Saturday, November 6

Christmas decorating preview: mantels

I love to decorate for Thanksgiving, and I don't start putting up Christmas decorations until the weekend after Thanksgiving. But I do like to spend some time in November planning my Christmas decorations and getting ready to deck the halls. So I was glad to see that, to get our holiday decorating juices flowing, Beth from The Stories of A to Z is hosting an impromptu Christmas mantel party.

Here's my 2009 Christmas mantel:


My Christmas mantelscapes are usually pretty simple. This painting is always on my mantel, and I didn't want to take it down, so I just work around it. Every year I hang all five our stockings in order: Dad, Mom, Oldest Son, Middle Son, Youngest Son. Last year I just added red candles, clippings from our Christmas tree and some cedar from the yard for greenery, some little red ornaments, and my DIY moss topiaries.

I like symmetry, don't I?

Here's the mantel the way it looks through most of the Christmas season:



Snickers (the beagle) and Cocoa (the pound puppy) love this spot in front of the fire. As you can see, the "No Dogs on the Furniture" rule didn't go over too well at my house.

Check out Beth's blog for more Christmas mantel inspiration!

13 comments:

  1. Your 2009 mantel was very elegant. I love the fresh greenery and the candles and also the topiary on each end. I have two pictures on my mantel that I really hate to take off but they don't look anything Christmasy at all! Yours looks fitting!

    I can't wait to start decorating, but like you, I start right after Thanksgiving. There is just too much going on all at once!

    Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks for sharing your pretty mantel!

    XO,
    Jane

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  2. Very beautiful -- sometimes, simple is best!

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  3. Love your mantel, of course! And, those snuggly puppies!

    Happy Saturday, my friend!

    xo

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  4. Very pretty! I like symmetry and using fresh greens. It kind of stresses me out to think that we are so close to Christmas!

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  5. This is so pretty, and festive, it really gets me in the mood. Do you light the candles?

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  6. I'll have to check out that blog and see all the mantels, yours looks so pretty Richella. I have a huge picture above mine now and I'm thinking of removing it this year so I can decorate more. I might try to add a pic to my blog and join in but I was just checking them and most of them turned out blurry from last year!
    Have a lovely Sunday. xxx

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  7. Looks like it's out of Better Homes and Gardens!! Beautiful my dear!

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  8. I love simple also. Simple is pretty much how I roll with all my decorating. I love your mantle from last year and I love your furry kids enjoying the best seat in the house :)

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  9. Very pretty..I love your topiary!

    sandy toe

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  10. Such a stunning mantel! The stockings are beautiful, too!

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  11. Beautiful! I love it! I like to keep my mantel simple too, yours reminds me of mine :-)

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  12. Your mantel was so gorgeous last year! I so wish I was blogging then and could have taken pics of mine too but I will just drool over all of yours this time! :-)
    I love how crisp and bright it looks with perfect pops of color too!
    Vanessa

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  13. I think I am a girl of symmetry as well. I'm trying to get my brain to think a little more asymmetrical, but it's hard! Just beautiful, friend!

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