If you're an avid follower of Joanna Gaines – like I am – you'll know that every year she gives her iconic homeware store, Magnolia, a festive makeover. It's the annual reminder that it's (finally) time to start thinking about decorating for Christmas.
Joanna approaches decorating the store as she would a home – layering it with timeless holiday ideas that are simple yet so effective, and effortlessly easy to recreate. Her most recent Christmas overhaul has been on styling the mantel, transforming the store’s fireplace with heritage-inspired decor that feels warm, nostalgic, and perfectly on trend for 2025. Plus, it's all so easily shoppable in the Magnolia Holiday Collection.
The Christmas mantel in the Magnolia store perfectly captures the key holiday looks of 2025 – if you can call this timeless, cozy, nostalgic style a trend at all. This year, it’s all about tradition and togetherness – think Little Women meets The Holiday meets Home Alone – elegant yet slightly chaotic and wonderfully homely.
As with all good mantel decor, it starts with a garland. But we all know a faux garland often needs something extra to achieve the fullness and organic texture of the real thing. Joanna layers her Real Touch Cedar Mix Oversized Garland and then adds the Real Touch Foraged Red Berry Pine Bundle throughout, bringing in splashes of color and additional texture. These bundles are perfect for enhancing even a real garland, and the wire stems make them easy to shape exactly how you need.
Then come the stockings, hung on the Marble and Gilded Stocking Holder, so you don’t need to fuss with nails. The subtle gold and stone accents blend beautifully with the greenery. Joanna finishes the look by adding height at either end with candles and ornaments, mixing old and new pieces from her collection, and incorporating charming vintage books. The result is a vignette brimming with character and coziness – very on-trend for Christmas 2025.
Shop Joanna's Holiday Mantel Look
Using the Cedar garland for some color and texture, Joanna instantly evokes a wintery feel when she drapes it along the mantel. It's the perfect base that allows room for other decor to follow.
Next, Joanna goes in with the Marble and Gilded Stocking Holders to ensure the stockings can hang proudly all season long. I love their decadent feel, perfect for reflecting the light and contrasting against the greenery.
No mantel is complete without stockings. Made from a luxurious red velvet, the Syrah style is the perfect whimsical flourish that contrasts against the organic textures and nods to past Christmases.
I'm obsessed with this charming advent calendar. Inspired by vintage styles, this nostalgic accessory will make the build-up to Christmas feel even more exciting. For a balanced look, place it at the center of your mantel and style it with smaller pieces on either side.
The Etched Brass Nutcrackers take pride of place on Joanna's mantel. Positioning two on one end, they bring not only a familiar, traditional feel, but also transforms the display from one-dimensional into an impactful and eye-catching.
Finished in a chestnut brown, these taper candles are simple but irresistible. Joanna pairs them with the nutcracker candle holders, creating a charming corner that will catch the light and gently illuminate the room.
To offset the greenery and darker hues, Joanna scatters metallic accents. Positioned the Splendid Squirrel Sit About on a stack of old books, she creates a simple but effective arrangement, bringing presence to the other end of the mantel.
You can never have too many candles. Joanna's mantel proves this theory as she places a duo of taper candles at one end and this wintery scent at the other, perfect for evoking a sense of coziness come evening.
To finish off the look, Joanna places the Real Touch Foraged Red Berry Pine Wreath on top of a mirror above the mantel. This simple pairing creates the illusion of a bigger wreath, making the overall fireplace feel rather grand and statement.
From the seasonal garland to the vintage-style brass ornaments, Joanna's mantel display teaches us that with the right styling, there's no such thing as 'too much' when decorating for the holidays.
