New Year’s Mantel Décor

Now that Christmas is over it’s time to quickly decorate the mantel for the New Year. If you’re entertaining on NYE, gear the mantel toward the party goers – probably something fun and glitzy. Not hosting the party? Then decorate the mantel just for you and your family. Here are a few ideas from your friends at Old World Stoneworks.

Countdown Mantel

Did you know the first New Year’s Eve Ball descended the Times Square flagpole in 1907? It weighed 700 pounds, was five feet in diameter and was covered with 100 25-watt light bulbs.

For your own countdown mantel, you’ll need a smaller sphere to represent the NYE Ball. Buy a replica online or make your own glittery ball. Surround the ball with old-fashioned clocks – your local thrift store is a good place to look – and noisemakers. This mantel is fun for a party, or just for your family.

Champagne Mantel

In many people’s minds, NYE is synonymous with champagne. If you’re hosting a party for adults who like to imbibe, consider a champagne party mantel. Arrange champagne bottles, glittery candles and signs with words like “bubbly,” “cheers” and “bottoms up.” You can make your own signs or buy them at party stores. Be sure to have taxi numbers and the Uber app on hand, in case your guests get a little too inspired by your mantel.

Vision board mantel

The start of a new year is a symbolic time – out with the old, in with the new. But what will the new be? Making a vision board helps steer 2016 in your desired direction.

A typical vision board is made by cutting up magazines and gluing pictures of things you want on a piece of cardboard. For example, pictures of your dream kitchen (featuring a new OWS range hood of course), that tropical island you long to visit, or that dress you hope to buy and look good in. You can also vision less material and tangible things. If you hope to be less stressed in 2016, choose an image that makes you feel peaceful. Want to spend more time with friends and family members? Glue pictures of them to your vision board.

Since a mantel calls for 3D objects, you can put your vision board in the center and then surround it with things that represent your dreams. A little Eiffel Tower for that trip to Paris, shells for a beach overnight, a toy car for a vehicular upgrade.

A vision board mantel is also a great conversation starter. Guests will see it and immediately start thinking about their own dreams for the New Year. Plus, it’s a great project the whole family can enjoy together.

Lucky 2016 Mantel

In the South, many people eat hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day. This black eyed pea and rice dish is considered lucky, especially if eaten with greens. The peas represent coins and the greens are the color of dollars.

Who doesn’t want luck in the New Year? A luck-themed mantel is a fun way to set your mind on attracting the positive. Decorate with lucky items from your own ethnic tradition, or borrow from around the world. Here are just a few symbols of luck.

• Acorns: Vikings believed an acorn on the windowsill protected their homes from lightning.
• Rainbows: In the Old Testament, this was definitely a good sign to Noah’s family and menagerie that the rain had finally stopped. Irish leprechauns favor the rainbow’s end for gold storage.
• Eggs: Folk traditions around the world honor the egg as a sign of fertility and rebirth.
• Lucky insects: Native Americans have long considered crickets good luck. Ancient Egyptians favored scarabs. Almost everybody likes ladybugs and dragonflies.
• Red lanterns: The Chinese consider red lanterns a good luck symbol. Get a jump on your Chinese New Year mantel – the year of the monkey starts February 8.
• Horseshoes: Put one on the wall above your mantel and the U shape retains good luck.
• Coins: Sprinkle some across your mantel to attract money and good fortune throughout 2016.

At Old World Stoneworks, we hope you start 2016 with a beautiful mantel, and reap luck and blessings in the New Year.