My Christmas Mantle

Since I have been teaching third grade as a long-term sub for the past 16 weeks, I haven’t been able to spend as much time on my home as I would like.

The same is true for Christmas.  I just haven’t had the time to get all the Christmas boxes out and put all of the decorations up around the house.

But two things I had to do were… the Christmas tree and the mantle with the boys’ Christmas stockings.

This is what my mantle looked like two years ago at Christmas…

Last year it looked like this…

I loved seeing the boys’ silhouettes above their stockings.  For a tutorial of how to make the silhouette tiles, click HERE.

This year, I decided to add some greenery to my mantle.

I bought some fresh greenery from Krogers, but it wasn’t enough to fill up my whole mantle.

So to make it look fuller, I first added a strand of faux greenery with lights on top my mantle.

Then I added the real greenery I had gotten at Krogers and faux poinsettias from Big Lots.   (BTW, my friend Heather told me you can get free clippings at Lowe’s where they sell the real Christmas trees.  I’m going to do that next time!)

The poinsettias are a deep, velvety red with a little sparkle…lu-huv!

It was already looking beautiful!

Then I added some silvery snowflakes that used to be my mom’s for a little more shimmer and shine.  I also added my mercury glass bird that I got at HomeGoods this past summer.

silver snowflake

I then added a few mercury glass votives that I made from Goodwill juice glasses.  I will share the tutorial of how to make them next week!

All that was left to do was to hang the boys’ stockings that I got on sale at Kohl’s last year. They were only 5 bucks a piece, and they are the perfect Christmas red!

My little mercury glass bird looks a little lonely up there, so I am planning on adding some chunky silver candlesticks to each side to balance it out.  Maybe I will get to it before Christmas!  :)

I love the jingle bells on the stockings!

I didn’t take a picture at nighttime, but since the fireplace is in our bedroom, we get to sleep to the soft glow of the Christmas lights.  Heavenly!

So that is about all the decorating I have had time to do this year!  :)

I did put some Christmas dishes in my  hutch.  I will try to share that  next week.

You know what I have learned this year, though?

My boys are as excited about Christmas this year as they were last year when my house was fully decorated!  Go figure.

Maybe it’s not about the decorations…

Have a blessed day!

15 Comments

  1. I just love your mantle! I love watching the progression of the changes. I think layering on of the greenery, poinsettias, glasses, snowflakes & bells is fabulous! The picture of your boys above the mantle tops it off perfectly. Thanks for sharing. I have a new decorating & restyling business at http://www.gracious-spaces.net and on Facebook. I am enjoying your posts on what you are doing to your home. Thanks!

  2. Your mantle is gorgeous! Thanks for taking the time to share the progression with pictures. :) I kept thinking each picture was the completed mantle, then you would add something more enticing. Your 3rd graders are a lucky bunch to have you teaching so long!

  3. Love the mantle!! So pretty and cheerful! I think I need to add more color to mine!!! I just hung our stockings last night and feel like we need new ones. lol!

  4. Wow Tracy – what a beautiful mantle. The picture is gorgeous! I was thrilled to open up my box of decorations this year and find my beautiful ornaments from a very dear friend. They found a special place on our tree – a reminder of a special friendship. Have a blessed Christmas.
    xoxo,
    Kim
    p.s. our baby boy comes next month!!

  5. I love it!!! I think its my favorite . You always do a great job with all your decorations. Have a great weekend.
    Blessings to you
    Lisa

  6. I just stumbled upon your blog (always happens with the best ones) – and I have to tell you, I LOVE everything you touch! You have a great eye……and I LOVE LOVE LOVE what you can do with a drop cloth. Thanks for sharing everything…..

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