Last week on my regular Monday morning Walmart run, I veered off of my usual course (does everyone else make their grocery list according to the store layout or did I just admit how very OCD I am?) and headed over to the Christmas section where I was promptly introduced to the newest Walmart greeter.
A life-size Santa was dancing and singing and just generally being his jolly ol’ self. His belly shook like a bowl full of jelly as he wiggled and sang songs and told stories of sugarplums dancing in children’s heads.
The only things was, he was loud…really, really, really loud. And the longer he danced and shouted sang, the less jolly he seemed to me. The sound was so deafening that I couldn’t even concentrate on my shopping. Suddenly, I was struck by a feeling so un-Christmasy, so opposite of the Christmas ‘spirit’ that it shocked me.
I kinda wanted to punch Santa!
This deep urge took me so completely by surprise and I felt conflicted. On the one hand, I LOVE Christmas and yet on the other hand I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
So far, wanting to punch the dancing Santa has been the only drawback I’ve found to kicking off the Christmas season a tad on the early side. 😉
And on Saturday, when I admitted just how early I was starting to decorate my home and gave you a sneak peek at my Christmas mantel, I may have failed to mention that I had already decorated my other mantel too. In fact, once that Christmas ball is rolling there is just no way to stop it. Although my house was suffering from seasonal schizophrenia for a few days as the reindeer and pumpkins tried unsucessfully to peacefully co-exist.
But now, Christmas has wound it’s way through my home.
This year though, it has come in with less of a woosh and a bang and more of a whisper instead.
Soft and wintery and easy.
Think more angels gently singing and less Santas dancing.
I returned to Walmart this week and noticed that Santa was no longer dancing and singing. Frankly, he seemed more dignified simply standing there welcoming one and all to the Christmas section.
And, I might have just been imagining things, but I’m pretty sure he winked at me.
I think he was relieved that I no longer wanted to punch him.
And so was I! 😉
I’m so thrilled to be joining a bunch of other ladies who are crazy like me and start decorating our homes for Christmas freakishly early.
Here are my fellow Wednesday mantels:
And you can start from the beginning here:
Monday
At Home with The Barkers
Daisy Mae Belle
All Things Heart and Home
The Wood Grain Cottage
Stone Gable
On Sutton Place
TUESDAY:
Cherished Bliss
Domestically Speaking
Lilacs and Longhorns
Two Thirty Five Designs
The Happier Homemaker
My Soulful Home
Thanks for meeting me at the Fence today!
This post is partying here:
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32 Comments on "French Country Christmas Mantel"
Yep, my tree and all the trimmings when up on the weekend. It’s unavoidable when all the shops put theirs out in October! And just think, another thing we can cross off our lists and just enjoy. 🙂 Julie
Love your mantel! It’s never too early for Christmas 😉 Have a great day!
Debbie
So funny…I’ve passed that Santa a time or two as I “swing” by the Christmas section. Beautiful understated elegance for your mantel. Love it! ~Sonya
So pretty!
Love the mantel, so pretty with double mirrors. And those chairs!! yum!!
Such a beautiful mantel,sans Santa! I especially love the layered mirrors and the simple garland!
just wait. i think heather is wrapping ole jolly santa for you for christmas! i love the whisper of the season too!
Love your soft winter mantel with the angels and the garland!! Pinning!
Your mantle is beautiful and its calming affect will help in this frantic season. I hope so. Getting weary at this time of year gives me the bah-humbug feeling more than I like to admit.
And no, you aren’t alone in your orderly shopping. When my husband retired he made a document on the computer for our grocery list, aisle by aisle. We just print it out each time. Yes, he is a little OCD but loves to grocery shop. I said “take it over! I’ve done it long enough!” LOL
Beautiful and so elegant! So much better than dancing Santas! 🙂 Thanks so much for being a part of the tour! Merry Christmas! Melissa
STUNNING. I love your angels, they are gorgeous and your mantel is beautiful.
Beautiful Vanessa…I love the wispy garland….and the theme is perfection!
Great funny blog! Wonderful pictures! Thanks!!!
Thanks for the laugh this morning, Vanessa! So glad you resisted the urge to punch Santa! lol
I LOVE your mantle. It is absolutely perfect. I love the garland, the angels, the mirrors…it’s all beautiful! 🙂 Have a wonderful day!
Really beaUtiful Vanessa!
Catherine
I absolutely love your mantle Vanessa…the angels and the sweet garland are just perfect…I’m so glad you didn’t add a singing Santa 🙂 xo
I love the simplicity of your mantel. I scaled back on decorations about six years ago.iIf you don’t mind, I think I will copy your mantel this year. I believe there is little chance of anyone noticing, since we live so far part, different countries even.
Is that two mirrors, or a frame on top of a large mirror? In either case, I like it.
Vanessa I love the simplicity of your mantel…it looks beautiful! I love the garland and those pretty angels!
Love your soft, whispery mantel! I’m glad you were able to refrain from punching Santa. . . is that Christmas miracle? 🙂
LOVE the delicate garland on your mantel!! It’s all so pretty!
Absolutely beautiful Vanessa! Like everyone else I LOVE that garland! 🙂
Just beautiful Vanessa… love that swag of greenery. I always love being on tour with you guys… Pinned! 🙂
I love how simple, yet elegant and beautiful it is. You always have such beautiful mantles!
Anna 🙂
That is such a beautiful mantle! I love how natural it looks! Neutrals are my jam 🙂
Love it all Vanessa! Funny story too… those Salvation Army bells get me and i do feel badly, but they r sooo loud!
Your Christmas mantel is beautiful! I love the greenery.
Vanessa, I laughed so hard!!! I can just imagine you hauling back and giving that Santa a big punch in the gut. And then all the Walmart security… and handcuffs … and scuffling… and the police car ride to the station! So funny!!!!
Your mantel is beautiful and classic and serene… just like you!I’m glad you made your peace with the singing Santa!
Beautiful!! I think the garland is stunning…would you be able to share your source? Or is it fresh?? I love everything about it. 🙂
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for your sweet comment(s). 🙂 The garland isn’t fresh but I’m glad it looks that way since that was the goal! lol I bought it at Craft Warehouse. You are local here in Oregon right??
Oooops…I forgot to mention how much I enjoy your refreshing blog.
THANK you so much!! You have an amazing memory. Yes, I’m an Oregon girl. I’m hoping the Gresham store has them. ;)) Have a marvelous monday morning. Xo
I also felt so “unChristmasy” when I went shopping on Black Friday. I’m glad to see other examples to put me back in the Christmas spirit. Thanks