There’s something undeniably magical about a roaring log burner at Christmas time. It’s so much more than just the warmth – it’s the whole experience. The soft glow, the gentle crackles, and the way everyone instinctively drifts toward it as if pulled by some mystical, magnetic force. And of course, the family pet always claims the best seat in the house, stretched out in front of the fire like they own the place – because, let’s be honest, they probably think they do!

And because your log burner is going to be working harder than Santa’s elves this Christmas, it truly deserves the gift of a little TLC – and so does the fireplace that frames it.

Whether your Christmas fireplace décor vibe is traditional and timeless, clean and minimal, rustic and homely, or full on “more is more” festive fabulousness, the perfect Christmas fireplace balances style, safety, and a dash of log burning know how. This guide is here to help you do exactly that: create a festive fireplace that looks stunning, burns brilliantly, and keeps your home safe throughout the season.

So cosy up, and enjoy these 12 festive tips to make your fireplace glow with wonderous warmth this Christmas.

1. ’Tis the Season for a Clean Log Burner

Before the garlands, stockings and glittery accessories adorn your mantel, your stove deserves a little pre-Christmas pamper.

A few simple steps can completely transform your log burner’s performance:

• Clear out old ash (but leave a thin layer to help newly added logs ignite).

• Polish the glass, giving you a clear view of those enchanting festive flames.

• Check your chimney has been swept within the last 12 months to improve airflow and reduce chimney fire risk.

A clean stove doesn’t just look the part. It burns hotter, uses less fuel, creates fewer emissions, and keeps your home safer too.

For total peace of mind, book a HETAS-registered stove servicing agent. They’ll ensure your stove is ready to provide a season full of cosy, festive fires without any dramas.

2. Build Your Festive Fire With Kiln Dried Softwood Logs

There’s nothing more frustrating than staring at a cold stove in December, coaxing a flame while the winter air seemingly puts up a fight every step of the way. The flue’s chilly, the air is damp, and your fire needs more encouragement to ignite than a teenager being asked to peel sprouts on Christmas morning!

This is exactly when kiln dried softwood logs become your handy little helper.

Kiln Dried Softwood:

• Ignites quickly

• Warms your stove and flue quickly

• Clears cold air plugs

• Improves draw for a strong, healthy flame

Often wrongly considered as “inferior” to hardwood, softwood is actually the secret to building a fire quickly and efficiently – especially when your stove and flue are stone-cold. Softwood is perfect for brisk December evenings, impromptu family visits, or to enjoy another comforting rewatch of your favourite Christmas movie.

Once your stove reaches around 230°C, it’s time to bring on the hardwood (see tip 3!).

Festive Insider Tip:
Pop a stove thermometer on your Christmas wish list! It tells you exactly when your stove hits optimum temperature, helping every log burn cleaner, hotter and more efficiently.

3. Switch to Kiln Dried Hardwood Logs for Long-Burning Christmas Glow

Once your fire is crackling delightfully away, it’s time bring out the star of the evening: kiln dried hardwood logs.

If softwood is your appetiser, hardwood is the main course – delivering hours of steady warmth. Hardwoods like ash, beech and oak burn hotter, longer and more consistently – providing a clean, steady flame hour after hour.

Kiln dried hardwood gives you:

• Long-lasting heat that warms you through the night

• Cleaner, more efficient flames

• High heat output with low emissions

• Fewer top-ups – perfect for busy hosting or relaxing

While you laugh with loved ones, wrap gifts, or simply enjoy a peaceful moment of reflection by the fire, your hardwood-fuelled log burner keeps the whole room brightly glowing and filled with festive warmth.

We sell Ready To Burn certified kiln dried logs!

4. Choose Ready To Burn Certified Logs

December is busy enough – so the last thing you need is a fire that refuses to cooperate. Damp, smoky logs are anything but festive, and they certainly don’t belong in your beautifully decorated living room. Not to mention the unmistakable damp smell that can spoil the whole cosy vibe you’ve worked so hard to create!

Choosing Ready To Burn certified kiln dried logs ensures your firewood meets strict UK standards for moisture content (below 20%) and sustainability.

In simple terms, you get logs that are:

• Kiln dried below 20% moisture – providing more heat, less fuel, with low emissions

• Responsibly sourced – from local and sustainable woodlands

• Clean burning – minimal smoke and soot

• Efficient and reliable – better fuel economy and longer stove and chimney lifespan

By choosing Ready To Burn certified kiln dried logs, your log fire will burn brightly and beautifully. No smouldering. No stress. Your guests will be impressed… and they’ll probably ask for your log supplier’s details too!

5. Keep Christmas Decorations a Safe Distance From the Fire

We all love the idea of a couple of stockings hanging over the fire – it’s the postcard picture of Christmas charm. But while it looks idyllic, anything that dangles, swishes or drapes should be kept at least one metre away from your stove.

This includes:

• Stockings

• Ribbons

• Garlands

• Foliage

• Bunting

• Hanging ornaments

Heat and combustible decorations simply don’t mix. But don’t worry – there are plenty of safe ways to decorate beautifully (see tip 6!).

6. Style Your Mantel With Heat-Safe Christmas Fireplace Décor Ideas

If you want a beautifully decorated fireplace without the risk of any unwanted mishaps, here are some cosy, stylish and heat-safe ways to dress up your hearth this Christmas:

• Use heat-safe or LED candles
  Real candles do look gorgeous, but keep them on wide, stable bases and away from anything that could catch fire. LED candles offer the same warm glow without the open flame.

• Choose fire-safe garlands and greenery
  Opt for non-flammable garlands or keep natural foliage securely fastened and positioned well away from the stove’s heat.

• Secure stockings and décor properly
  Hang stockings from sturdy hooks at the sides of the fireplace or on the mantel – never over the firebox. Keep fairy light cables neat and safely away from heat.

• Add a festive hearth rug
  A heat-resistant rug protects your flooring from sparks while adding an inviting, Christmassy touch.

• Use a decorative fireplace screen
  A festive screen adds instant style while acting as a safety barrier for children and pets.

• Keep flammable décor at a distance
  Paper decorations, cards and anything that might drift or fall should be kept well away of the fire and the heat zone.

• Be mindful with real candles
  Never leave them unattended and keep them far from greenery, ribbons and soft furnishings.

• Incorporate fire tools as décor
  Arrange your fire tools neatly for a rustic, practical touch that fits perfectly with a festive hearth.

These thoughtful, heat-safe touches deliver all the festive wow-factor without the worry. And with Christmas full of joyful distractions, choosing décor that looks beautiful and keeps your home safe is always the smartest — and most stylish — choice.

7. Create a Cosy Christmas Glow With Soft Lighting

Soft, twinkly lighting can instantly transform your fireplace into a Christmas-card moment.

For a safe, magical ambience:

• Drape fairy lights along the mantel, never the stove

• Add LED lanterns for balanced, welcoming warmth

• Layer battery-operated candles at various heights

• Choose warm white lights to provide a gentle, elegant glow

• Keep all cables safely away from heat sources

With thoughtful and well considered lighting, your fireplace becomes the beating heart of your festive home.

8. Don’t Store Firewood Too Close to the Fire

Perfectly stacked logs directly beside the stove can look beautiful on the Instagram or Pinterest feed – but it’s not safe and we do not recommend stacking logs next to your log burner.

High heat from your log burner can:

• Over-dry logs

• Cause smouldering

• Cause the logs to unexpectedly combust

To stay safe:

• Keep logs at least a metre away from your stove

• Use a small basket for the logs you’ll use that day – but not placed too close to the stove

• Store your main firewood supply in a dry, ventilated log store

Your logs stay in the best condition –  and your living room stays cosy and safe.

FURTHER READING: How to store kiln dried logs and keep them dry

9. Use Natural Firelighters for a Chemical Free Start to Your Fire

Natural firelighters, especially wax-dipped wood wool, make lighting your fire quick, easy and completely chemical-free. And the best part? There’s no chemical residue left on your hands when you get back to stirring the gravy or carving the turkey.

Natural wood-wool firelighters are:

• Quick to ignite

• Smokeless and odourless

• Chemical-free

• Sustainable and natural

• Hold a long flame

• Brilliant at helping kindling and kiln dried softwood logs to catch quickly

And they give off a subtle woody scent instead of harsh chemical fumes.

Always avoid liquid accelerants. They’re unsafe for log burners and can cause a lot of unwanted damage.

10. Add Festive Scents (Without Burning Anything in the Stove)

It’s tempting to toss cinnamon sticks or orange peel onto the fire, but please avoid it. Burning anything other than kiln dried logs can clog your flue and damage your appliance.

Instead, introduce festive fragrances safely with:

• Reed diffusers

• Scented wax melts (kept away from the fire)

• Decorative bowls of dried oranges and cinnamon

• Winter essential oil blends in a diffuser

Your home still smells like Christmas – without risking your log burner’s performance.

11. Keep Children and Pets Safe Around the Log Burner

A little bit of Christmas chaos is always to be expected – but curious children and pets can wander too close to that inviting glow of your log fire if not prepared.

A sturdy fireguard:

• Creates a clear boundary

• Prevents accidental burns

• Keeps the whole family safe

From tumbling toddlers and excitable dogs to the overly enthusiastic uncle after a sherry or two, a fireguard ensures everyone stays merrily out of harm’s way.

12. End Each Evening With a Safe, Calm Fire Shutdown

As the festivities wind down and the chatter quietens, be sure to give your stove its own peaceful bedtime routine.

• Let the fire burn down naturally

• Adjust vents as recommended

• Leave ash removal for the morning

• Ensure no decorations have accidentally shifted closer to the stove

A simple night time stove check before you rest your merry head is a good habit to adopt for Christmas – and for every fire you light.

Make This Christmas Your Cosy Fireplace Era

Your log burner is the beating heart of your festive home – where warmth is created, stories unfold and many more memories are made.

Whether you’re lighting fires every chilly evening or just for the big day itself, choosing the right firewood and the right setup make your Christmas safer, cosier and infinitely more magical.

At The Log People, we’re here to help you create that postcard-perfect festive glow with:

Mix & Match log burning bundles from The Log People. Use kiln dried softwood logs to build fires and kiln dried hardwood logs to sustain.

🎄 Ready To Burn Kiln dried softwood logs for quick ignition and to warm flues and stoves
🎄 Ready To Burn Kiln dried hardwood logs for long, luxurious winter burns
🎄 Natural firelighters for easy, reliable lighting
🎄 Kindling Sticks for easy and reliable lighting
🎄 Mix & Match Firewood Bundles – softwood and hardwood combos to build and sustain fires
🎄 Free home delivery – to your home, not the kerb
🎄 Pick your delivery days – select three preferred delivery dates at checkout (we’ll confirm your slot)

No matter what your Christmas looks like – quiet, chaotic, or somewhere in between – we’re here to warm your Christmas for less.

Here’s to your warmest, cosiest Christmas yet!