5 Simple Steps To Creating A Cozy Christmas Mantel
As the holiday season approaches, the fireplace mantel becomes a focal point in our homes, inviting warmth and joy into our spaces. However, in the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, it’s easy to overwhelm this cherished area with too many decorations. Embracing a minimalist approach can be both refreshing and impactful. By choosing a select few items, you not only simplify your decorating process but also allow each piece to shine, creating a serene and cozy atmosphere.
Keeping it simple doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty; rather, it encourages a thoughtful curation of decorations that evoke the spirit of the season. A few carefully chosen elements, such as warm twinkling lights, or one main item, can transform your mantle into a tranquil retreat. This minimalist approach fosters a sense of calm amidst the chaos of the holiday rush, allowing you to enjoy the true essence of Christmas: togetherness and warmth. By prioritizing quality over quantity in your Christmas mantle decor, you create a welcoming environment that invites family and friends to gather and celebrate, making your home a cozy haven during this magical time of year.
On this blog post, I will go over five simple steps on how I decorated my mantel for Christmas this year without over doing it and stressing myself out. I will also show you how I chose extreme simplicity when decorating my Christmas tree to compliment the mantel.
1. Remove Everything From The Mantel
I love starting with a fresh, clean slate when decorating my mantel for each season. I remove everything from it, clean it and start with a blank space. I also try to have a general idea or color scheme I want to decorate with for the season. For this year, I decided to go with a red and white. I contemplated going with a candy cane theme, but then changed my mind, and went with a simpler red and white look.
2. Pick A Focal Object Or Decor Piece
I love having a focal , or main, decor on the mantel. That could be a wreath, sign, or anything else that will be the main, focal point. In addition to a red and white theme, I also wanted to focus on the nativity scene. The birth of Jesus is the main reason for the season and it’s the main reason why my family and I celebrate Christmas. Which is why I wanted the nativity scene to be the focal point. Since I am the “crafty” and “DIY” kind of girl, I contemplated creating my own with foam board or cardboard, but quickly realized it would have been way to much work. So I decided to do some research online to see what I could find.
3. Don’t Be Afraid To Go Big
I know the word “BIG” seems a bit contradicting to a “simple” approach, but it’s really not. Let me explain. I see simplicity as easy and uncomplicated, not necessarily small, although it could be. Through years of DIYing my own decor and decorating for every season, I have become comfortable with the concept of the bigger the better, as long as it makes sense. Using small decor items will often make a space seem “off” some how. Like something is missing. Then the temptation to over-decorate hits and we often could over do it with too many small things to simply “fill” in the space. On my online search to find something I could use as my main focal point of my mantel while keeping it in the red and white theme, I stumbled across an outdoor JOY sign with a nativity scene, with a red and white color scheme. It was perfect. I was so excited that I purchased it without taking in consideration measurements of the piece. And let me tell you, it was LARGE!
4. Don’t Forget To Add Warm Lights
I received the outdoor sign and I quickly removed it from the packaging and panicked! I was so big! I had already cleared everything out from the mantel and it was ready for me to add the JOY sign to it. I didn’t add the outdoor hardware, of course, as it was not needed. I wanted the piece to have some type of lighting behind it, so I added battery operated fairy lights to the back of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus with clear tape. To be able to hang the pieces in place, I cut up pieces of Alien Tape and attached them to the back of the red JOY letters and the nativity pieces. Not knowing if the letters will fit in the space above the fireplace, I decided to just go for it and began to place the O directly in the middle of the mantel. Oh my goodness! It FIT! It fit perfectly! It was only about half an inch shorter than the space and it was perfect. I added the J and then the Y in equal distance from the O, making sure to press firmly against the wall to make sure the Alien tape attached to the wall. I then added Mary and Joseph to the O, and then Jesus to the front of Mary and Joseph. To add a bit more warmth to the mantel, I added a lighted, flocked garland. And then added a few final, simple touches. I added two springs of faux, red berries to the garland and the stockings. That’s it! The soft lighting behind the nativity scene, along with the lights on the garland added so much warmth.
5. Decorate The Christmas Tree To Match The Mantel
To me, it is very important to match the decor of the Christmas tree to the mantel, if possible. I got a new 9′ King Noble Flocked tree this year from King of Christmas and wanted to keep the decorations extremely simple. I added read ball ornaments to it from large to small, working my way up to the top. This kept everything nice and light, but keeping the color scheme cohesive with the mantel.
In conclusion, decorating your Christmas mantel with a minimalist approach not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home but also cultivates a warm and inviting atmosphere. By selecting a few meaningful items, you can create a space that resonates with the true spirit of the holiday season. This intentionality in decoration allows each piece to tell a story, sparking conversations and cherished memories among family and friends.
As you embrace simplicity, you’ll find that it fosters a sense of peace and comfort, transforming your mantle into a cozy focal point during the festivities. The beauty of minimalism lies in its ability to highlight the essence of Christmas—connection, joy, and togetherness—without the distraction of clutter.
So, as you prepare to deck your halls, remember that less can truly be more. Take the time to thoughtfully curate your mantle decor, focusing on elements that evoke warmth and nostalgia. In doing so, you’ll create a serene environment that invites everyone to gather around, share stories, and enjoy the magic of the season. This Christmas, let your mantle reflect not just the decorations, but the love and memories that make the holiday truly special.
What do you think of my Christmas mantel decorations?
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Lianep
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