It’s the time of year when people all around the world begin decorating for the holiday season. A fireplace or mantle is the perfect place to show off some of your favorite decorations and holiday style. So how do you get started picking the best items to display on your mantle for the holidays? Here’s a quick guide to get you started.

Choose a Theme.

The first thing you should consider if there’s a particular color scheme or type of item you want to include. Your holiday mantle could look very scattered and disjointed if you just throw anything and everything on there without coming up with a plan first.

Consider if you’d like to go with a colorful theme or just white. Maybe you want to stick with a modern style or you could display all of your favorite vintage decorations. Whatever your taste is, there is a theme for you.

Take Inventory.

If you’re unsure of what theme you want to incorporate for your mantle, start by taking a look at the different types of decorations you have that might fit the space. If you have an abundance of metallic silver and gold items, that could be a good theme to consider.

Or if you have more green and red decorations, you should probably go that route instead. Once you have chosen one, you’ll need to pick out all of the items that fit. Figure out how much you have and how much you will still need to fit the space you have.

Choose Special Items.

Whatever theme you’ve chosen, it’s important that you include items that you truly love, since your mantle is likely a focal point that you’ll look at often throughout the holiday season. So whether the items are family heirlooms that are close to your heart or newer items that just look really great, make sure that whatever is displayed makes you happy to see.

Fill in the Rest.

Once you’ve added your favorite items and others that fit your theme, see how much space is still available and then head to the store. You can purchase small knick knacks to fill the space or even just use some garland or fake snow to make the whole thing look finished.

Pictures: 1,2,3,4, 5 and6.