Ten Christmas Garland Decorating Tips for the Fireplace

Looking for some great ideas to "spruce" up your fireplace this Christmas? Look no further! From seashells to family photos there are multitudes of fun ways to make Santa's favorite spot holly and jolly this holiday season!

1.) For a quick and easy decoration drape a red or green ribbon around the mantel and pin Christmas cards up with small straight pins as they arrive. By the 25^th you should have a full ribbon. Vases of winter greens on each side of the fireplace or mantel enhance this look.

2.) Santa visits the seashore just as he does the mountains. If you live by the beach, make your mantle décor untraditional but no less joyful by arranging large seashells in some evergreens or stringing small seashells and draping them over the mantle.

3.) If your entire family can't make it home for Christmas this year consider honoring them in your décor. Purchase or paint some festive red and green frames, fill them with family photos from holidays past, and arrange them on the mantle.

4.) Consider using the mantle as a place to highlight a collection. This works especially well if you collect a holiday favorite like Santa or angel figurines or stars.

5.) Candles make an easy and functional decoration for the holidays. Use different sizes and shapes of candles in the same color on the mantle and even in the fireplace and then light them all for a warm glow when company arrives.

6.) Another option for functional décor and warm light is to string up Christmas lights and fill different shapes and colors of vases with them, arranging them all on the mantle and plugging them in for a modern look.

7.) Do you have children? Children's toys provide many easy opportunities to add to your décor. Choose building blocks to spell out the words "Merry Christmas" or line up festive holiday trains on the above the fireplace.

8.) Erect a Christmas village above the hearth. Small ceramic homes are found at most craft stores. Add trees, people and light your village to increase the "wow" factor.

9.) Use your fireplace as a way to showcase your wrapped gifts, putting the smaller boxes on the mantle and arranging the other ones on each side of the fireplace for a festive decoration that has more than one use.

10.) Let kids help decorating the fireplace. Encourage your children to use construction paper to make a green and red paper chain and scissors to create old-fashioned paper snowflakes that can be arranged on and hung from the mantle.

Whatever Santa finds around your fireplace this season, remember that the best décor is unique, fun, and functional, so grab the family and start decorating!