step Tutorial

Step #1: Use Long Garland That Hangs On Both Sides

I decided that a longer garland strand would distract the eye from the top of the mantel, and bring more visual weight to the sides/bottom portion.

Plus, it makes the garland look fuller and more expensive. Yes, please!

For this part you will connect (2) 6ft garland strands together to make one long garland strand = 12 ft.

I used the 2 pinecone garland strands pictured below, and then added 3 juniper garland strands (all linked above) to make it fuller.

*** I will do a separate post on this step – just to keep this post shorter.

Feel free to use whatever you have on hand.

Step #2: Add Stockings To Center W/Tape

Step #3: Use Pavers Under Garland For Height

I have been attaching our white stockings on the mantel with packing tape since we had our fireplace remodeled.

Placing the stockings in the center helps balance out the weight from the 2 sides, and draws the eye lower (where the stockings end).

The reason I used the pavers to the sides of the TV was to add height to the garland, and to be able to use them to hang the greenery on.

***I just want to add a disclaimer right here:

Please do not just put the pavers/bricks onto your mantel without reading how to secure them first.
You do not want the pavers/bricks to fall and damage your flooring.

For this part, I used 2 square pavers that were 5.5″ square x 2.25″ H.

Here is a picture of the 2 square pavers and a smaller paver – just to give you some ideas.

You can also use leftover brick pieces, heavy books etc. Just secure them first!

Secure Pavers to Mantel:

Now you will turn you paver over and add the mounting tape to the smoother surface.

Then just add the pavers to each side of your mantel, and push down to secure the mounting tape.

Step #4: Add Greenery & Gold Bells/Berries

I used the greenery, gold bells, & berry stems to the sides to add visual weight to the mantel, and to cover the pavers.

They also help make the garland look fuller on the sides, where we have extra space to fill.

This step will be a little different – for you and me – because I cheated and used a door swag that was already put together!!

Here is what they looked like.

But you can copy this too.

Basically just take 2 greenery picks, combine at the stems, and secure with jute string.
Then you can add the bells/berry picks to the jute string.
Finish off with the gold bells.

Use links in supply section for items pictured below.

So now I just hooked the jute string around the paver and let it hang from it.

Then I adjusted the string so that it pulled up closer and covered the front of the paver.

Step #5: Add Wooden Beads to Center

I just love the wooden beads because they are so versatile.

Here they add movement (swag), texture (round shape), and color (to break up all of the white).

So, now it’s time to drape 2 strands of wooden beads to the middle of the mantel garland.

Basically this will help draw the eye to the center, and add visual weight to balance out the 2 side swags/greenery.

I used 2 strands that looked like the picture below (only one pictured).

Simply use those loops on the ends to wrap around some of the branches in your garland.

Then weave/wrap one strand beginning on the left side, and one beginning on the right side.

Step #6: Add Tall Accessories to Mantel & Hearth

I used 2 tall cone trees on the mantel and 2 gold lanterns on the hearth – that are all 24″H. The flocked burlap trees are 18″H.

The taller decorating accessories help balance out the weight of our TV.

Basically it just looks like everything fits to scale.

(I would also recommend using something light weight and unbreakable for the mantel part).

Simply place your cone trees on top of the pavers (as best as you can). You might have to move some the garland around to get them to sit flat/even.

Then place your lanterns and flocked trees inside the columns to bring attention to your cleaned fireplace!

(Did you notice that I cleaned it on this picture and stacked it with the wood?)

And then my honey says…..

“You know that you put too much wood in there to actually burn it?”

In which I replied with…..

“I’m not PLANNING on burning it, it’s for looks only.”

But he forgot to notice that I. Me. Myself – was the one who cleaned it, and bought the firewood – LOL!!

Merry! Merry! 😉

Step #7: Use Candles & Lights

I knew that I needed something that had lights, or that I was going to have to add lights to, or use candles in, etc.

The lights and candles just bring in warmth and also distract the eye from the TV.

YOU ARE DONE!!

Now just sit back with your FULL bottle of wine – because well – you deserve it, and then relax for a WHOLE 5 minutes!!

Ok, time to move on to Christmas present wrapping (or buying still ;), planning Christmas dinner, cleaning, laundry, Christmas cards….. you get the idea.