Mantel Vignetti

I think that somebody, somewhere, should be named Mantel Vignetti. It sounds Italian. And it is a much more fun blog post title than “Mantel Vignette” don’t you think?

One of the gifts I am giving myself this Christmas is to NOT put out ALL of our Christmas décor. We aren’t even going to be home for the holidays- we are taking a 2-week trip to Utah, similar to last year’s, but this time we are PLANNING ON IT instead of winging it last minute like we have done for the past 2 years.

(If you are a criminal and looking for a house to rob, you can come to ours during the holidays. We have absolutely nothing of value and have already begun rigging up booby traps for you. Also, we have installed hidden cameras to capture your reaction on film and win lots of money with America’s Funniest Videos.)

I had almost decided to not even put up our tree, but I have reconsidered. We are doing it tonight, because gosh darn it, the kids love it and I love their little ornaments. More on that later. I had almost decided not to put up any lights outside either, but… gosh darnit the kids love them! Dern kids. (I love them, so it all works out in the end.)

Anyhow, I took an hour this week and set up a Christmas Vignette on the mantel.

Disclosure: We have a flat screen tv above our mantel. So sue us. It’s the best place for it.

Disclosure: I hide all the cords for the TV inside the trim work. That makes everything ok. (Pinterest is BLOWING UP with my hidden cords idea, so thank you TV, for being above the mantel and giving me Pinterest Glory.)

Anyway, here’s what we’ve got, folks:

We are keeping it real here, people. Not only do we have a television above our fireplace, (front and center focal point for the main room in our house) but we ACTUALLY WATCH SHOWS ON IT. While taking pictures of the mantel for the blog. Because you don’t get much done with this little person nearby unless there is just a dash of Yo Gabba Gabba in the background. M’kay?

Can we talk about his “ear trick" in another post?” Lets do that.

Lights in vase. Genius.

Red stuff. Blue stuff. Yellow walls. Welcome to my Living Room. And my life.

This nativity is a compilation of two separate cheapo sets. Yes, we have two of most things. I like it that way. If a teenager drives by and decides it would be funny to steal the baby Jesus from my nativity scene, I will be the one laughing, because I had TWO in the first place! Jokes on you, fool.

This is my favorite painting of Christ. Because he is smiling. I like to think that he would smile and perhaps chuckle a lot when watching over us down here (and also weep with us at times). In this instance, perhaps he is laughing at the teenagers who stole the cheapo baby Jesus from my nativity and didn’t realize that I still have one left! … maybe.

Last year I “made” some “ornaments” to hang down from the top of the high shelf. I just threw stuff together from what I had and called it “good”. Here are some more:

There is no science here, folks. Just ugly stuff with bows on them.

See what I mean? A bouncy ball and a baby teething ring, wrapped in fabric and hung by string and twine. The end.

Let’s see it all together again, shall we?

I would classify my mantel as “whimsical” and “colorful” and “non-green” as in, I think I have decided that I hate most things evergreen. Weird. No pre-lit pine garland here! (But I LOVE it at your house).

I didn’t  buy anything to make this mantel vignette, friends. I shopped the house, which is surprisingly affordable!

I have so much more to tell you but this post is really long. See you tomorrow! {smooches!}

I am going to link this post to a few lovely places,
because that is what some bloggers do (I being one of them.)

24 Days of a Coastal Christmas

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