Inexpensive Ways to Spruce Up Your Holiday Mantel

I really have a hard time spending money on something that will be up for a month out of the year.  I also knew I wanted to create more of a dramatic, minimal fireplace mantle for the holidays but didn't want to fork over the $100 plus dollars in good faux garland to do so. Also, who knows if next year I will want to do the same thing I did this year. Your girl is always changing things up. 

I went through my tubs of random home decor and pulled out a few strands of  6 ft artificial Eucalyptus garland that I have been holding onto for a few years. I purchased them from Target when Magnolia, Hearth & Hand Collection first came out. I of course obsessed over all things Fixer Upper at the time. Chip & Jo are/were #couplegoals, am I right?  After dusting off a few layers of dust and cobwebs, I was ready to get to work. 

I went with an asymmetrical look for hanging the garland because I purchased  pine trees to put on the left side of the fireplace hearth. The pine trees were purchased from the Studio McGee Collection at Target this year. If you haven't checked out the collection from Target or their IG page by now, you are seriously missing out! Every room they touch is gold! Okay. Focus Brit. Back to garland.  Having the garland drape down both sides of the fireplace AND adding the pine needle trees to the hearth would have looked too heavy. By doing the asymmetrical garland it created a balance in greenery between the garland and trees while also creating a unique look. 

I laid the Eucalyptus garland across the top of the fireplace, draping it down the right side of the fireplace. To keep my garland in place, I hammered in small, 5/8" picture hanging nails. You can also use commander strips, I just didn't have any on hand at the time. After making sure my garland base was secure, I then incorporated the good stuff.

 I stopped at a local landscaping company grabbing pine trimmings. The cost was 2 bundles for $10.  Each bundle containing approx. 8 branches. Using floral wire, I fixed the branches to my original artificial Eucalyptus along the top of the mantle and then flowing down the side of the fireplace. I filled in the mantle until I felt I achieved the fullness I desired.

After adding my stockings to the mantle, that happen to also be Hearth & Hand, I tied bows from ribbon I had left over from my tree onto the garland.  It added a bit of color and texture to the mix. We are now feeling fa-la-la-festive over here!

XO

Brit