Deck the Halls Tuesday

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Christmas 2009 at Happy To Design

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Hello my friends! It's time to let the Christmas decorating begin!
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The Christmas decorating has just begun at my house! I love Christmas...it's my favorite holiday of the year!!! I just can't wait to dig into all my boxes and start decorating! Ohhh boy...there is sooo much...it's almost overwhelming! I mean...what to put where? Hehe!
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*Brand New Faux Fireplace

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*One of the things that I have been most excited about this year...as far as Christmas decorating goes...is being able to decorate my brand new faux fireplace mantel! I just finished the faux fireplace project this past month and I've just been "bitin' at the bit" to decorate it for Christmas! Hehe!

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A Christmas Mantel

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Ta Da!!! And...here it is! In all of its Christmasy glory!
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Creamy White and Gold Elegance

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As you can see...my living room is done in shades of olive green and deep reds with accents of gold. I really do love these deep, rich colors and they are very conducive for Christmas decor! Because of the deep shades of red and olive green...I thought it would be pretty to use a soft creamy white and gold for the Christmas decor in this room!
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A Christmas Mantel

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The mantel was my beginning point and primary focus for the living room!
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The "How To's" of Layering the Mantel's Decor.

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1. I placed a pine garland with white lights entertwined throughout the garland on top of the mantel allowing about 2 ft. to hang over each end.
2. Gold ribbon with flocked white trees was entertwined amongst the garland. I found this pretty ribbon for just a dollar at Dollar Tree.
3. Gold reindeer were placed at each end of the mantel. These pretty reindeer were 50% off at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago for $12 ea. Oooh...I just love the pretty filigree cut-work in the sides of the reindeer!!!
4. After placing the reindeer on the mantel...I decided it needed more so I "shopped" my house! Hehe! I found three chunky gold candleholders...and a decorative gold finial. I placed them behind the reindeer and it was just what it needed...lots of "layering" going on here!
5. For the centerpiece, I used a frenchy looking "Noel" sign that I purchased last year at Hobby Lobby's after Christmas sale...it was 90% off and only $4. It's a sizable piece standing 12 in. tall...just perfect for the mantel centerpiece!

6. Then I just scattered a myriad of gold ornaments throughout the Christmas mantel vignette.

7. Last but not least...I added a few creamy white poinsettias to the mix. The poinsettias brought in the creamy white that I had envisioned for the mantel vignette.
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And...Voila!!! An elegant gold and white mantle!
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A Christmas Mantel "All Aglow"!

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The next few photos are "night shots". This mantel really is soooo pretty at night with the Christmas lights that are entertwined throughout the garland turned on!
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I didn't have much success with getting good night photos. I'm not sure how that is done?
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Decorating the Hearth

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Honestly...I have changed the decor of the hearth several times...this is what I ended up with and I'm still "tweaking" it! Hehe!
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Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

You know...with all the fun of Christmas...the decorating, the gift exchanging, etc., the real reason for the season is Jesus!!! I love it all but I fear that our world has taken this momentous occasion...when we celebrate the birth of our dear Savior...and so commercialized it! My desire is to celebrate Jesus' birth and to bring Him glory in all that I do!!!

Do you see this very large, thick book (underneath the candles)? It is a very, very old family Bible that belonged to my husband's family! The first recordings of family births, baptisms, and deaths upon the old pages were made in the mid 1800's. This is truly a family heirloom...a treasure!!! I wanted to place it on the fireplace hearth...for Jesus is the reason that we celebrate Christmas in our home!!!
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On top of the old family Bible...I placed an old french table tray filled with gold and creamy white candles...a few little pearl berries can be seen twirling around the candles.
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My little french girl bust has also joined the hearth's decor...ahhh, so serene!

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I also added a couple of tall decorative iron candleholders with white pillar candles...to each side of the hearth. I just wrapped each pillar candle in a pretty creamy white Christmas ribbon...just letting a long length of ribbon hang down in front of the candleholders.
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Well my friends...there is still yet sooo much to do at my place! I guess I better get busy for Christmas will be here before we know it!

I'm really looking forward to Marty's Cloche Party this Friday...I'll be sharing a little more of my living room Christmas decor then. In the meantime, have a fabulous time decorating and enjoying this precious Christmas season!!! I'm so happy that you came by today!!! Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I'd love to visit with you!!!

I am joining up with Susan over at Thoughts From Over the Rainbow...for her "Deck the Halls Tuesday" party! You'll have to go and pay Susan a visit...she has some of the prettiest Christmas decor going on over at her place...you won't want to miss it!!! And...while you're there, you will find a list of all the other party participants! Thank you, Susan...for hosting "Deck the Halls Tuesday" for us...what a treat!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari