Christmas Decorating Ideas ~ Our Living Room Mantel

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I’m back with more Christmas decorating ideas for you! I’m showing you my Christmas Mantel in hopes that it can give you an idea or two for your own house. Or if you are like me and just like looking at other people’s homes, it works for that, too!

I’m going to admit to you that for the last year or two, I’ve done the same thing for our Christmas Mantel. This year, inspired by Pinterest and other bloggers, I really wanted to do something different and have some fun with my mantel. I started with…

…the hurricane lamps I made over. When we bought our tree this year, as with most years, a few branches at the bottom had to be cut off. I cut them up and used them around the house. I love how the hurricane lamps look nestled in the greenery!

I added some of the same glittery filler around the candles that I used in the Christmas apothecary jars. I simply added the same glittery polka dot ribbon that I used in my Christmas garland and on the apothecary jars. I tied the ribbon in a simple knot so the ribbon wouldn’t overtake the lanterns.

I wasn’t worried about lighting the candles because the glass would keep any flames or sparks away from the greenery. Because I had recently painted these, they sure stunk like burning plastic or paint when I lit them. I quickly took the pictures I needed and blew them out. Doubt I will light the candles again. Might have to go for some flameless candles, though I hate the environmental impact of the batteries.

Next up, I added my usual garland to the mantel. I have used this garland for 6 or 7 years now. I add pinecones to it to give it a more natural feel. This year, I added both natural pinecones and a few glittery pinecones I picked up from the dollar bins at Michael’s.

After getting the garland in place, I worked on adding the trees I made for our centerpiece last year. I ended up winding the garland around the candle stick holders.

I love the look of putting the trees on the candle stick holders. It gives them more height and presence on the mantel.

I may have mentioned a time or two my love of gingerbread houses. Of course, I have to have a gingerbread house somewhere on the mantel. My mom got me this one a couple of years ago. I just love it!

I picked these two red trees up two or three years ago at Target. I think they are so pretty! I’ve used them a few different places, but this year the mantel seemed like the right place.

 All in all, I’m happy with how my mantel came together. It is a bit eclectic and definitely homey not magazine quality, but I like it that way.

How do you decorate your mantel? Theme, traditional, or eclectic?

I link up with these great link parties and at  My Repurposed Life, Between Naps on the Porch, The Scoop, All Things Christmas, and Savvy Southern Style.

© 2011-2013 The Real Thing with the Coake Family.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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