My Christmas Mantel

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I really enjoyed decorating for Christmas this year! The day after Thanksgiving, Justin took the boys for the morning and left me alone in the house with a freshly cut Christmas tree and 7 boxes of Christmas decorations.

My mom helped me decorate my porch while she was here over Thanksgiving, and my sister helped me set up my Village in the command center, but other than that the main indoor decorations were left to me.

I feel like I kept it somewhat simple this year. The house feels really festive, but I don’t feel like I overdid it, or created too much visual clutter. It should shock nobody that I like to keep Christmas pretty simple around my house, and I actually didn’t even utilize about 3 boxes of random decor I’ve collected over the years.

A Christmas surprise, though, was discovering the bottle brush trees I bought from Anthropologie on sale LAST year after Christmas. I had completely forgot that I bought them! Naturally I had to display them in the most prominent location, so up on the mantel they went.

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As of this very moment the tree is just lit and I have all the ornaments sitting in a box next to it. I can’t seem to find the will to put the ornaments on it. In fact, I may just skip it this year! Justin nor the kids mind, and I have a little kid-friendly set up in the playroom for the boys to look at!

The tree is still a statement though with it’s pretty IKEA star on top! These stars are intended to hang from a ceiling like a pendant, but I just stick it onto the top of my tree after jamming lights in it, and it’s a pretty little topper!

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Have you decorated for Christmas? We bought a WEMO so we could control the tree with our phones, which is pretty fun. You can also set up a timer on it as well.

More Christmas cheer? Here’s a beautiful updo to try, and some yummy cookies!

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Stephanie says · 11.30.16

I set us all up for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. My family has a tradition of decorating for Christmas on Black Friday instead of going out shopping. Although now that we mostly shop online, we don’t save as much money doing that as we used to, but at least we don’t have to deal with crowds!

http://aneducationindomestication.com

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Alyssa says · 11.30.16

I kinda love that you didn’t do ornaments too. Sometimes that’s the most stressful part (aside from those darn lights). I love the simplicity of it. Thanks for the holiday inspiration!

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Elizabeth says · 11.30.16

Such a pretty mantel!! Love the simplicity and holiday decor!
XO
http://stripesandsolitaires.com/

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Amanda @ Midwest Nice says · 11.30.16

I just bought my first real tree in over a decade! It’s my first Christmas in my first home and I wish I could say I was keeping it simple like you – but I’m so happy with how things turned out. I can’t stop staring and smiling like an idiot.

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Emily says · 11.30.16

It looks beautiful! I have that light-up star on the block of wood from Target this year too, but I can’t figure out how to make mine stay on! Am I just being dumb?! For mine, it seems like you have to hold the button down to make it light up!

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Marina says · 11.30.16

Emily, I have the same Target star and that button is just used as a “try me” in store. There actually is a place for two AA batteries underneath the wood base. Once you’ve inserted those you can use the black switch on the bottom to keep the star lit.

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Christy says · 12.01.16

Is it available online? I’ve searched their website but can’t seem to find it!

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Katie says · 11.30.16

Where do you hang you stockings?

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Katie says · 11.30.16

*YOUR

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Katie says · 11.30.16

So pretty! You’re right- festive, but not over the top. I think I’m going to wait until this weekend to decorate. Last year I started celebrating Christmas the day after Thanksgiving and I totally burnt myself out!
Katie Actually

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bridie p says · 11.30.16

Hi! Love the mantel! Where did your get your garland? I’m trying to find a garland like that that looks nice but doesn’t break the bank! Thank you!

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Jenny says · 11.30.16

Beautiful! How do you hang your garland… tape, command strips?

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loretta mcdonald says · 11.30.16

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. Love your picture awesome giveaway thanks for the opportunity🎅🎄🎁

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Meg says · 11.30.16

Beautiful decor! I put up my decorations the weekend before Thanksgiving, since we left to go out of town on the 20th! I came home to a beautifully decorated house. Best idea I’ve had in a long time! Ha ha!

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Sarah Chavis says · 12.01.16

Pretty decorations! I love the simplicity of your decorations. I went to Le Cordon Bleu in Pittsburgh (baking)..they always said “less is more.” So I found the to be true even when it comes to decorating aside from cakes.

Do you think you could ever do a post on tip and tricks on blogging photography?

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Kristen says · 12.01.16

Your mantel is beautiful! I’m going to have to make a Target run for that cute gold star!

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Lauren says · 12.01.16

So pretty, and I LOVE that tree topper!!
-Lauren
http://www.chic-ethique.com/

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Lisa Hays says · 12.05.16

I feel ya with the tree. We are empty nesters. When the kids were here, they had no interest in decorating the tree ( I thought kids liked that!). I dread it but once I’m done I enjoy sitting in that room and looking at it. Oh – and aforementioned kids have GORGEOUS trees of their own!

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Mel says · 12.05.16

Beautiful!!! Your style is always stunning!!

Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com

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