Let’s talk about bringing holiday cheer to different surfaces around the house. Sherdog had some fun with the mantel—as she often does—and, true to form, she shared the step-by-step of her surface swaps for the season. So buckle up: things got festive fast. Spoiler: the console table and built-ins got a makeover too.
The mantel update was simple. I hung the stockings by the chimney with care and arranged some faux presents I made earlier on the mantel. I also topped Gift Mountain with a glittered stag ornament from Target—just a cheap find that adds nice height and sparkle.
I grabbed two of the stag ornaments so they wouldn’t be lonely.
For anyone wondering about the stockings—no, Burger didn’t miss out. Mommy and Daddy share a stocking, and each of the kids has their own special stocking.
Next I moved to the console table by the door. This was a quick, playful swap: I pulled a few feather trees from the attic bin and added a small faux evergreen I’ve kept for years.
I also filled the glass-based lamp with silver ornaments for instant holiday shimmer.
A bowl of ornaments sits atop some silvery-blue books to tie colors together and add layered height.
Inside a glass dome I placed a ceramic partridge-like bird and a large green ornament to echo the greens in the trees, artwork, and the console table itself.
Feeling festive, I brought a bag of holiday accessories into the kitchen. I stuck a few hot pink ornaments—each with a magnet glued on years ago—on the fridge to hold holiday cards.
Then I filled the top shelf’s cake plate with silver ornaments and placed another bird accent nearby for a cohesive, collected look.
For the built-ins, I wanted subtle holiday nods rather than a total overhaul. Pops of red—faux poppies, a red book, and a large round ornament—play beautifully against the deep teal back wall. An oversized green ornament and silver balls in a hurricane vase on the lower shelf complete the vignette.
The other side of the built-ins got textured red coral, a knitted red cactus, more silver balls in a hurricane, a faux clam shell filled with small ornaments, and a tiny ornament in honor of Burger.
Up close: that little chihuahua ornament in the green bowl always makes us laugh. It’s one of those quirky touches that keeps the display personal and fun.
We styled this area similarly for a shoot in October for R Home magazine. Since it was their holiday issue, they asked for festive background elements—what we set up for that shoot looks close to what we have now.
That little Burger ornament even helped keep Clara’s attention long enough to get the shot during the shoot—proving it’s not just entertaining to us.
With these surface updates, my decorating to-do list is much shorter. Here’s what’s left:
- Get a live tabletop tree again and try a new ornament idea this year
- Hang the outside lights and decorate the front porch
- Make an advent calendar for Clara
- Finish buying or making gifts (about 80% done)
We also checked one big item off the list: our annual Clara & Burger photo is done and ready. We’ll share it after the cards go out—no spoilers here. And no, it’s not a pregnancy announcement.
Who else is decking the halls this year? Any favorite touches or themes you’re loving? Share what you’re doing and spread the inspiration.