Holiday Mantel
Build it in five layers:
- 1Picture, mirror, wreath or sign
- 2Garland
- 3Flowers, objects or statues
- 4Candles or lights
- 5Ribbon
1 · Picture, mirror, wreath or sign
Your main focal point.
- 1
Your focal point
Something against the back wall, filling about the middle 50–80% of it. We've used all four at different times: a family sign, mirrors of every shape, seasonal wreaths, and a painting when I find one I love.
Shop your own house first
2 · Garland
Something long that invites the eye from left to right. Draped or straight, thick or thin.
- 6 ft
Faux cedar garland
Thick, lush and quite lovely. If it's out of stock online, check the store. I've learned that for every big box store!
From Hobby Lobby - 6 ft
Or fresh garland
White pine garland is my favorite.
Home Depot, Menards, garden centers, flower farms, florists
3 · Flowers, objects or statues
Your invitation into the design.
- 1–3
A shiny or metal object
Big gold bells, metal wheat sheaves, gold pumpkins, a gold stag, a pewter turkey, metal pears or pomegranates.
Your own shelves, home and craft stores - 1–3
Or a stone statue
A garden statue, stone antlers, stone pears.
Garden centers, home stores - 1–2
Or fresh flowers in a vase
Tall, short, skinny or round. People walk toward fresh flowers, so let them invite everyone into your design.
Grocer, Trader Joe's, florist, your garden
4 · Candles or lights
The glow.
- 6–12
Beeswax taper candles
Beeswax tapers outlast paraffin and soy, with a steady, golden flame and a light honey scent. Big Dipper Wax Works sells them in pairs. The Etsy shop hand-dips a 10-pack, made in the USA.
Big Dipper is also at Whole Foods - 1 set
Candlestick holders
Mix heights for movement. The brass set is nice and heavy.
Gold set at Target, brass set on Amazon - 1 pack
Candle grips
They keep your tapers standing tall and straight.
- 1–2
A beeswax candle in glass
Pure beeswax poured into glass. The amber blown glass glows like honey on a mantel, and you can refill it next year.
Amber glass from Bluecorn (choose “one-time” at checkout). Small jar by Big Dipper. - A few
Battery candles or holiday lights
Plug-in or battery, every shape and size.
Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Menards
5 · Ribbon
The bow on top.
- 1
Wide wired ribbon
4″ wide makes the prettiest bows and tails. I love velvet with a little gold sparkle, in deep green, rich red or chocolate brown. For a slimmer bow, try 2.5″ bronze gold.
Green and red at Hobby Lobby, brown and bronze on Amazon. Also at Michaels, fabric stores and gift shops - 1
Good ribbon scissors
Sharp, so your ribbon ends come out clean.