Old World Stoneworks

Decorating a Mantel for Christmas

We all know how vital a fireplace is to Christmas. It’s where you hang your stockings with care, in hope that Saint Nicholas soon will be there. How else is Santa supposed to enter your house, besides sliding down the chimney and emerging from your fireplace? Make sure your mantel is a worthy frame for Santa’s entrance.

Here are four easy ideas for your mantel this Christmas.

An Old-Fashioned Christmas Mantel

popcorn garlands snow globes rustic christmas mantel decorations holidays

Back before Target, people had to make their own Christmas decorations. One popular and inexpensive way was to string popcorn and cranberries or other dried fruit onto thread to make popcorn garlands. This is an especially fun activity if you have young children. Another DIY we love are these adorable Anthropoligie inspired snow globes.  Mix your homemade crafts with some rustic burlap stockings or garland and string lights, and you have a beautiful country chic mantel that’s personalized with your family’s creations.

All That Glitters Christmas Mantel

sparkly trees sign glitter pinecones white and metallic mantel fireplace christmas decoration

For people who prefer everything sparkly, Christmas is a time to go wild. You can buy glittery candles and ornaments, or make them yourself. Depending on where you live, gather pinecones or buy them at a craft store. Use glitter glue pens to glamorize the tips of your pinecones, or cover them with gold spray paint. Tuck shiny garlands around your pinecones and candles. As for stockings, an ornate set sewn with metallic thread will look perfect with your glitter mantel.

Multi-Cultural Christmas Mantel

Maybe your holiday plans include people of various faiths and creeds. How about a multicultural mantel that includes holiday-themed items from around the world? Add a dreidel or menorah for Jewish family members, an ear of corn or unity cup to represent Kwanzaa, and, of course, plenty of Christmas décor, such as nativity sets from other countries. This is a nice way to honor both your own tradition and to welcome family members and friends of different faiths who may visit your home during the holidays.

Quick & Simple Christmas Mantel

Did Christmas sneak up on you this year? No time to spray paint pinecones or string popcorn? No problem. You can have a simple, elegant Christmas mantel like the Old World Stoneworks Birmingham mantel featured below. You just need one beautiful pre-lit garland. Drape it around your everyday décor like the vases in the picture below, and you’re done! Even adding simple accents like stockings and seasonal Nutcracker statues like the OWS customer did with their Laurent stone mantel on the right is a great way to get in the spirit without overdoing it.

Birmingham and Laurent Cast Stone mantel

However you celebrate Christmas, we at Old World Stoneworks send our wishes for a bright and blessed holiday season!

Images Courtesy:

Dyeries / Whipperberry / Confessions of a Plate Addict

Whatever… / My Suite Bliss  / The Homes I Have Made / Godfather Style