How to Make a Mantel Look Festive for the Holidays

Here is a simple project that will dress up any flat surface in your home for the holidays. Mantles, sideboards, bookcases and coffee tables can be decorated instantly with just a quick trip into the garden and a few glass ball ornaments.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Dust and cover the surface you plan to decorate with clear plastic sheeting. Anything that will prevent dampness from reaching the wood surface will do including; aluminium foil, plastic wrap, or a plastic garbage bag.
2. Go into your garden and cut a grocery bag full of evergreen trimmings. Some examples of evergreens you can use for this project are; juniper, redwood, pine, cedar or holly. You can even use a combination of all of these greens. The cuttings should be 6 - 12" long.
3. Wash the cuttings to remove any dust or insects before bringing them into the house.
4. Spread the clean cuttings on newspaper to dry for a few hours.
5. Begin at the outer edge of your mantle (or other flat surface) and lay a few pieces of greenery on the plastic - tips (growth ends) pointing toward the end.
6. Lay more cuttings so that they overlap the first ones you laid down.
7. Continue overlapping greenery until you reach the mid-point of the mantle.
8. Start at the other end, overlapping greenery so that the tip ends are facing the other end of the mantle. Once you get to the center and meet with the other set of greens, tuck the plastic sheet under so that it won't show.
9. Place glass ball ornaments at the mid-point (where the two sections of greenery meet). Use different sized balls, tucking them in to the greens so they are secure.
10. Place votive candles in glass holders among the greenery and ornaments.

Tips & Warnings

• This style of loose arrangement will last 1 - 3 weeks inside the house, depending on how high you keep the indoor temperature.
• Place pine cones among the greens if you desire.
• At the end of the holiday season, pick out the glass balls for storage and roll up the plastic sheeting for a quick clean-up!
• Make sure that the candles never touch the greenery; use the votive candle holders.
• Never leave burning candles untended.

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