Reclaimed Beam Christmas Mantel

Today I’m sharing our reclaimed beam Christmas mantel with you guys! I’m also sharing the step by step process if you’re looking to create a thick, beautiful, cedar, and eucalyptus garland like this one!

Last week I shared a little reel on Instagram of our reclaimed beam Christmas mantel. I had some questions come in about how I hung my garland and what I used, so I thought I would write up a blog post for you guys and answer all of your questions! 

This post contains affiliate links. For my full disclosure, click here.

This is my very first time decorating our barn beam mantel. If you’ve been following me for a while you know that we installed the beam this past spring, and I absolutely love the way it looks in our living room. It’s always been a dream of mine to have a rustic beam in our living room, and sometimes I still can’t believe that we finally have one!

Since the cabinet above the fireplace holds our television, I didn’t want to block the doors with greenery. We aren’t big TV watchers, but we absolute love Christmas movies during this time of the year. Rather than laying garland on top of the beam, I decided to hang it below. 

Reclaimed Beam Christmas Mantel Step by Step

Step 1 – Cup Hooks

The first thing I did to create this beautiful Christmas mantel was screw in some small gold cup hooks directly into the beam. Since they are underneath my mantel, no one will ever see the holes. Plus, my beam is a bit rustic anyway so even if you could see them, I’m sure it wouldn’t matter much. 

Step 2 – Cedar Garland

The next thing I did, was hang some cedar garland I got at Marshall’s. I splurged and spent more than I normally would ($39.99), but since this is a focal point in our home, I wanted it to be substantial and more on the thick side. 

I do have other cedar garlands throughout my house, but they are much more skimpy and I spent a lot less. While I can’t link the garland I found at Marshall’s, I did find a similar one here if you’re interested! 

Cedar is something I truly love using during the Christmas season, but it really is sooo pricey. I try to buy a little bit every year, in hopes that one day I will have enough lovely cedar to hang all around my home. 

In the meantime, I love to use real cedar branches that I clip for free and tuck them all over my home. You may have noticed that I hung my garland a bit off center. I did this for a few reasons. 

First of all it helps to balance the stockings that are hanging on the opposite side.

And second, having my garland trail off allows me to hide the extension cord that is tucked behind the stone and down the wall. 

Step 3 – Pine Picks

After hanging the cedar garland, I like to beef it up even more by adding some pine picks that I got at Hobby Lobby years ago. I love that they look like real pine, and the wire allows me to bend the stem and hang them right on the cedar garland. 

Before adding anything else I like to string my lights throughout my garland, that way I can hide any wires with the additional picks that I add.

Step 4 – Eucalyptus 

I used two variations of eucalyptus for my Christmas mantel, and unfortunately I can’t link the darker variety because it came from a small shop that no longer carries it. The lighter variety, however, is available pretty much wherever flowers are sold, even Walmart!

I don’t use wire or floral tape or anything for the picks, I simply shove them into the garland and they stay perfectly all season long!

Step 5 – White Berries

Finally, I add some beautiful stems with berries for a pop of white. I like the rustic touch it adds and I think the berries tie into nicely to the white that’s on my Christmas tree this year. 

And that’s about it! Creating this reclaimed beam Christmas mantel was much more simple than it looks.

Have you decorated your home for Christmas yet? I’d love to know in the comments below! 

PIN IT FOR LATER

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