It’s Christmas time, and what a special time of year it is! It’s so much fun to break out those family favorite recipes, to plan for those special guests, and to get the house all decked out in holiday red and green, silver and gold. There’s a wreath on your door, twinkling lights and beautiful ornaments on your Christmas tree, and all those nostalgic decorations that remind you of good times in the past spent with family and friends. You want to make your house look special, both inside and out. But remember to put safety first; you don’t want to make this a Christmas to remember for all the wrong reasons!

Before You Decorate

Before you start to decorate your hearth, make sure that you put safety first! The beautiful glow of a warm fire adds to the festive spirit, and it might be very tempting to keep your fireplace running for many hours on end. It is recommended that you only keep a fire burning for 5 hours, and make sure that it is out before you retire for the evening. Make sure that you’ve had your annual cleaning and inspection before the holiday season hits so you don’t have to worry about dangerous chimney fires. Also, avoid the temptation to throw your wrapping paper in the fireplace, as this can cause fumes and loose ashes.

Decorating for the Holidays

After you’ve made sure that your fireplace is safe and sound, you can go ahead and decorate! Nothing is quite as cheerful as a well-decorated mantel over a cheery, crackling fire. There are many creative and festive ways to add to the holiday spirit in your home.

If you want to keep things simple yet elegant, try decorating with white candles nestled amongst the greenery. Try varying the heights of these candles for a unique and interesting look. And if you’d like to add a little color, try adding red ribbon or bows. The added glow will add softness and beauty to the room. Just remember to keep an eye on the flames, don’t let the candles burn down too low, and make sure that you blow the candles out before leaving the room.

Add some old-time holiday charm to your fireplace by decorating with an old-fashioned lantern collection. Add some greenery, red or white candles, and even some pine cones to create a beautiful, homey touch to your beautiful fireplace mantel.

To add a touch of winter’s beauty to your mantel, start with greenery, then add some fragrant winter flowers to the mix. Some beautiful blooms to try are winterberry, witch hazel, or winter jasmine. This can add an attractive, natural touch to your Christmas decor.

Safety First

Remember, safety comes first when it comes to decorating for the holidays, especially when you are decorating your fireplace mantel. If you have questions, give Chim Cheroo Chimney Service a call. They have the answers when it comes to fireplace safety.