Tag Archives: stockings

There are lots of opportunities to feature your mantel this week.  Check out the parties (see my link ups at the bottom of the page), and join in the fun!

I’ve had my mantel ready since the weekend after Thanksgiving.  So, I’m very excited to show it to you today.   I got inspiration from various places…Pinterest, blogs, etc., did a mental mix and match of the elements that I wanted to put together, and got to decorating!  I used an earth tone color palette of brown, green, bronze, white and cream with a splash of seasonal red.

It was not intentional on my part, but I love how the reflection of the light in the mirror shines above the nativity like the star that guided the Wise Men.

Kelly from the Essence of Home  posted pictures from a shop she visited, and I loved the berries, bows and bells on the corners of the garlarnd, as well as how the garland was draped across the front of the mantel.  That pic was quickly pinned to my Christmas decor board on Pinterest.  I incorporated some berries that had been purchased a few years ago, and fashioned some bows from ribbon I already had.  Groupings of red ornaments substituted for bells.

Somewhere online, I saw green apples mixed in with garland and thought it looked very festive.  It just so happens that I have some artificial green apples.  So, they made it into the garland.

Year to year I always struggle with where to put the nativity.  Since I wanted to keep the focal point of the decor in a monochromatic color scheme with the mantel, I decided to try it out.  I think it makes a great focal point.

I’ve wanted natural looking stockings for years.  Maybe something in burlap…but never felt like I could afford them.  So, I tried using some linen remnants I had to embellish our old stockings.  After staying up all night in an effort to save money, I ended up taking them down and buying new, inexpensive stockings at Walmart.  I’m really enjoying the new stockings.

 I’ve had my eye on initial charms for a few years, and this was the year to make it happen.  I bought the M and the S at Target for $2 each.  Not bad.   I need an H for the middle stocking, but they are hard to come by.   I still need to do something about the stocking hanger that is showing.  Any suggestions?

I’m enjoying my merry mantle.

Until next time,

Sharon

I’m linking to:

the mantel party @ my uncommon slice of suburbia

First Annual Holiday Mantel Party @ From My Front Porch to Yours

SNS @ funky junk interiors

 Speaking of parties, my very first link party is going on now.  Be sure to come by and link up.