Hello and welcome. Raise your hand if you have a gigantic, black TV hanging over your mantel. (Can you see my hand flying around?) Even if you don’t, I’ve got a few DIY Christmas mantel decor ideas that will work either way. I stayed very basic but with a slight twist that anyone can do. OK…back to the TV.
Our family room is used all the time and honestly, it’s all about the TV. (Read how I transformed it with paint several years ago.) Putting the TV over the mantel was the right choice for us because our room is long and chopped up with windows and doors. The only time I regret our choice is at Christmas. I wish I could hang an amazing wreath with gorgeous garland dripping from the mantel.
Since I can’t, I have come up with a way to make it festive but still functional. There is an outlet behind the TV so plugging in lights is no problem. This year I used the greenery from last year’s stairway decor. It was the right length but even if it was a little shorter or a little longer it still would have worked.
Instead of the traditional red and white, I used gold ceramic balls to decorate the garland. As luck would have it they match the urns almost exactly. White lights and pine cones finished it off.
Placing the big pine cones in the urns was a last minute idea. I am not sure if they will stay put or not…time will tell on that!
A Christmas mantel isn’t complete without some stockings. I picked out three coordinating stockings from my online shop. They bring a pop of red into the mix and I love the ticking.
Putting pillows in a hearth basket is a great way to store them when you actually want to sit on your furniture!
A couple of things about working around a TV. First, make sure to tuck the greenery under your TV so it doesn’t block the signal from your remote. I have it nice and fluffy in the pics but right after I had to smoosh it down. Second, make sure not to disturb any of the wires or cords. When I was trying to get the lights plugged in I must have bumped the HDMI cord and it actually broke. We didn’t realize it until five minutes before the start of the Notre Dame game…which let me tell you was just a little stressful. Thank heavens we have other TV’s in the house! I had to replace the HDMI cable and it wasn’t cheap. So…just be careful.
Here’s a few source links:
Christmas Stockings
Embroidered Pillow Cover – joyeux noel
Large Pine Cones (aff. link)
Today I’m joining a great group of DIY bloggers who are featuring their Christmas Mantels. If you have a few extra minutes to visit these girls I promise you are in for a treat.
For the full line up of mantels just go to
At Home With The Barkers
or
Daisy Mae Belle
and the other blogs on the tour with me today:
All Things Heart and Home
The Woodgrain Cottage
StoneGable
Thank you so much…see you soon!
Heather says
Monday, November 17, 2014 at 9:53 pmYour mantel is gorgeous Ann!! Those stockings are simply stunning too! I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas this year!! Pinning! ~ Heather
MaryJean says
Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 6:09 pmAnn, yours was one of the first blogs I started viewing regularly and I have to say, I still enjoy your blog! Such a pretty mantel. Although I don’t have a fireplace, I do have a mantel that is over our TV table/cablinet. I just pretend I have a fireplace and turn on one of those stations that runs a viewing of a crackling fireplace. :)
I love the red for Christmas, I may continue with it this year and add some gold or silver, we will see!
Leslie @ House on the Way says
Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 8:12 pmI love your Christmas mantel…the urns are so pretty and I love the gold ceramic balls! You’ve done an awesome job working around the tv. A tv can be hard to decorate with in any situation. Have a great weekend.
Leslie
Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 11:10 pmLove your adorable stockings, Ann! The pillows, too!!
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 1:59 pmJust gorgeous Ann! So fun being on tour with you again!
Debbie says
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 10:17 pmThe men at my house wanted to put t.v.’s above the mantels and that’s where I drew the line! NO, so that’s what I did ;) Your mantel is beautiful, love the large pine cones! Pinning.
Debbie
Pj says
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 12:45 pmClassic & gorgeous, as usual!
martina says
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 11:21 amVery pretty Ann!!
TidyMom says
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 9:04 amAnn your stockings are GORGEOUS!! and I love what you did with the fireplace!
Nanci says
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 6:54 amWell your sense of humor starting with the big black TV in this post had me chuckling from beginning to ending with the Notre Dame game. My favorites are your stockings and the frenchy pillow!!
Ann Drake says
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 8:00 amOh Nanci I thought my husband was going to have a breakdown! For about 10 minutes I wanted to run away from home. lol. Thanks for stopping by!
Robin All Things Heart and Home says
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 5:57 amAnn your mantle is beautiful…the stockings are some of my favorites- I need to replace my stockings this year so I’ll visit your shop :)
sending love xo
andrea sowden says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 9:50 pmHi Ann I just started following you and was wondering if you ever had a grey ticking material?
Ann Drake says
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 7:59 amHi Andrea! No I have never seen grey ticking that is new. There is amazing vintage French grey ticking but it’s not the “pillow ticking” stripes. The stripes are usually wider. It’s also very pricey! Thank you for following along and Happy Holidays!
andrea sowden says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 9:48 pmHi Ann I just started following you and was wondering if you ever carried a grey pinstripe material?
Jeanette Duke says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 8:43 pmHow nice, Ann. Our daughter has a TV over her mantle and she finally figured out how to decorate around it. I think you did a beautiful job on yours.
laura@top this top that says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 6:23 pmAnn, your stockings from your shop are so pretty….like everything else that you have. Pretty mantel.
Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 4:33 pmBeautiful Ann. TV or not. Your stockings are so lovely and the perfect finishing touch :)
Sue Sims says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 3:42 pmI recently started to follow your blog Ann and this one about Christmas Mantles is perfect timing for me. We have a fireplace and mantle in our family room and thought this year we would put a garland on it. Your ideas are beautiful, will send you a photo once it’s finished. We love Christmas in our house as it is such a special time of year. So thanks once again for sharing your wonderful ideas.
Ann Drake says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 9:30 pmYou are welcome Sue…and thank you for taking the time to leave such a nice comment. Happy Holidays!
Patty says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 1:48 pmYour mantel is beautiful. I love decorating my mantel every year for Xmas. We have been thinking of hanging a TV above the mantel, but thought that it would make it to high, but we were leaning toward it anyway, but after seeing your blog today, it ain’t going to happen I don’t want anything interfering with decorating my mantel. Thank you for sharing, I just would not have thought about it until it was to late.
Ann Drake says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 9:31 pmYes…mantel decorating is somewhat limited with a giant TV in the way…enjoy your holidays!
Penny @ The Comforts of Home says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 1:01 pmIt looks wonderful Ann. I adore your stockings. I am lucky that we don’t have a TV above our mantel.
Lori says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 12:54 pmYour mantel is lovely! I LOVE the ticking on the stockings that you made.
Peggy Zortman says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 12:19 pmYour mantel is beautiful! I love, love, love your stockings. Your choice of gold ceramic is very refreshing. I so enjoy seeing what you create!
Jennifer McCracken says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 11:39 amVery pretty mantel, Ann! We just put our TV above the mantel, so I have to change things up this year! Do you have a source for the stocking holders you show? Mine can’t be used any longer, as they were tall candle sticks with hooks. I need an alternative!
Ann Drake says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 12:58 pmHi Jennifer! I got those a few years ago from a blogger friend and have no idea where she got them. I googled a little bit and found this link at Lowes.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_439096-19578-MC0423_0__?productId=50264325&Ntt=
Hope this helps!
Patricia says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 11:34 amYour mantel looks lovely. I love your stockings as well.
I saw your button that says you belong to a group of Martha Stewart bloggers. Wow! I am so impressed and so happy for how far you’ve come in your blogging journey. Keep up the good work.
Ann Drake says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 12:54 pmOh Patricia it’s so good to hear from you! I hope all is well. Yes…my blog is growing and my hard work is starting to pay off. Being in Martha’s Circle has been such a blessing to me. Thank you again for taking the time to leave me a comment. Happy Holidays!
Kelly says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 10:12 amGreat advice Ann. Really pretty & love those stockings!
Carolyn says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 9:34 amI to have a big TV above the mantel. Thanks for the tips and lucky for me I have a couple of your stocking to hang. : )
Kathy says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 9:25 amHi Ann-
Looks fresh and wonderful ! Sorry about the cable…sounds like that could happen around here :)
Do you have a source you would be willing to share for those gold ceramic ornaments? Just love them .
Ann Drake says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 12:53 pmHi Kathy…the gold ornaments came from a local shop called The Homestead Collection. I got them a few years ago. I looked on the balls but couldn’t find a name or maker. I’m sorry!
Kathy says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 3:23 pmThanks kindly for checking.
Karyn Wright says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 9:12 amOmg! You are such an inspiration. I love everything you do. But I must say that when I see what you do…gives me anxiety. I still have Halloween decorations up and here you are decorated for Christmas. How on earth do you do it??
Ann Drake says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 12:51 pmOh my goodness don’t be anxious! The honest truth is that I signed up for this Mantel Tour so had to get it finished. A little incentive works wonders!
Shayna @ The Wood Grain Cottage says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 9:09 amAbsolutely beautiful, Ann! I love your garland, and those stockings are gorgeous! AND, I didn’t even notice your t.v.! Can’t wait to see more of your Christmas decorating! :)
Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 8:51 amLOve, love, love it, Ann! I think so many people can relate to having a TV over their mantels and you decorate around it beautifully. Of course, your hand-made stockings are fantastic and they become the focal point. Gorgeous! :)
Ashley @ Cherished Bliss says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 8:40 amAbsolutely beautiful Ann! Those stockings are just perfect!! and way to go on decorating around a tv! Mine is on a tv stand and I still struggle to decorate around it ;)
Jan says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 8:39 amReally beautiful – I was wondering what to do about the black spaceship above the mantel too.
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 8:38 amYour mantel looks so beautiful. Gorgeous garland and of course the stockings are fabulous.
Chloe Crabtree says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 8:22 amWhat a lovely mantle. I don’t have a mantel these days, but I have a unique bookcase beneath my television, so I can relate to the challenges. Fortunately with the shelves, I also have shelf space to add Christmasy elements! I will be heading out to take the tour of mantels!
debbiedoos says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 8:15 amYou do an amazing job Ann working around that TV. Seriously it just blends in. I notice your pretty decor much more so.
Diane says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 7:41 amI am so glad I am not the only one with the TV problem. We to like it, however it does present a problem at Christmas. I do the same thing you do with the garland. I have tall candlesticks on either end with pine cones. Love your stockings and the clay tags.
Pamela Gordon says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 7:35 amHI Ann. I love your mantel decor and the gorgeous pops of red and ticking stripes in the pillows. We don’t have a mantel or wall mounted TV but I do have a bookshelf across the stairwell wall that I decorate. I’m thinking something different for there this year and may go back to garland again. I like having the lights on during the evenings. Have a great day! I’m off to visit the other participants.
Shirley@housepitality designs says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 7:25 amBeautiful Ann!…I have a mantel in our media room that I have to work around too…Love, love your mantel and your gorgeous stockings!!!…Facebooking!!!
Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 7:05 amAnn, I always LOVE what you do! This mantel is so pretty! And those stockings are beautiful! Thanks so much for being a part of the tour! Life to the full! Melissa
Sonya~At Home with The Barkers says
Monday, November 10, 2014 at 6:46 amSo pretty Ann!! You can even make a TV look glam :) Thanks so much for joining us and sharing your Christmas Mantel ideas! ~Sonya