Simple and Traditional Christmas Mantel

Many years ago, as my husband and I sat on the couch on a December evening flipping through the channels on the TV, we stumbled across the tail end of the Rick Steve’s European Christmas Special on PBS. We were immediately captivated and in those few minutes we felt like we were transported into another world. As soon as it was over I got online and ordered the DVD so that we could share it with our kids.

Watching it with them, not only did I just find it so fascinating learning about how Christmas is celebrated in various communities throughout Europe, I was also struck by something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on but that I knew spoke to my soul.

And, over the years, as we’ve watched it again and again, I finally realized just what it was that so captivated me.

Every single home was decorated so very simply, mostly with natural elements, and yet still so perfectly captured the spirit of Christmas.

And I wondered if maybe I’ve been doing it all wrong. You see, for several years now I’ve felt as though I was supposed to have loads of fresh and new and exciting and really, REALLY Christmas-y decor to share with you.

Or I’ve felt like I needed to have themed trees and a neutral, farmhouse-y look in order to fit in with the blogosphere.

But I think, deep down in my heart, I knew it wasn’t really ‘me’. What I wanted was something more simple, more traditional. Touches of the season throughout the house without it looking like Christmas exploded everywhere.

I didn’t want it to look ‘staged’ or like it came straight out of a catalog.

I wanted it to look real and warm and like we actually live here.

So, I didn’t pull out all of my plastic bins of holiday decor. In fact, I sold off two Christmas trees and other decor and donated bags and bags to the rescue mission.

And I’ve resisted buying any more ‘Christmas’ stuff as I’ve been out shopping.

Instead, I’ve focused on simply enhancing what is in each room all year round. No more clearing off entire surfaces so that I can replace every, single thing with something Christmas-y.

No more stressing about whether or not my decorations will be pin-worthy.

No more trying to have me and my home be something we’re not.

This year it was all about intentionally going into this season with less so that I can enjoy it more. 

So, here’s what you can expect from me this year.

You can expect to see paper angel ornaments and family treasures.

You can expect ideas for meaningful traditions and homemade gifts.

And you can expect me to talk a lot about how to have more peace in your heart and your home. 

I’m so thrilled to be joining some of my most favorite bloggers today for the Home for the Holidays tour! Not only will you find so many fantastic ideas to help you kick off the season but we have an AMAZING giveaway for you!

Monday

Maison de Cinq * My Soulful Home * French Garden House * Savvy Southern Style

Tuesday

Cynthia Weber Designs

So Much Better with Age

At the Picket Fence

Wednesday

Becky’s Farmhouse * Cedar Hill Farmhouse * Love of Home

Thursday

Little Farmstead * The How To Home * Our Southern Home * Celebrating Everyday Life

Friday

Housepitality Designs * UnSkinny Boppy * Stone Gable * Starfish Cottage Blog