My kids are soooo happy!
They have been asking and asking and asking WHEN am I going to start Christmas decorating?!
Well, the wait it over!
Yep.
I decorated my mantel for Christmas.
One space down, several more to go!
I have to say, I think this is my favorite Christmas mantel I’ve decorated in this house.
It’s a little bit rustic and a little bit traditional.
I adore green and red at Christmas. I think it will always be my style.
You’ll notice, the decor is pretty simple.
I think it’s my mantra this year — “Simple, simple!”
In year’s past, I’ve had a lot more garland and more “stuff.”
This year, I didn’t want to fuss or have the mantel compete with the tree that will eventually sit right next to the fireplace.
Did you notice I got a wild hair and exchanged my usual chippy arched window for a new chalkboard I made?
I made it the same way I made the one in my dining room. I used an open-back frame, some hard board cut to measure from Lowe’s and some chalkboard paint. So easy!
(By the way, I did the chalkboard writing free-hand, but if you just want to buy one already made I fashioned mine after one found in Dear Lillie’s online shop. If you browse the site you’ll notice that they offer different sizes including a 24 x 36 size which is just a tad smaller than mine which measures 30″ x 40″)
The nutcrackers are a new find from Target. I couldn’t resist them.
I love their traditional, yet rustic appeal.
The kids helped me pick them out.
I think we may have started a new tradition — collecting nut crackers each year.
I think it would be cute to line them all up on the mantel, each having it’s own story of how and where we bought him.
I love traditions like that.
Maybe that’s why I love red and green so much.
It’s tradition.
Full disclosure — I will probably tweak this space once the tree is up and/or all the Christmas boxes are hauled out of the attic, but right now I love it. Bring on the holiday season!
Looking for more Christmas inspiration?
Be sure to visit all the other blogs on the Christmas Mantel Tour this week.
Thank you to Sonya and Melissa for inviting me to take part in this tour!
Today’s Line-up:
Cherished Bliss
Domestically Speaking
Lilacs and Longhorns — you’re here!
Two Thirty Five Designs
The Happier Homemaker
My Soulful Home
To see yesterday’s posts:
Monday, Nov. 10
At Home With the Barkers
On Sutton Place
All Things Heart and Home
Stone Gable
The Woodgrain Cottage
Coming up tomorrow:
Wednesday:
Top this Top That
Refresh Restyle
Town and Country Living
Setting for Four
At the Picket Fence
Wishing you a day filled with joy!
Sharing at:
Savvy Southern Style
I love everything about it Julie! I think my family was just as happy that I decorated a little as well. Thanks so much for joining us on the tour. ~Sonya
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It looks wonderful and I bet the kids are ecstatic! I do love Christmas — the cheer and the lights. It is perfect for the dark dreary days.
Yes, bring it on with your happy merry mantel!!
Your mantel looks great! LOVE that chalkboard art! Thanks so much for being a part of the tour! Life to the full! Melissa
Beautiful! I love it all and I need those pillows Thanks for the chalkboard tips!
Debbie
Everything looks lovely, Julie! The chalkboard looks great on your mantel and I love the red and green decorations, thanks for the tip on the chalkboard!
It’s beautiful! You did a great job on the chalkboard. Love the chairs parked right by the fireplace.
Oh I just love this so much Julie!! It looks so festive and cheery! I cracked up because my kids were begging me to start decorating too although I don’t need too much encouragement to get going on it. LOL! So fun being apart of this tour with you!
I love it Julie!!
What an adorable, adorable mantel…I love it that the chalkboard is center stage and you did a fabulous job on the chalkboard art!…the mantel and surround are just beautiful and full of country charm…I so love this Julie…great job!!!
Absolutely DELIGHTFUL Julie! I love the chalkboard and those happy pillows I found myself smiling the whole way through your post! xo
Beautiful Julie! Simply lovely! Very impressed with the chalk board writing!
x
OMG! I just happened to stumble on your blog! What a small world! Your house is amazing!
Hey Kelly! Thank you! So glad you stumbled on to my blog.
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I always love a giant chalkboard… super cute on your Christmas mantel! Thrilled to be on this fun tour with you. Pinned!
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Love the nutcrackers – run to Target – quick! Pretty chalkboard too! Enjoy your blog!
So cute! Love the chalkboard art and the big buffalo check pillows are a great touch!!
Your mantle is so beautiful Julie! I think I will always love red and green at Christmastime too! And you free handed that chalkboard! Amazing!! I’m going to check out your tutorial!!
Just LOVE this beautiful chalkboard so festive!
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It looks lovely!!Just a little FYI we have always offered this as a 24″ by 36″ download which is pretty similar in size
Thanks so much for your sweet comment! I will update the post to reflect that you offer the 24 x 36″ size because I would love to send readers your way! Everything you do is so beautiful and inspiring! Merry Christmas to you!
Julie
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