My holiday mantle has changed over the years. I use different pieces and keep things flexible. I like to incorporate something fun for the kids as well as something a little more sophisticated for the adults although I know a lot of adults who would be happy with just the fun aspects of Christmas, reliving their childhood.
The items I have collected over the years have red and green and gold as well as silver in them. You will see the occasional blue or other color. I am not a stickler for symmetry so that made decorating the mantle easier. Here is what I had started with last week.
The Angel is from Treasure Island (now closed). I kept the votive as well as the little chair (a glimpse to the right of the picture) from my previous vignette.
These two stocking holders - the Nutcracker and Santa and a snowmen item (gifted to us many years ago).
Some of my favorite items are these three train pieces made of ceramic (from Treasure Island). Each was sold separately and I bought them knowing they would look best together. It makes me think of a favorite Christmas movie - which the kids love, too - The Polar Express.
I like to wrap a garland or two around the pieces. I had purchased two beaded garlands from Crate & Barrel many years ago. So I tried them out here.
It looked pretty but I was not entirely convinced.
I tried to work with this other garland I normally use on the banister. It was a little too full for what I was looking to achieve. I also removed the little chair. It had worked for the silver color I wanted to add but I did not want to crowd the ledge too much.
Lastly, I worked in this garland which I would otherwise have wound around the dining room chandelier.
This acorn is from a collection I have. I love the size and color.
I moved the two wire trees (another online purchase from Crate & Barrel from years ago) together. I decided they would look more substantial side-by-side. I realize they are tinted slightly different and are not perfectly vertical but that is ok.
Finally, the only two stockings we own..one for each child, I guess. Like I had mentioned in my last post, I had never put any gifts in them until last year and now I think the kids might be expecting that again this year. We shall see.
Santa has a strong presence on the mantle because his visits are looked forward to each year. We have left many a glass of milk and cookies which, in the past few years have become milk and carrots (or other healthy option) and have also left him lengthy notes to which he has responded. Every year he has even managed to find the time to pay us another visit while we are in the midst of opening gifts after lunch on Christmas day when we are with the extended family. At this time he walks in through the front door!
I am not able to connect a string of lights to the mantle but I have one little votive and could possibly add another one of the same kind. I think I am really happy with this right now. The most thought I put into decorating this space was in deciding which garland to use. The molding and sconces lend enough symmetry to the vignette and give me the opportunity to have some fun with what I put on the mantle. I have some cute pieces for the kid-at-heart, the trees, acorn and votive add some height and sparkle. There is certainly color throughout. The stockings add some dimension to the vignette and the garland ties it all together while adding some essential holiday (faux) foliage.
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Lisa
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