Christmas Mantel & a Glittered NOEL

I can't believe today is December 1!!?? Where has the year gone? I think that means I'm getting old older, since time seems to be picking up speed. The Christmas season always flies by so quickly too, so I started my decorating the day after Thanksgiving. I plan to enjoy it as long as possible!

I loved the warm simplicity of my Fall Mantel so much I wanted to create something similar for the Christmas season.



We moved our Christmas tree from the living room to the den this year, which means the stockings moved as well. So I was able to create a new look for this mantel and decided on mixed metallics. (The burlap vases just moved to a new spot with a bit of a Holiday makeover too, and I'll show you those later.) Most of the gold decor I already had, and I added some gaudy shiny silver with the DIY 'Noel' letters.

Start with cardboard paper mache letters from the craft store, some glue and glitter:



**Warning: this is quite possibly the messiest project to date. Unless you like seeing glitter on every surface of your home, do it outside. (that's what she said)

It was impossible to keep the little helpers away from this hot mess project.



It takes awhile for the glue to dry and the glitter to set. If you pick up a letter and tap off the excess too soon, you'll lose 75% of the glitter. So douse your letters with glue and glitter, then leave them alone until fully dry. Even once they were dry, glitter was still getting everywhere, so I gave mine a quick coat of clear polyacrylic spray. I don't know if it helped or not...but the letters look pretty cool!



You could do any combination of letter sizes, or all one size...I just liked the quirkiness this way.


(see the loose glitter?)

You've watched these hurricanes go from Summer, to Halloween to Fall...and now Christmas. I simply filled them with gold accessories from my Christmas stash.



I'm a little afraid to light the candles with the sticks in there, but they're fun...and add great height!



Mr. Sugarplum likes to wait until I have something just how I like it, then come behind me to add his own "special touch." Since he lives in the house too, I usually allow it.


(I gave up trying to clean-up the glitter!)

I have to admit, I almost always like what he adds. But he's an artist, so he has the whole 'creative' thing going for him. {heart}



And so you don't think all my Christmas decor is cold, and I'm a Mommy Dearest that doesn't allow wire hangers* stockings....here is our other mantel (the fireplace is double-sided).


(I guess 'Noel' is the Christmas word of choice in my house??)

It contains traditional garland with lights, berries, and ribbon. It's also incredibly hard to photograph without a flash, so sorry for the crapball pics!



My angel ornaments didn't fit with the 'vibe' of my Christmas tree this year, so I placed them in the mantel so I could still enjoy them. The wreath is attached to the mirror with a Scotch hook.



I love how each mantel reflects the mood of the room....bright and cool in the living room, warm and cozy in the den.



But it's only December 1, I'm sure I'll be tinkering with both of them for at least two more weeks. How's the decorating coming along in your house?

*Anyone get this reference, or am I the only demented child whose mother watched  whack movies?