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Create festive Christmas fireplace decor with these seasonal decoration ideas including fireplace garlands and a mixture of natural greenery and glittering metallics.
How to make a greenery garland
To create a garland (like the one here), use a length of rope and cover with greenery, securing it with gardener's twine in individual bunches. Continue all down the length of rope, working in one direction until densely covered.
One trick is to use a mix of fresh foliage and combine it with artificial hips and berries. This garland combines evergreen foliage, holly, myrtle and ivy, combined with artificial berried sprays, pussy willow and hellebores. Using a combination like this means it becomes very hard to spot the faux elements.
Secure the garland with hooks or nails at intervals, or you can lay it along the mantel shelf so that it falls down in swags.
Where to buy alternative paper garlands
Use a paper decoration to create an attractive sweep along the mantel. Pipii have a good selection of cut paper decorations including honeycomb garlands.
Or, you can have a custom-made paper garland, like the one pictured here, which spell out a message (similar garland: £13.98, Amazon).
Another unusual garland for a fireplace is one incorporating letters or pom poms, try Pom Pom & Twiddle.
You could work Christmas decorations into your garland to make it feel more festive or dress the mantle itself with decs.
How to use candles on a Christmas fireplace
Candles lend atmosphere to any setting. They work particularly well in combination with metallic elements. Gilt picture frames, metallic decorations and accessories such as brass, pewter or silver look especially lovely in flickering candlelight.
Traditional hand-rolled beeswax candles look and smell wonderful, more expensive and faster-burning than solid wax candles, they are lovely for a special occasion when they scent the house with honey (£10.99 for five-wick beeswax candle, Amazon).
How to decorate with seasonal flowers
Forced winter bulbs such as scarlet amaryllis (£10.48 for 1 bulb, Amazon), scented paper white narcissus (£12.56 for 5 bulbs, Amazon) or hyacinths (£8.99 for 12 bulbs, Amazon) are a good choice for dressing a mantle and last well indoors.
They often get leggy and spindly growing in the warmth inside so cut the flowers short and place in low vases or a mug, cup or tankard.
Need more Christmas inspiration?
Browse our Country Christmas page for everything including festive home decorations, gift ideas and recipe round-ups.
Join us for a Country Living Christmas!
In 2017, we have four exciting Christmas events. Throughout November and December, we have our very own Christmas fairs in London, Glasgow and Harrogate. We will also be taking our craft and gift stalls to Ascot races in November.
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