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Please share your mantels decorated for the Christmas holiday. Here is mine.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Georgia Peach,

Ah, mine is in the car waiting to be put in place -- to us, there is nothing like fresh greens!

Martha

quote:

Originally posted by Linderhof:
Ah, mine is in the car waiting to be put in place -- to us, there is nothing like fresh greens!

Martha

Martha, I had to smile at your response. When we say greens down here in the South we are speaking of collards and turnips

My swags were bought through our local Boy Scout Troop and I hope I can keep them fresh until Christmas. Do you spritz your greens with water?

Great job, Georgia.

In the days when I used fresh greens to decorate with, not to consume with Hoppin' John on New Year's Day, I found spritzing them carefully with water does help to keep them fresh, especially if your home is heated by hot air.

Also, I know there are these little water tubes florists use to keep cut flowers and other arrangements hydrated. Perhaps you can use these on the ends of the garlands to help them last through Christmas.

Thank you Aychi.

It looks great GP! I like the hurricane lamps and the lights on the wreath. Hope you all get a lot of enjoyment from this and everything else this Christmas season!

It's a little hard to see your picture on my monitor, but I love all of the greens set off by white lights.

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating.../pictures/index.html



Tho I can not post pics of my mantel, there is plenty of inspiration on the Net.

Gracie, sorry it is dark. I tried to brighten the picture some. It was taken in the evening.

LOS, my kerosene lamps once belonged to my grandmothers. On your Thanksgiving thread Aychi suggested I decorate my mantel so as to tell a story. I began looking in the house and the storage shed and found items I had on hand. The swags are the only "new" items. Everything else I've had for years. More time spent than money. A good thing!

MyLife, your wooden shelves reminds me that I have 2 similar I have not rehung since the room was painted 2 years ago. Your displays are very pretty on yours. I need to find mine and use them for my small Christmas items. BTW, is there a particular name or style for your table in the first picture?

Froo, I appreciate the inspiration links. I always look forward to them. I've never added greenery to the top of my mantel. It does make a visual difference

quote:

Originally posted by Georgia Peach:

LOS, my kerosene lamps once belonged to my grandmothers. Everything else I've had for years. More time spent than money. A good thing!

Your grandmother's lovely hurricane lamps made all the difference in the world. They make for a nice story when someone asks about them.

Isn't it great to shop your house?

GP, I neglected to mention how warm and festive your mantel is. When I do decorate the mantel for Christmas lights of various kinds and some greenery is always included.

I love all the greenery and that brick fireplace is to die for! You don't see brick very often these days but there is nothing more beautiful.

not many posting here-here's mine-lets see more mantels..

Thanks for posting yours homebody. Very festive and I love your Santa collection. Anyone else?

Oh such a pretty mantel GeorgiaPeach.Love the rustic touches and oil lanterns.Wish I had some,well I do but not those original ones.You should take another pic with the lights off and lanterns lite and further back.Love it!!!

I have been meaning to take pics,so this late evening I did.The lighting and wall colors are off.UGH!!!

Here is a better picture.The color is correct on walls and a better view if mantel.

I use fresh greens in and around the things that are always on the mantle.

Martha

The living room

the dining room

Martha

Very pretty Jackie. I love the angel. I haven't lit those lanterns in years but I'll try and post a picture for you.

Linderhof, the fresh greenery must smell wonderful this time of year.

Thank you both for sharing. Merry Christmas.

GP -- It does and I mist it often to keep it soft and pliable and good smelling. Of course, there is no lights in the greenery so our house doesn't "twinkle" like some . . . but I like the real stuff!

Martha

Do you find your greenery in your yard? I really like the idea of fresh but I only have South Georgia Pineneedles to use here. I do love the smell of our Fraser Fir tree that we purchase from Lowes each year. Someone on another thread mentioned she picks up the leftover cuttings for free. May have to check on that next year.

No, I buy the greenery at Costco's or Sam's and I did find that Trader Joe's had it as well (and much less) -- Lowe's and Home Depot have it as well -- I buy one bundle and it does all 3 mantles (we have one in our bedroom) and yes, both Lowe's and Home Depot will let you root through their trimmings box and take what you want for free -- it's whole branches, however, but it's nice for outside.

I did use artificial with the lights but many years ago -- five or six we switched to real -- there is just something about it that faux no matter how costly, just can't replicate IMO.

Same with the tree. We got a real tree last year after using faux for a long long time -- and this year I just COULD NOT put up that tree again. I had to have a real one.

Went on a Homes Tour last weekend and the only tree that I felt was nice was the only real one so that tipped the scales for me to go ahead and get another real one.

My only trouble is that DH went with me and he's the "bigger the better" guy so we have a HUGE tree this year -- I prefer a 7 footer which I can handle by myself.

It's on the porch and we'll decorate today. We have tons of ornaments but we're only going to put up part of them --

I do have a feather tree also that I haven't put up yet -- I may with all of the antique ornaments -- we'll see.

I called it my "old lady tree" for when I'm 80 or so and a floor tree is too much, I'll have my little feather table tree! It was a good buy.

And basically, unless we were on the Christmas Homes tour we never put up more than one tree -- perhaps because from childhood we only had one!

Martha

This is the Christmas mantel for 2012. The green glass plates and red glass candleholders are from our town swap shop. The green dressed angel was made by a dear friend and was a gift from her.

The trees and tree toppers I owned. The only new item was the little cardinal on the branch. . . DH bought him yesterday for under $2 at A.C. Moores

this view may show the two small trees. Forgot these are also new. 49¢ a piece.

Your mantel display is very pretty LOS. I enjoy seeing the different displays everyone is posting. I would never have thought of hanging that many plates over the mantel.

quote:

I would never have thought of hanging that many plates over the mantel.

why not?

quote:

Originally posted by lady of shallot:

quote:

I would never have thought of hanging that many plates over the mantel.

why not?

My lack of ingenuity and creativity I guess.

This is my mantel for 2012. I do different colors each year. This year it was mercury glass, silver and dark teal.

No mantels at my FL home - maybe next yr we may spend Xmas up north. So many beautiful mantels makes me miss mine. LOS- your green plate collection is nice. In my mind I picture your home as treasure hunt in a dept store. Have never seen the variety or collection you have amassed anywhere.

GP, very pretty

Homebody, I see you have a santa collection going. A friend of mine influenced me to start collecting them too. Didn't put them out this year though.

Jackie, Very pretty

Martha, very pretty too. I have a clock very similar to the one on your mantel. Second pic with another clock. I have to be careful or I'd be starting a clock collection too.

Emily, pretty mantel, the green plates sure add color.

CaraRose, very pretty. Wish you could get a closer up view. Hard to see all that's on it.

quote:

Originally posted by CaraRose:
This is my mantel for 2012. I do different colors each year. This year it was mercury glass, silver and dark teal.

CaraRose, your display is very pretty. I love your white mantel. Would you post a close up of the accessories on your manetel?

AlwaysNesting, I somehow missed your post and apologize not responding until now. I've been asking DH for years to paint the outdated red brick on my 80's fireplace but he says NO. I must say with the help and assistance from the board members, for the first time in years I actually do like it.

Mamaspoon, I suspect you miss your mantel but not the Michigan cold? I wouldn't mind living in a colder area at this time of the year just so I could experience a white Christmas.

Victoriangirl, thank you and Merry Christmas

LOS, how are the plates mounted to the wall? Do you attach a plate hanger and hang them on a nail? I have several glass plates that I want to hang but I can't seem to find anything that will hold them securely AND where they will lay flat against the wall.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Georgia Peach,

quote:

Do you attach a plate hanger and hang them on a nail? I

yes, that is exactly what I did. I noticed that if the little hanger thing on the plate hanger is bent out at the bottom as well as the top of the hanger it will cause the plate to hang askew. One should be out the other flat.

another way to hang a light weight plate is to glue gun the tab from a soda can to the back of the plate, but truthfully I don't worry overmuch if a plate is slightly askew.

I have mantel envy. Don't have one to decorate. Thanks for sharing. Love seeing photos of everyone else's.

Victorian Girl and Georgia Peach, thanks for looking and complimenting. I appreciate it. Will post a couple of closer ups for you both. If you want closer let me know and I can get some tomorrow. Dark and rainy here today. Doesn't make for good pics.

Right side of mantel

Mmiddle of mantel

Left side of mantel. Excuse the mason jar that wasn't filled up with epsom salts and tea light before the pic was taken. LOL

CaraRose, so very pretty. I love the blue and white together. Will you explain what you do with the mason jars? You put epsom salts in them with a tea candle on top?

GP,I love the look of the color of old mason jars. I have quite a collection.

Yes, I put epsom salts in the, it looks like fresh snow. Then I put a tea light on top. It glows so pretty in the dark.

Thanks for your kind words.

Thank you Strings. It's fun to see all the different displays. All are so original. I am saving the pics so I will have some ideas for future years.

Cara Rose, I may have to borrow your mason jars idea for my table arrangements on Christmas day. I'm hosting my family and have been trying to think of an easy arrangement for my tables.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Georgia Peach,

Thought I had replied to a mantel post, I guess there are two! I posted on the other one...
Everyone's mantels are so pretty. It sure puts the house in the Holiday mood!

quote:

Originally posted by CaraRose:
This is my mantel for 2012. I do different colors each year. This year it was mercury glass, silver and dark teal.

Wow is it pretty!

Love seeing all these mantels and hope more people post.

This pic shows the center of my 'mantel' which is really a 10' long shelf behind the wood stove in my LR. It's really difficult to get a pic of the entire thing and the other pics I took are too large to post. Got a new computer and having trouble learning how to reduce the MP's so they'll post without making them too small to see.

I've gone very simple this year and not bought much new. Made some of the candles with beeswax sheets (more cheap YS finds) but everything else in this pic is old, some very old. The sterling candlesticks/holders are either family heirlooms or yard sale finds. The 7 silver plates/trays on the wall are mostly very inexpensive yard sale finds.

Lucky,
I love the trays on the wall! I have a collection of SP trays I use for chargers for special dinners. Found mine at a thrift store in Va. I sure miss that place!

Here are 3 in this table-setting I was playing with one Christmas in my Virginia house dining room. (I had the real candles and small tea lights to see what kind of light they added to the photo).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

quote:

Originally posted by joyluck:
Love seeing all these mantels and hope more people post.

This pic shows the center of my 'mantel' which is really a 10' long shelf behind the wood stove in my LR. It's really difficult to get a pic of the entire thing and the other pics I took are too large to post. Got a new computer and having trouble learning how to reduce the MP's so they'll post without making them too small to see.

I've gone very simple this year and not bought much new. Made some of the candles with beeswax sheets (more cheap YS finds) but everything else in this pic is old, some very old. The sterling candlesticks/holders are either family heirlooms or yard sale finds. The 7 silver plates/trays on the wall are mostly very inexpensive yard sale finds.

Lucky, your display is very elegant looking. I am loving the plates and trays on the walls like yours and Lady of Shallot's. So you made these candles? I've never tried to make my own but I have been pricing them this year and they are SO expensive. From your picture if looks as though the 2 tallest candlesticks have a handle on them. If so, you don't see those everyday.

quote:

Originally posted by Mary Ruth:
Lucky,
I love the trays on the wall! I have a collection of SP trays I use for chargers for special dinners. Found mine at a thrift store in Va. I sure miss that place!

Here are 3 in this table-setting I was playing with one Christmas in my Virginia house dining room. (I had the real candles and small tea lights to see what kind of light they added to the photo).

Mary Ruth, this is a beautiful picture and your table setting is gorgeous. Everything just shines. We may need to start a thread showing our Christmas table arrangements.

Mary Ruth, lovely table setting! I've used the large round silver plates as chargers also. A lot of the silver plates and trays I have are from yard sales. I've paid between 50 cents and never more than $5. even for large trays. Most of those on the wall were probably $1 or $2.

Georgia Peach, thank you. I had bought a large box of beeswax sheets at a yard sale years ago so I made about 6 candles to use up all the green ones - they cost me about 10 cents each. I still didn't have enough candles so had to buy another 6. I have 20 green tapers in my silver, brass, and crystal candlesticks in my LR. A bit over the top perhaps! ;D I'll move some of them to the DR table for dinners. I've tied velvet ribbon on the 2 tallest candlesticks altho I can now see it does look as if they have handles. I didn't do bows, just tied them on so the ends hang down.

The beeswax sheets and wicking is not very expensive and they are not difficult to do. I use my hair dryer to heat the sheets to make them easier to roll. Just takes a bit of time.