Is your fireplace mantel missing that extra bit of something this Christmas? Perhaps it's time to add some garland!

So you've got your mantel and the vision of a class Christmas. But figuring out how to hang garland on a mantel can be a bit frustrating if you don't know what you're doing.

I've put together this quick guide to help you hang garland on a mantel well in time for Christmas. Having a mug of something warm to sip while you do it is, of course, purely optional (but highly recommended)!

All garlands are not created equal. Before you even think about hanging it, you want to make sure you have the right kind for your living room.

• Faux or Fresh? Fresh smells amazing and brings that nostalgic forest scent, but it dries out quickly and drops needles. Faux can be used year after year and is often easier to work with.
• Pre-lit or DIY? Pre-lit garland saves time, but DIYing your own with lights gives you full control over the ambiance.
• Fluffy or Simple? Thicker garland looks lush, especially over a big fireplace. Slimmer styles work better on narrow mantels.

If you're going with faux, fluff it out! Those branches are usually packed flat, and a few minutes of attention will get it looking good.

It's way better to gather all your supplies before. I don't want you trying to wing it while standing on a stool with your hands full. Safety first please!

Here's what you might need:

• Garland
• Hooks or Command strips (clear ones are best for minimal visual clutter)
• Floral wire or twist ties
• Command hooks or stocking holders
• String lights (if your garland is not pre-lit)
• Ornaments, ribbon, or bells for extras

Okay, time to hang. You've got options here:

If your mantel has an underside lip, clear adhesive hooks can be stuck there. Wrap floral wire around your garland and attach to the hooks. Also, everything stays hidden this way.

These are great if your garland is on the lighter side. Just layer the garland behind or drape it around them. Add stockings for a sweet touch.

For a more secure hold, loop wire around parts of the garland and tie it to small nails or hooks placed behind the mantel. No one will see them, and it holds everything snug.

For a more organic look, just drape it over and let the ends hang off either side. Add a few hidden anchors underneath so it doesn't slide.

Once it's up, step back. Literally. Get a few feet away and squint.

• Are both sides even?
• Is it too bunched in one area?
• Do the lights (if any) look like they belong, or are they haphazard?

TIP: Use ribbon to fill in gaps or redirect the eye. And don't be afraid to tweak as you go. Christmas decor shouldn't take too much effort, but it's almost never perfect the first go round.

Once your garland is secure, it's time for the fun stuff.

Try:

• Mini ornaments in a color scheme (gold, silver, cranberry, etc.)
• Ribbon bows at the center or edges
• Dried orange slices or cinnamon sticks for a warm, spiced look
• Bells, pinecones, berries
• Name tags above each stocking if you're really going all in

If you have an active fireplace that you'll be using throughout the season, then keep in mind that you're going for festive, not fire hazard.

There's no one right way, but here's what I like to do.

Hang your garland first, get it exactly how you want it, and then add the stockings. This way, they don't block the flow of the greenery and you can space them out naturally.

Command hooks on the underside of the mantel work wonders for this.

• It keeps falling down. Use extra wire or more hooks. Sometimes one or two just isn't enough.
• It looks droopy in weird spots. Anchor those sections with hidden hooks or tack the wire in place.
• It's too short. Tie in a second strand and hide the connection with ribbon or a decorative ornament.
• It sheds. A lot. For real greenery, mist lightly every few days. For faux, give it a shake outside before hanging.

It's finally up, woohoo! Now for some tips to make your simple garland look like it came straight out of a Hallmark movie.

• Add battery-powered taper candles to the top of the mantel
• Add in photos from past Christmases
• Use mini chalkboard signs with festive words like "Noel" or "Merry"
• Hanging garland doesn't need to be perfect. In fact, I find that a little asymmetry makes it look more natural.
• Match your garland decor to the tree for a full-room cohesion.

• Use twist ties for easy adjustments. Floral wire is great, but twist ties make it easy to reposition without cutting new pieces each time.
• Layer different garlands for a fuller look. Try combining a leafy base with a beaded garland or one with lights.
• Hide wires with ribbon or greenery. No one needs to see the behind-the-scenes.
• Use a level if you're Type A. A slightly tilted garland can drive you crazy if you're a perfectionist.
• Fluff, fluff, fluff. I can't stress this enough. Fluff those branches until it feels like it takes up space in the room.

What do you think, not so bad right? Now that your garland is up, it's officially Christmas in your living room.

Now it's time to cue up your favorite holiday playlist and admire your handiwork. You've earned it!

If you want to set up your own space online to share ideas like this without starting from scratch, you can grab the exact template I used to build this site below.