A JOYful Mantel -

I don’t know how Christmas decorating goes down at your house, but here at our home, Thanksgiving comes first. Which means I don’t even get things out of the attic until Thanksgiving dinner is over. So, it is always a mad dash the first week after to get the decorations out so we have plenty of time to enjoy them! I’ve come today to share with you our newly painted fireplace, and new mantel all decked out for Christmas.

As I was looking through my Christmas home tour from last year I was reminded that this is my first year to decorate our new mantel! And let me tell you I was excited!! I love that I can put just about anything I want up there and it will look awesome against that white back drop. Before so many things just blended in and got lost against that ugly brick.

But, enough about that! On to the good stuff.

Simple is my motto lately, and Christmas will be no exception. I draped some greenery on top of the mantel, added some lights, a few sparkly ornaments, pine cones, and my DIY jute and yarn balls for extra texture. It was all lovely and natural and I liked it a lot, but it needed just a little color, so I weaved in a red ribbon and added a plaid bow to the wreath (which also hides the cord).

The “JOY” is made with a wreath (obviously) and paper mache letters from Hobby Lobby (which are the only decorations I bought this year). I left them natural because I like the look, but you could easily paint them or decorate them anyway you would like to suit your taste.

The trees to the side were a garage sale steal this summer and I couldn’t love them more. Simple and rustic and the perfect place for my ‘names of Jesus’ garland. With or without the lights on I love the look!