Christmas Mantle and Winner of ElemenOPillow Giveaway

First things first...the winner of the ElemenOPillow $40 store credit giveaway is...

#11 - Joy who said (I like the green one with the giraffe like print on it).  Joy, please e-mail me...you didn't leave an email for me to contact you.  If I do not hear from you in 72 hours I will have to pick another winner.

We put all of our Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving.  I look forward each year to transforming my home and adding as much Christmas spirit as I can.  

I start with green garland and wrap it with white lights.
I then add ribbon, bows and sugared fruit and flowers.

This is my latest addition to my Christmas Mantle.  I LOVE this ribbon.

I was so inspired by Kristen's banister that she linked up to my party yesterday.  When I read that she had bought the ribbon at Michael's (that looks so much like last year's PB ribbon), I literally ran out and bought three spools of it.  It was on sale for 50%, costing only $5 per spool for 10 yards.  Awesome deal.  Thanks Kristen.

The bows I made a few years back.  If you want to know how to make your own bows, click here to read my tutorial from last year.  You only need wired ribbon and floral wire...that's it.
I promise you, they are so simple to make.

The PEACE stocking holders, stockings and this sugared ornament are from PB a few years ago.

My pair of sugared topiaries adds the symmetry to my mantle that I always crave in my decorating.

Creating a mantle like this is all about adding layers.  My kids noticed immediately yesterday when they got home from school that I had added the Happy Holidays ribbon.  My son said, "Mom, you know... it really adds something".  My daughter chimed in, "yea...it really makes an impact."  I just smiled, but I'm still laughing about those statements this morning.  Out of the mouths of babes.

Five stockings...me, my husband, my daughter, my son and our cat, Sara.

How could we not have a stocking for Sara?

I'll be showing off my mantle below.

Let me know what you think of my mantle.

Have a great day.

-Judy