Christmas Mantel 2013

It's today guys!!
I have no idea why I get so excited about sharing my mantel each season but I dooo!!!

Probably because I get so excited to start with a blank slate and come up with something entirely new each time. 

I don't get to do that to everything in my house (I'd be in trouble if I did!) 

so this is the next best thing!!

I shared a fun sneak peek of the mantel during my Holiday Home Tour but I'm excited about sharing the whole thing with you today!!

I went with touches of gold, warm woods and pops of red. 

And I'm in love with it!!

I always start with a 'centerpiece' that I've usually created in my head a couple months before the mantel goes up.

I'm weird, I know.

But it keeps me on top of things :)

In this case, we had an old discarded mirror in the garage that I wanted to transform into a distressed, acid-washed mirror. 

And I really can't take much credit for it because Hubby did all the hard work.

I gave him the supplies & the steps and he did it while I was at work. 

There may be a tutorial coming up on it...we shall see :)

I knew I wanted splashes of gold throughout the mantel so I painted the mirror gold & added a pretty gold 'merry' banner across it that I whipped up with some gold sequin paper & wood letters. 

I shared the tutorial for my pretty little cotton ball wreath yesterday. 

It was perfect mounted on my round wooden piece that I created.

You'll be seeing more on that someday...it's meant for something else :) 

 I added a few of my DIY felt & fabric trees that I used last year on the ends of the mantel for a little height.

I love my trees! 

My tall gold one was a new purchase this year from The Holiday House.

I just couldn't resist the gold sparkle. 

I also got my cute little 'wonderful time of the year' sign there too. 

If you've been around a while, you might remember my 'joy' letters I used on my mantel a couple years ago. I took them down and let them hang over a stained board. I'm still all about the 'joy' at Christmastime :) 

I also re-used my 'O Come Let Us Adore Him' framed printable I had last year.

You can find your own printable copy here. 

I'm in love with the gold mixed in with reds this year. 

So happy that I took that plunge. 

My 'merry & bright' sign was a DIY project last year. 

Sometimes I make too many things & forget to share. 

Sorry :/ 

We got a couple new stockings for our added family this year :) 

I like the mismatched look between the four of them. 

And a red & white rag garland was the perfect touch to finish everything off. 

I love pulling out my vintage Coca Cola bin every year at Christmas.

It was my grandfather's and now I get to smile every time I look at it. 

I also pull out my DIY advent calender every year and little man loves counting down to Christmas with it. 

And of course one of my favorite views is it glowing :) 

I weaved a strand of white lights through the garland and now I get to sit and bask in all the Christmas cheer it gives!!

It's even better with the fireplace going. 

Hope you guys enjoyed my Christmas mantel- it's definitely a joy to share it every year!!

You can check out Christmas mantels from years past here and here. 

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To see more of my house decked out for the holidays, check out my Holiday Home Tour!!

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