Decorating a Mantle for Christmas

As a tradition, the day after Thanksgiving we decorate for Christmas.  I love everything about Christmas and to get into the spirit of the season, I enjoy decorating the day after Thanksgiving.  My mantle in my great room is one of my favorite places to decorate.

I start with green garland which I wrapped with white lights.  Next I draped the garland from one end of the mantle to the other.   The garland I chose is artificial, however, it is as real a fake as I have ever seen.  With our cat,  real pines isn't a good option.  We have our boy and girl snowman standing guard on either side of the fireplace, waiting for Santa to arrive.

I decorate using gold, cranberry and green.  I like to have my Christmas decorations coordinate with the colors of my great room.  I have sugared pears, apples and other fruit (also artificial) tucked into the garland.  The word PEACE holds each of our stockings (one for myself, my husband, our two kids and Sara, our cat).  A ball of sugar plums hangs on the "A" in the center of the mantle.

Close up of sugar plums

Two sugared topiaries stand at either end of the mantle.  Using wired gold ribbon, I made several bows and mixed them throughout the garland.  The stockings and the PEACE holders are from Pottery Barn and were purchased several years ago.  I love it at night all lit up.

A close up view of the topiary and the bows.

This bow is very easy to make.  All it takes is wired ribbon and some floral wire.

Close up of topiary

Close up of sugared fruit

There are also flowers mixed throughout the garland

Let me know what you think.  I look forward to your comments.

-Judy