Hi Everyone,
Yesterday I showed you the final reveal of my Mantel DIY project, so today I thought I would share a little about where I came up with everything to go on it.
I wanted to add some glam, and sparkle to my mantle this year so I went with a lot silvers, sparkly grays, whites and shimmery blues. Mixing old and new is also a favorite of mine.
It all began with the desire to have two containers that I could use all year round on my mantel. So that’s where my thrift store containers came into play. I think they are simply glamorous, yet streamline at the same time. All for the price of 3.99 each. The twigs that I found were obviously free! Love the free. The little silver ornaments hanging from the branches I found at the dollar store.
The white candle sticks I had from a few years ago, I think a Homesense find ( $1.00 each). I primed and painted them this year white, for now. What’s great about that idea is you can always change the color if you want. In a matter of minutes you can have a totally different look through the use of paint.
The most amazing find of all. This past summer I stumbled across these heavy plastic ornaments that look like glass. I got a whole bunch of them in a bag for 2.99!! How great is that?
A few weeks ago I was asked to lead a session at a local event about Christmas on a budget and I came up with these letters for a great, inexpensive way to add some cheer around your home for the holidays. They were so easy to make. All it took was some wooded letters (found at craft stores or a dollar store). I traced the letters on the glitter paper, cut them out and glued them on using a glue stick. They would also be great to tucked inside some fresh greenery on your mantle, or placed about anywhere around in your home. Some other suggestions for words are REJOICE, MERRY CHRISTMAS, NOEL, BELIEVE, PEACE. Use your imagination.
The only detail left is the ornament wreath that I made at the beginning of the month. I think it’s the one item that pulls it all together. Everything was all on budget and I think it looks stunning!
What’s on your mantel this year? I challenge you to see how beautiful you can make it without thinking you have to spend $100 to do it. Each has their own personal style and that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Make your mantel beautiful for you, that’s what I did!
Happy Manteling? If that is even a word.
I guess I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to the mantel. Stockings. After being married, my husband and I acquired matching wrought iron star stocking hangers. Through the years, we have purchased a new hanger for each child. A bird, reindeer and pine cone, together with our stars, (all in similar tone and material) grace our mantel. I have hung a large jingle bell on each of the children’s hangers with the “parents” stockings on either side. I also have a framed button wreath that I made a few years ago. I simply took buttons that I already had, cut a 12×12 piece of paper like a matte to frame the buttons (stuck on a different paper underneath with glue dots) . I sewed different colored thread around the opening and placed a 3D embellishment near the bottom. I put it in a square frame that I had kicking around. The last thing on the mantel are 2 shiny green hand-blown glass Christmas trees. This adds a little sparkle and interest. I love the look of greens too but I have found that the heat from the pilot light dries them out quickly making a huge mess.
HI Dawn,
I love a traditional mantel. Mixing the same tone and material for your stocking hangers is a great way to add to the children’s collection when sometimes parents don’t know how many children they will have. Good job.
I also think it’s great how you have used your creative skills to make a work of art for your mantel, that only you have. Doesn’t that feel good?
I love greens too, but yes they can be very messy at times!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Well, my mantle looks quite different from past years. Usually I put greenery EVERYWHERE! This year I decided to go for simple. Besides, we have our tv on top of our mantle so usually the greenery blocked the sensor, my husband usually would get pretty annoyed! So this year it is simple twigs in a clear vase with mini white & silver balls, and a beautiful 12″ angel, in the style of Willow Tree ornaments. We actually have book casing in our mantle so front and center is where I’ve placed our nativity (a perfect place for it so the kids can actually interact and move the pieces around). And lastly we have two of our stockings hung… doesn’t really go with the rest, but tradition is tradition! 🙂
Love your mantle Jodi, inspires me to put a bit more glitz & glam in my house!
When in doubt go simple is my motto. Great work! I love all the ideas for your manel, as well the kids must love to move around the nativity scene figures. I’m hoping to find a nativity scene for our living room someday, but I’m still waiting to find the right one.
It was nice to hear from you. I always love to hear what my readers are doing.
Hi Jodi,
I finally made it over to check out your use of twigs – I love it! Your mantel for the holidays was soo pretty. I love the white candle holders and the wreath you made. Nice!
~ Catie
Oh, I’ve already taken the twigs out. That little table they were on looks totally different now. I’m ALWAYS moving things around. haha