A Merry Christmas Mantel
Hi guys! It’s mantel time and it comes to you with a tiny story. You know how I made those Gold Glitter Ornament Lights? The ones below…
Well, I just couldn’t get them to vibe with any of my Christmas things. I spent a day moving things around and just couldn’t get it to feel right. So I stepped away, and gave it a shot again the next day. I was sort of bummed I couldn’t use the pretty sparkle lights but instead of fighting them, I let it go and I’ll try to use the somewhere else or gift them to someone.
I will tell you a secret. I sometimes craft with no plan in mind. Ya think? {hehe}
Back in October Jim and I were up in Eugene and I picked up 3 ornaments from World Market. They sparked an idea and I thought I would use them as an inspiration for our Christmas mantel. I sort of forgot about them when I made the gold sparkle lights. Well… once I placed those in my garland, everything fell into place and I recalled what came to me when I saw them.
I was back on track!
Can you guess which one I saw first?
Yep. That little fox said; “Oh Shanni, you need me”.
And I have friends too.
I was able to use the two vintage-y looking snowmen ornaments my mom gifted me a few years ago as well. I like having them featured on the mantel.
TIP: You can buy inexpensive, plain garland and spruce it up – Add lights yourself and save a bundle! Plus, you can use fresh greenery to plump up your fake garland and give it a realistic, “fresh garland” look. Most evergreens will work fine and you can use Holly and Pine Cones as well!
Plus, then it’ll smell like the real thing too!
You can pretty much use any variety of Evergreen clipping you’ve got on hand. Also, the stores will usually give you free cuttings from the Christmas tree trimmings as well. So you should be able to do this for free!
This is my version of a fresh garland, using my already existing faux one. I added lights myself, like I mentioned above, and even sprayed it with some faux snow to freshen it up. I am definitely getting my use out of this fake garland.
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I used clippings of Cedar boughs and Holly branches.
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To give it new life, I just tucked my sprigs of Cedar and Holly within the faux Fir branches.
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Feel free to use Pine Cones as well.
So it’s fake, with a little splash of real added for authenticity. A cheater garland. Which is fitting here. Since I cheat about everything.
Now that I officially had the mantel done. I turned my attention to my hearth.
(after a slight detour in which I painted my fireplace firebox)
I also stuffed my old sap bucket full of Holly!
Use what you’ve got right?
I’d love some Birch branches, but I don’t have any Birch trees on this property. We had 5 gorgeous ones at our last house… and I did contemplate a night raid for a few seconds. But thought better of it. Okay, I planned it out in my head. I know the layout after all.
I Christmas’ed up my HomeGoods lanterns. I hope you don’t tire of seeing them. I think they are going to be a decorating staple. I love those things! I cheated and used a few Dollar Tree Pine Cones. I’m surrounded my trees but ours don’t produce the fat variety I like. So if you don’t have big Pine trees, you know where to find some le’ cheap.
I’ll shut up for a minute…
Dead silence.
Did you miss me?
You know I’m a big ROSS shopper. I got this pillow there last year. Then proceeded to decorate in completely different colors. Hmm… I’m sensing a trend here. But, ta-da. Perfect this year. What a happy surprise.
I’m still thinking on the area above the mantel. Wreath? A red star swag of some sort? Not sure yet, whatever I decide, I’ll make sure to share.
From me and my little fox!!
A Merry Christmas Mantel
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Everything looks absolutely GORGEOUS Shannon!! You did an amazing job my friend! 🙂
Vanessa
Hay V! Thanks hun. Feels like Christmas now. Ready to get my ho-ho-ho on 🙂
You outdid yourself, Shannon. The garland looks fantastic and the ornaments are so, so cute. Love the lanterns on the hearth, too.
Thanks Sharon! It was a slow start, but I like it now. lol
Everything looks beautiful Shannon! Love the sweet little fox and the snowmen! I got the tall one a few years ago as a gift from my son. Love it!
Oh did you? I saw the full size too. It was gorgeous!!
Your mantel is truly beautiful. I love all your touches from top to bottom. That can on that silver tray is gorgeous and who doesn’t love themselves a candy cane!!! PINNED!!!!
Cynthia
Thank you Cynthia, I love candy canes at Christmas so much!!!!
I love the final version. Don’t change it!! Love the swag glimmering garland. Great idea to tuck the real in with the fake. Kind of like my hair and the color……
It looks so cozy there, don’t be surprised if I show up for some hot chocolate. I am freeeeeezzzzing here. And it is only about 55 degrees out. This weekend will be Christmas Decorating. Maybe it will warm me up. I am such a temperature wimp. Have a lovely and cozy weekend!
We are so opposite with that. I melt, you freeze. Thanks ninja girl. It’s a wrap. I won’t touch it. Promise :)))
so pretty and festive! I love the garland and the little white fox…Perfection!
Beautiful. Sparkly. Snowy. Foxy.
So bright, colorful and festive! I love it!!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!~~Angela
Oh how I love your mantel. Everything is so cheerful and pretty. The fox is adorable!!!!!!!
Beautiful! I love the garland, lights and lanterns.
Thank you so very much (: Happy Holidays to you!!
Love! Very nice. I have 2 mantels and one always has North Pole village and the other I change up. Hopefully, I will get a lot done this weekend!
Two? Lucky you!! Have fun decorating.
It’s a beauty, Shannon! You are a “mantel making inspiration!” How cute is that fox?
Pretty dang cute. I needed it. I was very restrained only selecting three ornies. It was tuff though. They had loads of cute stuff!!
Shannon, it’s just gorgeous and I love your fox ornament! Your mantel is the first one I’ve seen decorated this year and you are really putting me in the mood to get mine finished! Love that shot of the candy canes with the fireplace in the background!
Hi Jane! I finished yesterday and it feels like Christmastime now (: Thank you. I’ve been using my manual focus, those are such fun pictures.
Now we all know what the fox says. It says, “Shanni, you need me.” Does that mean millions of kids, including mine, will stop singing that song!
Sorry for the detour into one-hit wonders. I love your mantel. It is very festive, and I do love those 3 inspiration ornaments. Can’t wait to finish my Christmas decorating.
Everthing looks great on your hearth and mantel, Shannon!