A Traditional Christmas Mantel ...

Fireplaces and mantels are usually the main focal point of a room and are always fun to decorate. Like most of us, I change my mantel decor according to the seasons and I'd like to share my Christmas mantel with you. But first, I'd like to show you my summer and fall mantels. [You can click on the pictures to enlarge them]

When I found this picture of my summer mantel, I was kind of surprised by how simple and plain it was. I'm not sure that I like it and will definitely add more to it next summer. Perhaps some birds and different planters for the ivy (which is much larger now) ...

My fall mantel was more elaborate, featuring my collection of stained gourds and a garland of fall berries ...

And here is the way it looks now, decorated for Christmas ...

I've had the gold doves for many years and they're showing their age, but I don't know of anything I'd rather use for the centerpiece ...

The holly is very old, too, and every year I think about replacing it, but can never find anything I like better. I did add the two birds on stands this year, and I bought the candlesticks at a flea market back during the summer ...

For Christmas, I fill the copper coal hod with three rustic metal bells and some faded greenery ...

The little rocking chair on the left was our son's when he was a baby (he's 34 now!) ... and still has the hammer marks he made with his little Fisher-Price hammer. I wouldn't take anything for it!

The Christmas books in the rocker belonged to our son and daughter when they were little, and now we read them to our little granddaughter Avery Grace.

My next post will feature our Nativity Set, and I hope you will come back to visit.

Sincerely,