Coastal-Inspired Christmas Mantel

Our family woke up to a dusting of snow this morning. The department stores are all decked out for the holidays. My Pinterest feed is full of decorating inspiration for Christmas.  My daughters are selecting their latest wants from TV commercials to add to Santa’s list.

Christmas is coming and I have the decorating itch! So, I thought I would share how I displayed the Chalk Paint Coastal Tree on the mantel. A sneak peek of what is to come for Christmas 2014.

Our home is filled with beach treasures-driftwood, sea gull feather, shells, and sand. Spending time at the beach is one of our favorite activities when we can get away. This was the inspiration for decorating our Christmas mantel.

It wouldn’t be Christmas if there wasn’t a bit of sparkle. Small sea shells act as stoppers on the vintage glass bottles.

Mercury glass trees and silver candlesticks are placed on the mantel for shimmer and shine.

 

 

 

Our family found so much beach glass on the Lake Michigan shoreline this summer. It was an unexpected surprise! We must have spent a good 2 hours just searching for treasures. I love how each piece is unique-how water and sand can smooth those rough edges-turn the ordinary glass bottle into little gems.

 

 

For our family, Christmas is about celebrating life, sharing distinctive memories about the past year, and decorating with pieces that have noteworthy value. Such as, treasures found on the shoreline together.  Every time we hang our chalk paint tree above the mantel,  it reminds our family of the fun time at the beach together. The girls share their favorite memory of that day and this becomes tradition.

What traditions do you share in your family? How do you decorate your Christmas mantel?

If you would like to make your own coastal inspired chalk paint tree you can find the tutorial here.