I’m absolutely loving my magnolia wreath Christmas mantel decor. The magnolia wreath has been a longtime favorite, and this year it’s the star of my holiday styling. Enjoy a tour of my mantel and the living room accents that complement it.
I’m excited to share this year’s Christmas decor (part one). For a home decor blogger, Christmas decorating season is the highlight of the year—the big reveal after months of planning. Each season I tweak things, introduce new pieces, and keep a few cherished traditions in place. This post focuses on the magnolia wreath mantel, with a peek at the living room and a glimpse of the kitchen.
Want to Save This?
Enter your email below and I’ll send it directly to your inbox!
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.
I typically plan my Christmas mantel months ahead, collecting ideas and small pieces until the design comes together. Recently I shared my DIY Cathedral Window project and mentioned how much I love the magnolia wreath from Magnolia Market. It’s been a favorite in my lineup and now sits proudly above the mantel.
I keep the wreath up for weeks and add or remove accents as inspiration strikes. That slow evolution is part of the fun—I’ll try a ribbon, move a print, or swap a pillow until the mantel feels balanced and inviting.
Last year I bought two watercolor prints from Gracelaced to fill a gallery wall. This year that wall is filled with family photos, so I decided to reuse the watercolor pieces on the mantel. One is a Scripture print and the other a hymn—both feel perfectly seasonal and add a meaningful touch.
A small “joy” sign from Target’s dollar section ended up nestled inside my magnolia wreath. I painted it with leftover Stratton Blue (Benjamin Moore) paint to give it a soft, dusty blue finish that complements the wreath and other accents.
Navy plaid ribbon on the pillar candles and navy buffalo check pillows echo ribbon I’m using on the dining room tree. Those navy accents give the whole scheme a cohesive look—festive but a bit unexpected compared to the usual red and green.
The buffalo check pillows were on my wishlist for at least a year. I love how they tie into the mantel but I’m a bit protective of them around the kids—so for now they might live in the guest bedroom where little hands won’t reach them as often.
I couldn’t resist a cute countdown calendar from Target—such a simple tradition that brings daily joy. Each evening my girls and I move the marker together, which builds excitement and makes the season feel interactive.
We have a family tradition of decorating the living room tree with special ornaments that tell our story. Each year I buy my daughters an ornament that reflects something they loved that year—this year my kindergartner will get a box of crayons ornament and my youngest will get a baby doll ornament. Those small, personal touches make the tree meaningful.
This year I also added pretty elements to the tree—wooden skis and plaid ribbon—to make it feel more styled. Even a tree full of sentimental ornaments can look polished with a few curated decorative pieces. Since the living room tree is in our everyday space, I place non-breakable ornaments on the lower branches so the girls can play safely with them during the day and return them at night.
The dining room tree, by contrast, holds more delicate glass ornaments and is placed where we can protect it—yes, with baby gates when needed! Decorating should reflect how your family lives and what makes the season enjoyable for everyone.
Christmas Mantel and Living Room Sources:
- Christmas wagon throw pillow
- Ruffled burlap tree skirt
- Chandelier in the kitchen area
- Pottery Barn Twill Couch
- Cathedral window tutorial
More Posts You Will Love:
- Free Classic Christmas Printables
- Classic Ralph Lauren Christmas Decor
- Christmas Bedroom Decor Ideas & Inspiration