This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hobby Lobby. The opinions and text are all mine.
Today I’m showing off my Christmas mantel. When I got the challenge from Hobby Lobby— I immediately asked my husband, “how hard is it to take down the T.V.?” Because I wanted one of those pinterest perfect mantels without a big giant black blob up there! BUT LET’S BE REAL! We watch T.V. I mean…It’s Hallmark Christmas movie time! So I decided to show you a couple different ways to add your decorations AROUND a big T.V in case you have a black blob too!
Here is my basic idea–but scroll down to see the giant joy–that I LOVE!
How to decorate a Christmas mantel
Let me tell you how I start with a mantel–because sometimes you go into Hobby Lobby and get a little overwhelmed with all the choices!
First, a color scheme!
I pick a color scheme. (luckily, Hobby Lobby puts up beautiful displays in all different color schemes in case you need help with it)
Then I just walk through the store and literally put anything in my cart that I love that matches the color scheme. And sometimes your cart looks like this:
It’s fine! I totally go into an empty corner at the store (if you can find one) and spread out all the things and narrow down what will work in my place. Take into consideration the color of your mantel and brick/stone. My mantel is white–so I wanted to add some white so it ties it all together. And the back is brick–so I knew that anything brick colored would get lost in front of it. Next thing to consider is the size of your mantel. Some people have large mantels–My original idea was to add two garlands to make one big, thick one–but the mantel I have isn’t very large and the tv gets in the way–and once a garland is up–it’s doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for anything else!
Next tip–varying sizes.
I like to have big things..and little things. So I always try to grab a few things that all different sizes so when you are layering it on your mantel it looks good together! Along with varying sizes–you want a variety of things! You probably don’t want only signs, or only trees (unless that is what you are going for) I usually grab a pillow, a few trees, candlesticks a sign, I even grabbed a couple fun Santa bags. Just a nice variety of things to look good (this is where the color scheme plays in–so it’s not just a random hodge podge of things!
Last tip-take some photos!
If you aren’t sure about something–take some pictures-go home and configure out how you want it laid out. Sometimes there isn’t room for what you have planned (I have a big chalkboard easel that I got at Hobby Lobby that was just too big for the space! I ended up putting it in my entryway instead!Â
Okay–let me break down some of the stuff I bought!
- Stockings
- sign wood blank (see sign below in post)
- 2 white trees
- all the bottle brush trees
- fabric (or pillow)
- believe sign
- horn
- nativity supplies (see down below)
- garland
- twinkle lights
- command hooks (to hang up all those stockings and garland!)
Here is why I love Hobby Lobby! If you have ever been in the store–you know that there are so many different stockings. So many different trees, decor. I mean look at all these garlands:
You could recreate my mantel–but pick totally different garlands, stockings, pillows and it will look completely different! And since it’s all pretty–you can’t go wrong! I love all the fun options!
I, of course, like to DIY all the things–so while you literally could just buy all the things I like to add the “Kim touch” so it truly feels like mine!
First: I made this sign:
I love the wood blank aisle at Hobby Lobby–so I grabbed this one so I could make this saying to go along with my manger scene! (although Hobby Lobby has so many good signs that are ready to go if you aren’t in the crafty mood.)
Another thing I DIYed- These paper trees using a tree form from Hobby Lobby
I actually bought these cardboard forms from Hobby Lobby and I was going to paint–but then realized that I could use them as a form to make these paper trees! The most inexpensive decor! I thought they looked so cute with the bottle brush trees! And Hobby Lobby has the BEST wrapping paper- one roll of wrapping paper could make SO MANY trees!Â
I bought these stockings (the other ones I had already) but I thought these are AWESOME–because they are pretty as is BUT, if you want to add some DIY flair to them–they are perfect blanks! Add some fabric, ribbon, paint, vinyl! Love them!
I did add some ribbon and greenery
I even threw on a red pompom to the plaid one and snowflake ornaments to just a little more.Â
and since my pom poms were out–I put some on a present. Grabbed all the yarn at the store while I was there!
The next DIY (might be my favorite) is the letterboard box! I had this wood box and just thought it needed something. Lucky for me I had all these fun letterboard letters on hand because I stocked up when they were on sale at hobby lobby!
I literally just hot glued them to the box!
You might notice that pillow in the box. First: my original walk through of the store I had 3 pillows from Hobby Lobby in my cart! (so many cute ones) but I already have way too many Christmas totes and pillows take up lots of space–so I ended up over in the fabric section and just grabbed me this pretty plaid to make a pillow cover to put over my existing pillow! I actually grabbed these dish towels because I thought they would make cute pillows with a little sew job (I do planning on adding some vinyl to them when I have a minute!)Â
ANd last: Let’s talk about this nativity scene! I really want our Christmas to be focused on the CHRIST–so I thought it should be the centerpiece of our mantel! And it’s really easy!
and if you are thinking–well that’s great until you want to watch tv! It’s actually all attached and can come down really easy!
Here is what you need to make a manger scene
- foam
- dowels
- star topper (optional)
- twinkle lights (also optional)
- glue gun
- scissors
- printer
- foam
I found some silhouettes online and just printed them off and used them to as a pattern.
I cut out each one–making sure that they are faced correctly. Mary and the shepherds face to the right and the Kings Joseph face to the left. (I did have a donkey and a camel but they were too big for my tv!)
Then I just hot glued them onto the back of each figure.
The only thing to take into consideration is that it looks really nice when they are all the same height–so you might have to trim some of the dowels down!
I spray painted the dowels black so they would blend in with the tv!
I cut up a long rectangle piece of foam and placed it on my mantel and just popped the people in
see the command hooks for the stockings?
I wanted a big glowing star (even though you could just cut one out of the foam) I found a tree topper in the right shape and popped off the tree part and added a dowel.
Then I just added some lights to the back!Â
I just placed it right behind the manger!
I ended up adding a little stable using paint sticks I had in my garage!
Now when we want to watch tv–I just take down the two pieces of foam with all the people attached. (it looks cute in front of my fireplace too)
I love how it glows at night:
Once that was I up–I just added some trees-a cute sign at the bottom and filled it in so the mantel looked full
(Random sidenote: this little nativity scene would be so cute as a puppet show. They are really fun to play with!)
I do–what I always do…and decided I wanted to show you some other versions! I ended up cutting up a posterboard into this fun Joy sign (it’s literally just scotch tape holding it up–but If I could redo it– I would cut it out of foam core board to make it sturdy and put the dowels in it so you could remove it a little easier)
I moved all the trees up–Love how they look all together!
and of course–if you are big TV people (like it’s always on) you can put the trees over on the sides
and place just a small thin sign along the bottom!
See…you can see the TV perfectly! #whatmovie
I have this joy sign I made a couple years ago (from supplies found at Hobby Lobby)
and you could use them with sticks and put them up there as well!Â
I thought you could get a wreath stand and hang up a big beautiful wreath up in front of your tv! Easy to pull down as needed!
I also wanted to show you how easy it was to swap out a few things and change the look: I took away all the color. Only used the white stuff and swapped out the pillow (and turned the blanket inside out!) Now it looks farmhouse chic!
Make sure to use a coupon on one of your fun purchases!
Okay–here is a closeup of some of the fun things –enjoy the eye candy!
Do you spy my merry christmas sign from here!?
Guys! I just keep sitting my fireplace at night and take all in the beauty! I love Christmas!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hobby Lobby. The opinions and text are all mine.
Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.
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