1. CHOOSE SEASONAL FOLIAGE
For a truly authentic Christmas garland, the key is to stick to seasonal foliage. While blue spruce pine foliage usually accounts for most of the greenery, think outside the box and go foraging for flowers and plants that are seasonal to you climate.
2. TAKE INSPIRATION FROM YOUR ROOM'S SURROUNDING DECOR
‘Styling your home with gorgeous mantelpiece garlands should compliment your interiors yet remain in keeping with festive tradition,' says Ronny. For a cohesive Christmas fireplace that fits naturally with your own interior design style, take inspiration from your room when styling your garland.
3. DON'T FORGET FRAGRANCE
When it comes to mantel decor, one element we commonly overlook is fragrance. Pine greenery naturally has a beautiful earthy scent, but there's no reason why you can't introduce less traditional scented foliage either.
‘If fragrance is of the utmost importance to you, I’d select a combination of aromatic evergreens for your garland,' suggests Ronny. 'A mix of pine, cedar, eucalyptus, balsam, and juniper will result in a wintry scent.'
4. LESS IS MORE WITH A NARROW MANTEL
If you have an especially small or narrow mantelpiece, you might think festooning it with a garland is out of the question. However, there's no reason why you can't embrace this festive trend in your home, Ronny just emphasizes the mantra, 'less is more'.
5. ATTACHING THE GARLAND TO YOUR MANTEL
All those styling tips are all well and good, but how do you actually fix a garland to your mantel? Since your garland is structured around wire or rope, it's a good idea to tuck it into some circle hooks on your wall at the back of your mantelpiece. 'To keep the garland in place I use a thick cord,' says Lauren. 'If you have existing hooks or nails already in place, you can use them to hold the garland in place but it’s not always essential.'
6. DO I NEED TO WATER A CHRISTMAS GARLAND?
Since you're dealing with natural materials, a watering regime might cross your mind. In most cases, this won't be necessary because your garland is only up for such a short period, but if you've used lots of fresh flowers or foliage you might want to mist them to keep them looking fresh. 'Spritz all over with water so the cut stems can have a drink,' says Ronny. 'This will retain fragrance and extend its life.' You'll want to do this more regularly if you light up your fireplace. 'Once the garland is in situ you can weave fresh foliage throughout to refresh it,' Lauren adds. To cut out the need for watering completely, it’s best to use dried flowers. These are the best option if you use your fire.