CHRISTMAS ON THE MANTEL

I'm calling the Christmas mantel done. I have struggled with the décor on this mantel this year. I normally use our Fontanini nativity on the mantel (last year's mantel-here), but I decided to try something different this year. Next year, I'll probably go back to the Fontanini set.

I bought these large figures several years ago at a seasonal Christmas store (only open from November 1 through December 31). They were on sale after Christmas, and I thought they needed to come home with me.

 

Of course, the figure of Mary is what sold me on the set. I love her sweet face and beautiful dress.

 

 

Although he's not as pretty, Joseph came along with Mary.

 

 

The sweet baby Jesus on his bed of hay.

I've had these wooden trees with tarnished bells for a number of years I really like their rustic look.

Aren't these little straw-covered sheep sweet? I recently bought them at a wholesale store. They are supposed to be tree ornaments.

I wrapped these battery powered timer candles in a piece of the red plaid ribbon I used in the garland.

There really is a reason that the blue fabric is hanging behind the nativity figures. I wanted to put twinkling stars behind them.

Here is the ugly "before" of my mother's old fireplace screen. I just wired lights to the back of the screen. I didn't have a piece of blue fabric that was sheer enough to allow the lights to shine through. I was thinking about going out to buy some when I remembered an old blue maxi dress that I had put into the box to take to the mission. I cut the skirt off of the dress, and secured it to the screen with magnets.

The lights are twinkling, so some of them were off when I took this picture.

UPDATE: I changed the mantel! Yep, the one I was calling "done".

Thank you for coming by to see our Christmas mantel. 

This post is partying with Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch,  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life, Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House, Table It at Rustic and Refined, and You’re Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E.