19 Cheap Christmas Mantel Decor Ideas That Look Expensive

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Cheap Christmas mantel decor is easy to find, because a mantel is one of the simplest places in the house to decorate and it does not have to cost much. I have a rough wood mantel in my own farmhouse, and some of my favorite looks came from things I already had, a drawer of old jewelry, a bag of pinecones from the yard and a roll of twine.

Below are 19 cheap Christmas mantel decor ideas, each with what it is made of and a quick way to pull it off.

After the list you will find where to shop for inexpensive pieces and a few styling tips so the whole mantel looks planned. If you are decorating the front of the house too, see our Christmas door decorating ideas. For a year round farmhouse look, try our antique farmhouse decor ideas.

1. A fresh pine garland with lanterns and a wreath

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Credit: The Frugal Farm Girl

This is the look most people picture first, and it costs very little. A long pine garland down the middle of the mantel, a simple wreath above it and two lanterns on either side make a full scene in about twenty minutes.

Tuck a few pinecones and dried orange slices into the greenery for texture. If you use fresh greenery, trim the ends and keep it away from open flames.

2. Old jewelry hanging from a barnwood mantel

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Got a drawer of earrings that lost their match or a necklace you never wear? Hang them from the front of the mantel on thin ribbon and they catch the light like tiny ornaments.

Silver and crystal pieces look best against rough barnwood. Add pinecones and a few glass ornaments along the top so the jewelry has company.

3. Brooches and glass ornaments dangling in front of a mirror

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A tarnished brooch from a thrift store is a perfect mantel ornament. Hang a few in different lengths from the front edge, with a teardrop glass ornament or two between them.

A mirror behind the mantel doubles the sparkle, and it is free if you already have one on the wall. Keep the garland simple so the jewelry stays the star.

4. A garland with vintage pendants hung through it

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If you would rather not hang things from the front, thread the pieces through the garland instead. Pendants and old earrings on short loops of twine hide in the greenery and flash when the light hits them.

Wire them on so they stay put. This one works well on a thick wood beam where the garland sits on top and the little pieces swing in front.

5. Paper snowflakes hanging over the fireplace

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Cut snowflakes from plain white paper, then hang them on thread at different heights above the fireplace. Ten minutes of folding and cutting gives you a whole winter scene for pennies.

Coffee filters work too and fold up very thin, so the cuts come out lacy. Make a few big ones and a handful of small ones so the group looks natural.

6. A snowflake wreath and paper trees on a white brick mantel

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Paper does more than snowflakes. Fold a few into small cone trees, stand them along the mantel, and layer white snowflakes on the wall behind for a soft, snowy backdrop.

Pair it with a plain green garland and white stockings and the whole mantel stays quiet and clean. It is a great one to make with kids on a snowy afternoon.

7. A row of pastel bottle brush trees

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Bottle brush trees are cheap, and a whole row of them makes a mantel look styled. Pick soft shades like blush, sage, cream and peach for a gentle farmhouse feel.

Line them up from tall to short along a white mantel. Dollar stores and craft stores sell them in small packs, and a mix of sizes looks better than a matching set.

8. Earthy bottle brush trees in mixed sizes

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For a moodier look, choose bottle brush trees in olive, sage, blush and tan. The deeper colors feel more vintage and go well with wood and stone.

Cluster them in groups of three and five with small gaps between the groups. A little frosted garland behind them finishes it off.

9. Pillar candles wrapped in twine with holly and pinecones

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Plain white pillar candles look far more expensive with a wrap of jute twine. Tie a small bow, set them in a bed of holly and frosted pinecones and you have a centerpiece for the middle of the mantel.

Use flameless candles if the greenery is dry or if little ones are around. The twine is a few dollars for a whole roll and you can use it on other projects too.

10. Candles in different heights with red berries

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Group three or four candles at different heights and the mantel feels layered with almost no effort. Wrap each one in twine, then tuck in holly stems with red berries around the base.

Stand shorter candles on a small saucer or a stack of books to lift them. Red berries add the pop of color, and a brick fireplace behind makes it glow.

11. A collection of snow globes

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If you have a few snow globes tucked away in a box, put them out together on the mantel. A group looks like a little village and needs no other decor.

Check thrift stores for old ones, since the gold bases look lovely on warm wood. Add a bit of white batting for snow and a short pine branch at the end.

12. Snow globes with a vintage winter painting

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Hang a thrifted winter landscape above the mantel and set snow globes and tiny trees below it. The painting and the globes tell the same story, which makes the whole display feel planned.

Look for old framed prints at thrift stores and yard sales. A gold or wood frame suits the look, and you can paint over a frame you do not like.

13. White stockings on a dark mantel

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White or cream stockings stand out against a dark wall or a weathered mantel. Hang them evenly and add a loose greenery garland over the top.

You can sew simple ones from an old blanket or sweater, or buy a plain set and skip the fancy ones. Small pinecones and ornaments along the shelf round it out.

14. Red plaid stockings with a basket of fruit

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A pair of red plaid stockings brings classic Christmas color to a white fireplace. Drape a garland above them with a few berries and pinecones and that is all it needs.

Set a basket of apples and pinecones on the hearth for a cozy touch. It adds warmth below the mantel and costs next to nothing if you already have the basket.

15. A pastel yarn pom pom garland

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A pom pom garland is one of the easiest crafts to make and one of the cheapest to buy. String yarn balls in soft colors along a greenery garland and add a few yarn trees on top.

Wrap yarn around your hand, tie it off in the middle and trim the loops. Kids can do this at the kitchen table while you string the garland.

16. Bold pom poms on a wood beam

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For something playful, use brighter yarn in teal, red, orange and cream. Pile the pom poms along a wood beam and let a few hang down the side.

A small wreath above ties the look together. It is the kind of mantel that makes people smile when they walk in, and the yarn can be reused next year.

17. A stack of old books with ornaments

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Old books look wonderful on a mantel at Christmas. Stack three or four with the spines out, set a few shiny ornaments on top and tuck in a few pinecones and a sprig of pine.

Thrift stores sell old hardcovers for a dollar or two. Pick ones with pretty covers in green, red and gold so they match the ornaments.

18. Books and a wooden bird beside a small flocked tree

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A short row of vintage books makes a nice base for a small flocked tree and a carved wooden bird. Hang a landscape painting above for a calm winter scene.

This one works well on a narrow mantel or a shelf where a full garland would feel like too much. Stand the books upright and lean a few so the line is not too stiff.

19. Cinnamon stick bundles tied with twine

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Tie cinnamon sticks into small bundles with twine and nestle them into the garland or line them along the mantel. They look rustic and they make the room smell like the holidays.

A few bundles go a long way. Buy the sticks in a bulk jar rather than the tiny spice bottles, and they cost much less per stick.

Where to find cheap Christmas mantel decor

Start with what you own. Then check these places before you pay full price.

• Thrift stores and flea markets. Look for brooches, old books, framed winter prints, candlesticks and snow globes.
• Dollar stores. Bottle brush trees, twine, candles, ribbon and ornaments often cost a dollar each.
• Discount retailers. Garlands and wreaths go on deep sale right after the holiday, so buy next year’s early.
• Online marketplaces. Local listings and buy nothing groups are good for lanterns, stockings and artificial greenery.
• Your own yard. Pinecones, evergreen branches and twigs are free, and they look good with everything above.

Styling tips for a cheap mantel that looks planned

Stick to two or three colors, such as green, cream and one accent. A small palette makes mismatched thrifted pieces look like a set.

Vary the heights. Put something tall on each end, something medium in the middle and let a garland or ribbon tie them together.

Reuse what you already own. A jar, a cutting board or a stack of books can be a riser, and a wreath can hang over the mantel instead of buying new art.

Make it a family project. Cutting paper snowflakes or making yarn pom poms takes an afternoon, and kids love seeing their work on display.

FAQ

How do I decorate a mantel for Christmas on a budget? Start with a greenery garland, add a few candles in different heights and one or two items you already own, such as old books or jewelry. Free pinecones and dollar store trees fill the rest.

What can I put on a mantel instead of a garland? Bottle brush trees, snow globes, a row of books or paper snowflakes all work without any greenery at all.

Are the candles safe near greenery? Use flameless candles near dry garland, and keep any real flame well away from branches, paper and fabric.