A Christmas mantel for my family – simple and beautiful
This year’s Christmas mantel is very simple and beautiful – just like the family I decorated it for! (The beautiful part – not the simple part!) ????
My family loves red and green, the traditional colors of Christmas, so this year I obliged them. I think I obliged them last year too, but hey, they all loved it! (We had a White Christmas mantel several years ago, which they also liked!)
The Christmas mantel garland
The Christmas mantel started with the garland, which I got at the place we got our tree. I really liked it because it had all these tiny little cones on it, and I thought that would add some fun texture.
When I saw those little cones, I thought it would be fun to do a tan and brown color scheme this year. But family requests had me going a different direction with the red, gold, and white.
Candles
I almost always have candles on my mantels – Christmas or otherwise – and this year I used my tall mercury glass ones. One of them is silvery and one gold-ish.
Ribbons
I almost always have ribbons on my Christmas mantel too. I was so inspired by my fellow bloggers and their curly ribbons this year, that I had to incorporate a couple curls!
Stocking Hanger
I tried something new this year for hanging the stockings. Our mantel is really beat up, so I’ve never worried too much about screwing hooks into it or pushing thumbtacks into the top to keep the garland on. However, we are slowly fixing things up, and I’m thinking about what’ll happen when I finally have a nice mantel!
Thank goodness for Diane at South House Designs! I got her ebook, and it gave me no end of inspiration. My new stocking hanger is a combination of a couple of her ideas.
And also thank goodness for Command Hooks! I put a couple large-ish ones on the mantel shelf, and hooked these white ribbons around them. Then I tied knots in them and slid a curtain rod in! Voila!
I can’t wait to hang the stockings on with S hooks!
Ornaments
I usually put some kind of ornaments at the edges, and it was so easy with the curtain rod! Here are the ones on the left.
And here are the two on the right. Mirror images. I do like symmetry!
I found these ornaments at one of my favorite nurseries a couple years ago. If you’re in Portland, be sure to stop by Portland Nursery and see all the great decorations they have!
Christmas Mantel Sparkle
And last but not least, some sparkle. I also got these sparkle branches at Portland Nursery, and they make a fine centerpiece for our Christmas mantel.
Merry Christmas!
This post was short and sweet, so if I left out anything you’re curious about, or if you have any questions or comments, drop me a Comment below. I love to hear from you!
Thank you so much for being here, and Merry Merry Christmas!
Your mantel looks so lovely and elegant Barbara. Enjoy the holidays with your family. Have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Thank you so much Edmee! And thanks so much for stopping by – I hope you’re having wonderful holidays too! ????
Simple, elegant, and oh so very pretty!!!
Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, and Wealthy New Year to you and your family
Pam
You too Pam! Thank you so much for stopping by and for being such a kind and wonderful inspiration, and friend! ????
Beautiful mantel Barbara – you have outdone yourself! I love the way it drapes over the ends and the mercury glass candle holders are so elegant. The ornaments and ribbon make everything so festive and the curtain rod for the stockings is genius! I must remember that. Wishing you the merriest of Christmases my friend!!
You too Sweetie! I hope you have a marvelous Christmas! ❤️????
So lovely, Barbara – Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much Jeanne! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas too! ❤️
Your mantel is gorgeous, very festive, Barbara! What a neat idea she had with hanging stockings that way! So clever.
Hope you have a beautiful Christmas and a happy new year. Hugs. ♥
Michele! Merry Christmas to you too my friend! I hope you’re having a wonderful season and get to spend time with your family. ❤️ Thanks so much for stopping over – I always love to see you! Hugs back!
This is so beautiful! If I were to walk into your home, I would feel so treated. I would just want to sit down, breathe in, and look around and enjoy myself and those I was with. I would feel like I was in a fancy restaurant and at an old friends house at the same time! Your tablescapes and mantelscapes are elevating. You have such a gift!!
Oh Karen you’re so sweet! Thank you! I wish you could walk into my house and spend some time one day. In the meantime, I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful Christmas and New Years. Much love your way! ????????
Your mantel looks amazing, Barbara! The curtain rod is a brilliant idea and I love that you added curly ribbons.
Merry Christmas!
Ha! I knew you’d like the curly ribbons, since you were one of my main influences with them! ???? I’m so excited to see how the stockings do on the rod – I’ll take some pictures and report back. Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!
What a brilliant way to hang stockings! And it looks beautifully elegant!!
I was so impressed with Diane’s ebook! Who would have thought there were so many fabulous ways to hang stockings without damaging your mantel?! ???? Thanks so much for stopping by Rani! Here’s to celebrating the season with one of your fabulous cocktails tonight! ????
So beautiful, my friend. Hugs and blessings to you. Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much Renae! Merry Christmas to you and your family too! ????
Beautiful as always my friend. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas! Can’t wait to hear all about it in the new year. Hugs
Chas – thank you so much my friend! Hope you have a lovely Christmas too – we can compare notes! ????????????
Barbara, what a lovely traditional mantle with beautiful red, green and gold. I’ve been enjoying all the traditional looks of Christmas this year. Wishing you and your Family a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas!
Lynne
Thank you so much Lynne – you and your family too! Merry Christmas! ????