• Home
  • About Me
  • Projects
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact me

The Frugal Homemaker

Your guide to turning your house into a home... one DIY project and yard sale find at a time

A Christmas mantel (+ a new Christmas craft)

December 6, 2011

Can’t wait to share my Christmas mantel with you!! Smile  I thought it would be hard to improve on last years, but I think I am loving this years even more! 🙂  Here’s a sneak peek…

DSC_0101

But first lets go back and look at past years Christmas mantels.  I also want to show you how your decorating can improve and change as you find  inspiration online on blogs and Pinterest  and copy some of those ideas.

This was my mantel in 2009.  And I had done it something like this in the years past.  Not bad, and I loved displaying my snowman collection during Christmas and then leaving it up through January and February too.

100_2275

During that Christmas, Renee over at Living, Laughing, and Loving introduced me to Thrifty Décor Chick and the world of décor blogs.  My life and home has changed tremendously since then! Winking smile  I am a very visual person, so give me tons of ideas online in decorating (and FRUGAL ideas too!)  and I am in hog-heaven! Smile

So after reading décor blogs for a year, I had tons of ideas when it came time for Christmas.  I was loving the more natural look with pinecones and berries… so I completely changed my mantel up adding boughs of greenery (bought at Michaels’ on Black Friday on deep discount!) instead of garland.  I also made the “JOY” letters (just painted some wood letters I bought at Hobby Lobby in red, distressed the edges and glued the ribbon on the back).  Also added were a pinecone topiary tree I bought for $1.00 at a yard sale on top of an urn that I spray painted (also found at a yard sale – are you sensing a theme here?)  and my tall candlesticks that I also transformed with spray paint a few years ago too.

What a difference!   (Yes, I got a new camera for Christmas that year too, that didn’t hurt either.)

DSC_0307

So now this year. Smile  I am always trying to change things up a little using things I already have or creating something new.  I saw an idea in a store window on the way home from church the week of Thanksgiving and knew that was what I was going to try.   I was still loving the boughs of greenery vs. garland, but I wanted it to “drape” instead of sit right on the mantel.

collage of mantels

So this is what I came up with….

DSC_0104

I loved the white mirror that I spray painted and used on my fall mantel so I knew that would stay.    The two topiary trees are back from last year along with a white feather one that I got on after Christmas-clearance last year at Michael’s.  The candlesticks are back along with the “JOY” letters although they have moved below the mantel instead of on the mirror.  I added a white vase filled with faux poinsettias borrowed from my tree stash and a wreath that I made last year over the mirror.

DSC_0089

And my new addition this year was the red sign with the verse on it.  Smile  It was what I was working on last night when I mentioned on facebook that I was Christmas crafting :).

Here’s how I did that:

I bought a piece of craft wood from Michaels (4” x 36” for $2.99) and a bottle of red and white craft paint for $0.50.

DSC_0086

I painted one side red.  While that was drying, I used a friends Cricut that she let me borrow (thanks, Judy!) and cut out my words on cardstock to use for a stencil.  Then I painted inside the stencil with my white craft paint.

DSC_0087

I should have another picture here but let’s say some of my paint bled through and I was more worried about fixing that instead of taking a picture.  I did a little touch up with a small brush and some red paint and it was done!    DSC_0106

It is very light craft wood so I just stuck some command squares on the back and stuck it to the wall above the mirror.

The mantel is so pretty all lit up at night as we watch Christmas movies from the couch! 🙂

DSC_0094

And here’s a sneak peak of my tree – coming up later this week!

DSC_0161

How do you decorate your mantel?  Greenery, lights, stockings, candles . . . ?  If you have a picture posted on your blog feel free to post it in the comments and I will come check it out!

How about your decorating style?  Has it changed as you found inspiration and learned how to do new things?

Linking up to:

beforeAndAfterButton   Holiday

28 Comments LABELS ~ Uncategorized

SHARE >>
« 5 days of inspiration: Frills of the season
FREE Christmas printables to use as decor »

RELATED POSTS

  • How to make a DIY Christmas music wall hanging or mini Christmas music sheet ornaments!
  • Classic Cozy Christmas Front Porch
  • DIY Christmas Skis made from Picket Fence Pickets
  • Friday Frugal Finds–$2 bench, $12 nightstand, and more

Comments

  1. Heather R. says

    December 6, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    Loving everything about your Christmas mantel this year…beautiful!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      December 6, 2011 at 10:31 PM

      thanks, Heather! it is always fun seeing how I can change it up a little. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Renee @ Living, Laughing, & Loving says

    December 7, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    Looks beautiful!! Your lush lighted greenery adds SO much! Love it! Definitely true that decor blogs can tweak your decorating style… I would say the same was true for me. TDC inspired a whole new level of Christmas decorating than I had ever done.
    Wishing I had a real mantle to decorate, but I know I should be thankful for my fantle!!! 🙂
    Don’t forget Rhoda’s mantle party tomorrow too!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      December 12, 2011 at 11:53 PM

      I didn’t forget! Posted it – just late as I wasn’t at the computer all day.

      I love greenery! 🙂 and lights. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Christa @ BrownSugarToast says

    December 7, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    Loooooooove it! Beautiful! And I just think your header is fabulous – so festive!!!!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      December 12, 2011 at 11:53 PM

      Thanks, Christa!

      I had fun changing up my header 🙂 don’t know what I will do in January but I have some cute ideas for February for my header 😉

      Reply
  4. gina says

    December 8, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Beautiful and festive – love the red vase in the middle!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      December 12, 2011 at 11:52 PM

      Thanks, Gina! I love that vase too. It is an old Princess House Fantasia piece that my MIL gave me.

      Reply
  5. Laine chambers says

    December 8, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    Very beautiful! Is the one tree made of feathers? And did you make it? It’s adorable! And I second what Christa said, your header is gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      December 12, 2011 at 11:51 PM

      Yes, the white tree is made of feathers! They have little sparkly things on random ones too. I got in on clearance at Michael’s last year after Christmas (can’t remember how much $3-4?) I remember thinking to buy the cone or posterboard and feathers and the time to make it – the cost was worth it. 🙂 Would love to have a series of 3 white ones though. 🙂

      I use it for winter too. 🙂 So look for it on my winter mantel next month.

      Reply
  6. Erin says

    December 8, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    It’s so beautiful! I love it!! 🙂

    (stopping by from Home Stories A to Z)

    Reply
    • Christina says

      December 12, 2011 at 11:48 PM

      thanks for visiting, Erin! glad you enjoyed my mantel – we are enjoying it. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Lane says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Beautiful Mantel! I am looking forward to seeing your tree!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      December 12, 2011 at 11:48 PM

      Thanks!

      And tree is coming up on Wednesday! 😉

      Reply
  8. Christina says

    December 9, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    Love it……..great job. Where do you get your garland….or is it real? I love how fluffy it is…but I have no idea how to do it. Also…….how do you hide your christmas light plugs?/ or is it that you have an outlet up on your mantel?

    Reply
    • Christina says

      December 12, 2011 at 11:47 PM

      no it is not real. although I would love to find some real cuttings and add in it.

      I got it at Michael’s on Black Friday last year. It is actually individual “sprays” of greenery that I wired together this year.

      No plug on my mantel although I told hubby the other day that if we ever build a house we will have a plug on the mantel. The cord is just hidden down the side. 🙂 I am thinking of doing a “secrets of decor” post so look for that there. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Lisa~ says

    December 9, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    It’s lovely! I like seeing the changes from year to year. Merry Christmas! Lisa~

    Reply
    • Christina says

      December 12, 2011 at 11:45 PM

      I do too! Fun to go back and see how our style changes over the years. Wish I had pictures of our home from the day we moved in till now. Will definitely remember that if we move again.

      Reply
  10. Laura Ingalls Gunn says

    December 12, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    Wow! You are a Christmas crafting genius! So glad I found your project via Centsational Girl.

    Please stop by for a visit to my blog. I am currently in the midst of a Gifts to Make series.

    Be Merry and Bright!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      December 12, 2011 at 11:40 PM

      Thanks, Laura!

      Heading over to check out your series! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Katie says

    December 15, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Lovely! I found you from Tracey at Girls to Grow’s Saturday Salutes. Gorgeous mantle displays! I used your idea to string letters up over a mirror ~ so creative!

    Blessings and Merry Christmas!
    Katie

    Reply
    • Christina says

      January 5, 2012 at 8:05 PM

      awww – yay! so glad you found inspiration here!

      just went over and found your mantel on your blog. Love how you did the letters “Christ” over your mirror. Keeps the meaning in the season.

      Reply
  12. Carolyn says

    April 16, 2012 at 8:01 PM

    Love love love your mantels! They all look so lush and festive!

    Are your candelabra candles in the fireplace battery operated? They’re so pretty and bright. Most that I find that are battery operated are much dimmer. Gorgeous!!!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      May 9, 2012 at 8:27 PM

      No, they are actual real candles. 🙂 I don’t light them all the time. But I do enjoy them in the winter.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The twinkling tree in my house says:
    December 14, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    […] the colors next year on the tree, I will have to do it on the mantel too…)  You can see all the details on my mantel here and how I made the “JOY" letter and the “Unto us a child is born” sign […]

    Reply
  2. Celebrating 100 posts + a giveaway! | The Frugal Homemaker says:
    February 29, 2012 at 12:39 AM

    […] can find those posts here – Fall mantel, Christmas mantel, Valentine’s […]

    Reply
  3. Neutral + Vintage Christmas mantel - The Frugal Homemaker | The Frugal Homemaker says:
    December 6, 2012 at 9:45 AM

    […] was last year’s mantel – all burgundy and gold.  This year I am trying to leave out as much red/burgundy from my […]

    Reply
  4. 10 Holiday ideas to Decorate your Fireplace Mantel says:
    December 2, 2014 at 6:26 PM

    […] Via  thefrugalhomemaker.com […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow me:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Hi!  My name is Christina . . .

I love doing simple, frugal things to make our house feel like HOME! Come learn along with me how to have a beautiful home on a budget.

Recent Posts

  • Cozy & Comfy Warm Fall Fashion
  • Budget friendly fashion pieces to transition into Fall
  • Red, white, and blue sumer fashion for the whole crew!
  • Affordable summer girls fashion
  • Garage curb appeal spring refresh with Scott’s Miracle-Gro





THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS