One question I’m asked every year is: how do you hang garland, stockings, ornaments and wreaths on a mantel or around doors and windows without putting holes everywhere?
That’s a great question. With a newly refreshed fireplace—stone front, wood-planked area above, and fresh paint on the surround and mantel—I don’t want to punch holes just to hang holiday decor.
Here are a few reliable methods I use that work anywhere you want to hang Christmas decorations.
1. Command hooks.
Command hooks are one of the easiest ways to hang wreaths, garland and stockings without nails. They have a non-damaging adhesive backing and come in various sizes for lightweight to slightly heavier items. I place small hooks at the back and sides of my mantel; sometimes a hidden nail works fine too, but hooks are great when you want to avoid holes.
Larger adhesive hooks hold wreaths securely on walls or planked surfaces where nails aren’t desirable. They’re also useful for anchoring garlands around doors and windows. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and removal, and make sure the surface is clean, dry, and dust-free before sticking the hook.
Avoid placing adhesive hooks too close to heat sources, like an active fireplace, since high heat can weaken the adhesive. For safety, I remove fragile ornaments from the mantel when we have a fire to prevent them from getting too hot or breaking.
2. Twine, thread, ribbon or clear fishing line.
To achieve different hanging heights, use brown twine for a rustic look, festive ribbon for a decorative touch, or clear fishing line for an almost invisible suspension. White thread or thin string also works depending on your aesthetic. Stick a discreet hook where needed, then hang ornaments, stockings, or other pieces from the twine or line attached to that hook.
I once hung gold mirrored ornaments from a dining room lantern with clear fishing line so the suspension disappeared at a distance and only the ornaments were visible. The same idea works on mantels and windows: one hook can support multiple pieces at varied lengths.
3. Branches or large sticks.
A simple birch branch makes a beautiful, natural display. This year I used one I found on a walk, set it across the mantel, and hung ornaments directly from it. The branch was heavy enough to stay in place, though you can secure it with hooks for extra stability. I also wrapped beaded string lights around the branch for added sparkle. Last year I suspended a branch across a window and hung ornaments from it, anchoring the branch with a single hook instead of securing each ornament individually.
Thanks to everyone who left kind comments on my Christmas house tour. It’s fun to open my home and share different angles so you can feel the flow of the rooms. I enjoy seeing how others decorate too—there’s always inspiration to borrow.
I’m still doing small updates around the house and just put up a very large tree (I shared it on Instagram), so I’ll show that and the finished front porch soon.
There are many Christmas house tours hosted by bloggers this week. If you enjoy seeing different holiday homes, check the curated lists that bloggers post—these tours showcase a range of creative and ambitious decorating ideas.
I admire how much effort everyone puts into their tours. Even when I feel like I haven’t done as much, I still love browsing other homes for fresh ideas and encouragement.
How’s your week going so far? 🙂
