A beautifully decorated mantle is the crowning jewel of a well-adorned home during the holiday season. While wreaths, stockings, and tree decorations all have their special place, the mantle provides a focal point that brings together the style of the entire room.
For many homeowners, though, decking out the mantle can be a daunting task. How do you make it festive yet elegant? Can it showcase your Christmas spirit while still matching your existing decor? This is where prelit garlands come in – they provide a quick and easy way to create a magazine-worthy mantle display.
How to Choose the Right Prelit Garland for Your Mantle
When it comes to selecting the perfect prelit garland, you’ll first want to consider the size of your mantle. Measure the width from one end to the other. For the average mantle, a 6-10 foot garland typically fits well, but larger mantles may require 12-15 feet or more of garland. It’s better for the garland to be slightly long rather than too short.
Next, decide if you want a battery operated or plug-in garland. Battery operated allows for easy placement anywhere on the mantle without worrying about outlets. But plug-in means you don’t have to deal with changing batteries. Using an extension cord can give a plug-in garland more versatility.
Then determine the lighting effect you want. Classic warm white LED lights have timeless appeal. Multicolor options add more pops of festivity. There are also garlands with color-changing lights to set the mood. The lighting colors you choose should coordinate with your existing Christmas decor.
Look also at the decorative accents on the garland. Pinecones, berries, bells, and ribbon are all popular adornments. Make sure the colors and textures complement your design aesthetic. Garlands from National Tree Company and Northlight are excellent quality with tasteful accents.
Battery Operated vs Plug-In
Battery operated prelit garlands offer maximum positioning flexibility on a mantle, since you don’t need to place them near an outlet. Just use command hooks or garland clips to hang them wherever you want. Batteries do need periodic replacing which is an added cost.
Plug-in garlands mean you don’t have to worry about dead batteries. But you’ll need them near an outlet, unless you use an extension cord. Consider wireless remote controls for turning plug-in garlands on and off.
Lighting Colors
Warm white lights give off a traditional, nostalgic glow that’s perfect for classic Christmas style. Multicolor garlands provide more excitement and work well in family spaces. Color changing options let you manually shift between different hues.
You can also find prelit garlands with cooler lighting temperatures, like blue or icicle lights, for a winter wonderland effect. Just match the garland lights with your existing decor for a cohesive style.
Positioning Your Prelit Garland on the Mantle
Once you’ve selected the perfect prelit garland, it’s time for the fun part – decorating your mantle! First, determine the ideal height. Many people opt to hang the garland slightly above the mantle’s center. Use command hooks or special mantle garland clips to securely display your garland.
For wider mantles, ensure you have enough garland length to go across the entire surface. Allow the ends to gracefully drape down along the sides. For standard mantles, you can gather the ends in the center above the stockings for a soft, billowy effect.
If your garland is a bit too short, try positioning it only along the top length of the mantle. Or hide the gap in the middle with a holiday floral arrangement or decor. For longer garlands, wrap the ends around banisters or railings to incorporate other areas.
Hanging Your Garland
Command hooks that stick on without nails or hooks are perfect for temporarily displaying your garland. Space hooks 2-3 feet apart. Look for wreath hanging hooks specifically sized for garlands.
For a more permanent option, install garland clips along the top of the mantle. These provide a shelf to neatly rest the garland. Mantle valances also anchor garlands in place on top of the mantle.
Achieving the Right Drape
After securing your garland, shape it with artful swoops and gathers. Mimic the natural draping of greenery. Allow some sections to gracefully bell out while keeping other parts close to the mantle. Play with different heights and densities. Frame photos or stockings with small swags and flourishes. Step back periodically to ensure it looks balanced and full.
Decorating Your Prelit Garland for the Mantle
Once your garland is hung, it’s time to deck it out! Start by wrapping sections with coordinating ribbon. Velvet and burlap are popular for a luxury look. Plaid is traditional for a rustic Christmas vibe. Incorporate pops of your accent color from ornaments or other decor.
Next, tuck in sprigs of foliage, floral stems, or berry branches. Use floral wire to securely attach. Try pine, eucalyptus, red winter berries, or classic holly. Accent with pinecones, curly willow stems, or a few Christmas tree ornaments.
If you want to add some literal sparkle, attach sparse amounts of glitter or other shimmery embellishments. Scatter them along as accents rather than coating the entire garland. Spritz on faux snow spray for a frosty wintry effect.
For thematic charm, adorn your garland with coordinating decorations. For a woodland style, use mini critters and wood slices. Go elegant with beads, lace and feathers. Kids love seeing their handmade ornaments on the garland.
Incorporating Ribbon
Wrap 3-5 foot sections of ribbon around your garland, securing at the back or with floral wire. Use a few different widths and patterns for interest. Coordinate colors with your existing Christmas decor. Velvet, burlap and plaids work well.
Adding Natural Elements
Wire in sprigs of winter foliage like pine, magnolia, eucalyptus or holly for organic appeal. Accent with a few floral blooms or red winterberry branches. Pinecones and curly willow stems also enhance garlands.
Displaying Ornaments
Strategically hanging a few complementary ornaments along the garland creates a whimsical look. Opt for plastic or wood versus fragile glass. Scatter them sparsely so they stand out as accents to the garland.
Powering Your Prelit Garland
To make things easy, it’s best to choose either a battery operated or plug-in garland and stick with that. Converting back and forth is challenging. For battery operated garlands, use only new, premium batteries to maximize lifespan.
When possible, remove batteries when not in use to avoid corrosion. Keep spare batteries on hand for quick swaps when they run out. For plug-ins, ensure sufficient extension cord length. Use wireless remotes to conveniently control them.
If you’re tech-savvy, sync your lights to a smart home system. This allows voice or app control to turn the garland on and off or set lighting colors and effects. Just make sure any smart products you use are rated for outdoor use.
Maximizing Battery Life
Stick with new, premium alkaline batteries in your garland. Lithium may last a little longer. When possible, remove batteries when the garland isn’t in use to prevent corrosion.
If batteries seem to drain quickly, check for loose connections or faulty wires. Also avoid turning the garland on and off frequently, as this drains the batteries faster.
Using Extension Cords
For plug-in garlands, ensure you have sufficient extension cord length to comfortably reach the nearest outlet. Avoid overloading the cord with too many decorations. Use heavy duty outdoor cords for safety.
Neatly hide cords behind furniture or along corners of walls. Use cord covers to protect them from foot traffic and prevent tripping hazards.
Maintaining Your Prelit Garland
With proper care and storage, a quality prelit garland can last for many years. Before carefully packing it away, check for any damage to the lights or decorations. Replace burned out bulbs and re-connect loose wires.
Wrap each section in plastic bags or sheeting to protect from moisture and dust. Pack decorations separately with padding. Store the garland in a dry, cool place away from direct heat or sunlight.
Before reusing, always test the lights first. Replace any batteries and ensure wires are still intact. Fluff out and reshape the garland to remove any smashing from storage before displaying.
Checking for Damage
Inspect lights closely for broken bulbs or exposed wires before storing. Replace bulbs promptly to avoid issues next season. Look for ribbon fraying or loosening decorations and re-attach them.
Protecting in Storage
Gently wrap garland sections in plastic sheeting or bags before packing away. This prevents moisture damage and crushing. Pack any removable decorations separately with tissue or bubble wrap.
Test Lights Before Reusing
Unpack your prelit garland in advance to test the lights and replace batteries or bulbs, if needed. This avoids finding issues at the last minute when decorating. Check wires for any damage from storage.
Alternative Non-Prelit Garland Options
Looking for something beyond the typical prelit pine or berry garland? Get creative with garlands made from ribbon, paper, felt or even unexpected materials like popcorn. Then add your own lighting effects.
Ribbon garlands allow complete control over colors and patterns. Twist and wrap varying widths and textures of ribbon around a wire base. Accent with flowers, greenery, leaves or ornaments.
For a homespun look, create a garland from paper like in a children’s arts and crafts project. Use patterned scrapbook paper, music sheets, book pages, maps or wrapping paper.
Felt garlands embroidered with holiday shapes allow unlimited creativity. Shape wire into your preferred garland form, then surround it with cut felt pieces in fun designs. Finish it off with miniature lights.
Popcorn garlands are a retro choice that kids love helping make. Simply string popped popcorn with a sturdy thread or fishing line. Add cranberries or beads for color if desired. Drape lights along the garland to illuminate it.
Ribbon Garlands
Twist varying widths of ribbon around a flexible wire base secured to hooks on the wall or mantle. Use patterns like stripes, plaids and dots. Accent with greenery, feathers or flowers.
Paper Garlands
Wrap torn or cut paper like scrapbook paper, sheet music or maps around wire or string. Glue or tie paper in place. Decorate with washi tape, ribbon, glitter, origami shapes.
Felt Garlands
Cut out holiday-themed felt shapes like stars, hearts or circles. Attach felt pieces around a wire garland base using fabric glue or stitches. Decorate as desired.
Popcorn Garlands
Thread popped popcorn and optional cranberries onto thick baker’s twine or fishing line. Tie onto mantle hooks and intersperse with mini lights. Spray with lemon juice and salt to preserve it.
Decorating your mantle for the holidays just got a whole lot easier with prelit garlands. Take the guesswork out of achieving a picture-perfect mantle display. Choose a garland that reflects your personal Christmas style – classic, rustic, elegant or whimsical.
Position your garland prominently across the mantle to anchor your decor. Embellish with gorgeous accents to make it shine. Then plug it in or power it up and let your mantle become the shining star of the season. With the right prelit garland, you’ll love spending evenings cozied up next to a beautifully adorned fireplace.
