I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

I think mine has looked nice in the past, but bare.

Here's what it looked like last year. This year it will have 4 stockings (I bought an extra holder last year) . I would love to get all of the same stockings from Pottery Barn, but my mother made all of the stockings. Even though they aren't ay particular style, they have sentimental value to me and she would be crushed if I didn't use them.



What can I do to make it look better. I have more of the same garland. I also can re-purpose what I use on the mantle and get something else.

Any suggestions? Oh - and the mirror has to stay - it was a PITA to put up and it's not moving! LOL

Thanks!

Message edited 10/13/2010 2:37:34 PM.

Re: I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

It's never too early to talk about Christmas !
I like what you did. I would only suggest maybe getting gold candle holders to make it not so even. Know what I mean.

Like maybe mix and match using different heights like this


candle sticks

Or maybe these


candle sticks 2

I pick gold because of the mirror. And the garland. Since you will have four stockings this year it will be set up a little different and I think the gold candle sticks will work great !

Re: I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

I would experiment with the garland a bit. Instead of having it drape down, you might want to lay it on top of the mantle and then intersperce with your candles and the holders. It would expose more of the front of the fireplace, but it would seem fuller up top, and things would seem to pop out of it a bit.

We didn't spend Christmas in our house last year, so unfortunately don't have any photos to share, but I plan on doing a whitepine garland (real) with white lights, our stockings, some candles and possibly some artificial birds (like the kind you might put in a wreath).

Re: I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

Wrap the mirror. I remember my mom used to gift wrap all the wall decor during holiday time.

Re: I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

Re: I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

Re: I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

Message edited 10/13/2010 4:09:37 PM.

Re: I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

Wreath over mirror and more greenery on mantle??

Re: I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

I never had a mantle but I do now so I would love to see everyone's photos

Re: I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

i would put some christmas topiaries on the bottom ledge of the fireplace like these:

Re: I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

I would add more garland, some poinsettas or other festive plant at the base of the fireplace.

I like the idea of trimming the mirror with the garland too.

Re: I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

I don't have a mantle now but we did at my Mom's. We had a large mirror as well and hung either a Christmas wreath on the mirror, suspended by ribbon, or made a large bow from wired ribbon and put it on the top of the mirror, centered, with the tails coming down.

On the mantle, I would do as pp suggested, wrap it in beween your mantle pieces, perhaps with lights or ribbon intertwined, with ornaments.

Re: I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

Re: I know it's early, but can we talk Christmas Mantle Decor?

Thanks Guys - love these ideas. I should just get a job at Michael's

I do actually really like how I did the mantle for fall. I need to take a few pics!