Time to decorate your fireplace for Christmas? Find inspiration amongst these original ideas!

Once Halloween festivities are over, we immediately start thinking about decorating the house for the Christmas holidays. And many start putting up Christmas decorations from the beginning of November.

Those who have a fireplaces in their homes can benefit from the fact that these can serve as an excellent starting point for putting up the first of their Christmas decorations. So, given this, how exactly can one decorate a fireplace for Christmas?

If you're not quite sure how to decorate your fireplace for Christmas this year, check out the suggestions detailed below:

1. Less is more

@thesierrashome/Instagram

For those who don't have much time and/or prefer an understated style, a minimalist decor is the answer: simple strings of pearls in a neutral color, a small, green garland with white lights and, of course, Christmas stockings. This arrangement is completed by adding two tall candles to set a warm, "Christmassy vibe".

2. Warm, furry desires

@victorycottage/Instagram

Add warmth to your living room at Christmastime by using soft fabrics and fur Christmas stockings. Complete the decor by adding pine sprigs (or similar greenery) and a wreath of dried flowers. Now, you'll have a Christmas fireplace in a wonderful country-chic style.

3. A triumph of light

@prettyandprintedshop/Instagram

Christmas is, as we all know, a celebration of light.

So, why not celebrate this fact by decorating the fireplace with lots of candles? Add seasonal, green foliage and the same ball oranments that you've used on your Christmas tree to create a harmonious, brightly-illuminated whole.

4. Natural and neutral

@jodieadelehome/Instagram

Those who love a more natural look, the charm of decorations made from burlap and hemp thread and fabrics will surely be irresistable. Add small winter animals (like reindeer) made from woven branches and embellish the arrangement with pine cones and colored lights to complete the look.

5. Traditional white and red

@birchlanebyjennifer/Instagram

Traditionalists may prefer to use decorations in white and red (ie. the classic Christmas colors), with small fir trees decorated with lights, colored ball ornaments and artificial snow. And a picture of Santa Claus is, of course, a "must-have".

6. Rustic elegance in green and gold

@thetatteredpew/Instagram

An understated decor style can be expressed in many different ways: how about an elegant, green garland with cascading golden ball ornaments? By adding small fir trees made from rope, you'll complete this graceful, rustic look.

7. Gnomes and silver

Gnomes are iconic of the Christmas holidays and can become the central theme of the decorative layout for your fireplace mantel. You can then add small, silver fir trees and a garland made of pine cones and fairy lights to complete the decor. Then, all that remains is to hang up your "sober" Christmas stockings, like the ones shown here!

8. Understated elegance

@ahousewebuilt/Instagram

In the understated, elegant layout shown here, a plain green garland, stylized deer, white decorative stars and a few golden bells have been used as the main decorative elements. Liven up the ensemble by adding branches of red berries in a white, ceramic vase.

9. Nostalgia and tradition

@havemantelbreakdown/Instagram

For those who want to feel like a child again at Christmastime, decorating the fireplace with Santa Clauses, snowmen, nutcrackers and snow-covered fir trees flanking the Nativity Scene, is a must.  And leave some space in a corner for "old-worldy" stuffed toys (like the ones shown here).

10. Prominent neutrality

@birchlanebyjennifer/Instagram

Decorating your fireplace in predominently neutral tones - as shown here - will give your living room a quiet elegance. This will allow you to perfectly integrate your decorations into the furnishings whilst adding warmth.

Have you already decorated your fireplace for Christmas?