A Classic Christmas Mantel

Classic Christmas Mantel

It’s happening- our house is officially getting little bits of Christmas sprinkled about. I am so happy to be sharing one of my favorite parts of our home with you today as part of the Christmas Mantels around America Blog Hop! If you know me- then you are well aware that I enjoy changing up our mantel each season. If you are new here- welcome! My name is Ashlea and I am a creative maker who has a passion for purposeful living, creativity and allowing room for the soul to breath. I love to share pieces of our family, home and my heart here at This Mamas Dance.

Christmas is such a joyful time, but it can also be filled with stress, pressure and difficult mile stones for those who have lost loved ones. Balancing expectations and emotions, both from others and of our own. It seems like a constant push and pull doesn’t it? I always have to make a conscious effort to draw my heart to what Christmas truly means for myself, and family. I most definitely love the sentimental parts about Christmas decorating… Sitting by the fire with my love after the kids are in bed, handmade ornaments, christmas lights, the nativity and placing ornaments on the tree with my kids. While we won’t get a tree until December, decorating our mantel carries with it similar feelings.

As I hung the kids stockings, I flipped a cuff and saw the name of my youngest son with the meaning written underneath it. I had completely forgotten about doing that when I made them a few years ago, and it reminded me of the gift that each of my little ones are to me. For many of us we want our families to focus on loving each other, reflecting on God’s love for us, and finding gratitude no matter what personal season we find ourselves in.

I am so thankful for our home and the ability to express myself in this space. Simple projects like creating this birch tree garland give me solace. Unwrapping fresh cedar lengths, placing succulents and pine cones, and working with my hands to create a wreath are just some of the ways I keep my focus off the air of “busy” that so often arises during this time of year. 

When it comes to decorating any room in my home, I try to keep to doing both what I like, and what works for our family. Last year everything was up out of reach from our daughter who was just 1.5, but this year she is pretty good about leaving things be. Nothing about our home is perfect- there are reno projects on the go, painting that needs to be done, and well worn furniture in every room. But that doesn’t keep me from prettying things up in this precious home just as it is.

Each season I like to try and mark the year with a new ornament for the tree. Wayfair has a lovely selection of ornaments from silly to sentimental. I am so looking forward to pulling our decorations out in the coming weeks, and watching the kids take a little walk down memory lane.

If I were to offer a few tips to you today I would suggest you…

Use Elements from Nature

For Christmas my favourite 3 things to decorate with are hand made wreaths, fresh greenery and pinecones. This season I am really enjoying the simplicity of succulents as well. Things like birch logs or even bark, berries and cedar all speak of Christmas- and can often be found out in nature.

Decorate with ColoUrs you love

A few years ago I realized that I never really gravitated towards using red and green together. So, around our home Christmas looks like neutrals, blues and hints of green- mostly through fresh clippings and simple ribbons. Some places have little bits of red and white- without too much fuss. If you love hot pink and purple, or red and green- go for it! Create a space that you love.

 Get Crafty

Anyone can be crafty! The simple birch garland was made with hemp twine, small pre-made birch cutouts, and a glue gun. Sew stockings, create a mini feathered tree or collect pine cones from nature and stick them in a ready made wreath. Getting a look you love on a tight budget becomes much more attainable when you are willing to make some things yourself.

Find Contentment

This might sound like a silly decorating tip, but it is one I firmly believe in. If I find myself caught up in the cycle of comparison (which I know can be easy to do with all of the beautiful homes and Christmas decor collections floating around) the joy of our home gets lost. The true meaning within these walls and this special time of year fall to the way side. Grab a bit of inspiration, and then look at your home with fresh eyes. You might not have a mantel or even a budget for a tree, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put little touches around your home to celebrate the season.

Thank you so much for joining me here today. I am so thankful to Wayfair Canada for sponsoring this post. Thank you for joining me on this stop of the Christmas Mantels Around America Blog Hop- I am so humbled to be joining so many talented and lovely souls, and to thanks to Suzy from Worthing Court for making it all possible! Get Inspired and visit all of the participants in the links below, and please feel free to leave a comment with your favourite holiday tradition, or way to keep grounded amidst the hustle and bustle- I’d love to hear from you!

I’ll be back this week with more of our home prettied up for Christmas.

-Miss Ash

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Decorating styles can vary all over North America.  Enjoy visiting these other fabulous blogs to see how they’ve decorated their Christmas mantels in the region where they live!

CANADA:

This Mama’s Dance

EAST:

Atta Girl Says  ||  Golden Boys & Me  ||  In My Own Style  ||  StoneGable  ||The Everyday Home  ||  The Rustic Life  ||  Worthing Court

CENTRAL:

Cedar Hill Farmhouse  ||  Edith & Evelyn  ||  House By Hoff  ||  It All Started With Paint  ||  Maison de Pax  ||  Town & Country Living

WEST:

At The Picket Fence  ||  Classic Casual Home  ||  Tidbits  ||  Twelve On Main