My Holiday Mantel...

Decorating momentum has set in. Moving on from the holiday dining table shown here, I was  able to put together a festive holiday mantel.

This year I decided to do something completely different than how I normally decorate. I have been collecting Santas for 20+ years...and always display them across our large white mantel in the living room. Here is a picture from last year...

Please forgive the photo quality...this was taken pre-blogging days. I love the Santas and how they fill the space. I just wanted to do something different...so I did!

Natural greens - clipped from my own backyard redwood trees - pinecones, red and white candles and vintage red and white christmas bulbs found at a local thrift store. I also added some natural greens and pinecones to the faux pine wreath, along with a partridge and initial ornament.

I like the simplicity and the fact that its so different than I normally deck my holiday mantel. Sometimes its fun to switch things up...place your decorations in different places, use them in different ways, and maybe not put everything out every year.

Moving into the family room...since I dont have a mantel there, I like to decorate the console table that sits in front of the windows.

The table is painted black so I decided to go with a black, white, and red theme here. Hanging a natural wreath and garland around the windows. I simply added white lights, red and white ornaments, and some snowflakes to each...oh and a couple of cute little red cardinals.

Finally, my favorite decoration in this room, and probably the whole house is the mini tree I fill with handmade decorations from my boys. Along with yearly picture ornaments, I hang the ornaments that remind me of their interests each year...think Pokemon, Scooby Doo, and Spongebob Squarepants! They have long outgrown these stages, but I still remember each one fondly...and love to think about all those fun years whenever I see this tree.

This is what the holidays are all about!

How will you be decorating your holiday mantel?

Linking up to the following parties...a la mode, Ten June, come check em' out!

all images via LKD - Laura Kristine Decor