Christmas Mantel Decorating Ideas

Easy and inexpensive tips so you can treat any flat surface next to a wall as a Christmas mantel even if you don’t have a fireplace!

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For years I bemoaned the fact that I didn’t have a fireplace in our home, thus I had no place to cuddle up with my hubby and no mantel to decorate to share my creativity and yard sale goodies.

You know, silly little insignificant problems.

One year I realized it was ok to just “pretend” we had a mantel. Any flat surface would do so I chose the top of our piano which was squeezed in between two bookcases in our living room.

That was back in 2012 and I had no idea what I was doing with my Christmas decor, blog or photography! 

Sometimes it’s fun when you’re oblivious to the “rules” and you do it because you enjoy it, are passionate for learning new ideas and stretching yourself.

Now in 2015 I’m a little wiser with a better sense of my style, a greater purpose for my blog, a better camera and and some solid photo editing software!

Let me share what I’ve learned with these Christmas mantel decorating ideas using yard sale treasures, free natural goodies and some great deals from Big Lots! 

I had already scoped out Big Lots in earlier weeks and knew several items I wanted to purchase.

The starting place for the mantel is this $4 window I bought this summer at a yard sale. It needed some cleaning up but it’s perfect for my rustic shabby chic style!

I wrapped an old strand of beads around a $2 wreath from a craft store and pushed some fresh berries among the stems.

The sled is one of a package of three ornaments from Big Lots. I just cut off the jute for hanging and wired it onto the wreath. Easiest wreath ever!

This metal stand was up in the attic in my stash and I loaded it with a pack of filler balls and greenery from Big Lots and these burlap star ornaments.

Can I tell you how I’m crushin’ on the ornaments? I would have hung them all over my tree but my family still loves our sentimental ones.

These rustic burlap ornaments are totally trendy and at such a great value I bought several. I’m using them all over my home!

When we got our Christmas tree I asked for extra branches and have used them on our deck and on this mantel so far. I do this every year to add a touch of the outdoors and because THEY’RE FREE!

We only had a few berries in our yard so I put out a request on our neighborhood Facebook group and soon I had all the berries I needed! Again, FREE!

I have a definite crush on lanterns at Big Lots. I bought ones that would coordinate with my decor even after the holidays. I was thinking ahead, y’all!

The patina on this lantern is just beautiful and makes me happy.

The detailing takes this accessory up a notch for my festive mantel.

You can also see on the candle holders I added a glitter ball instead of candles for a pop of style. I’m learning to experiment and step outside the norm, whatever that is!

My Christmas mantel is like most everything else in my home: part DIY, part repurposed, part free and part new! I love using my God-given creativity to stretch and challenge myself.

I have shopped the Big Lots week after week these last few months and have found quality brands that last for your budget and mine. Our favorite name brands are available at the best prices, and I love that Big Lots home decor is on trend at a great value that I can afford!

I’d love to know where you’d put these gorgeous lanterns in your home!