how can i make my mantelpiece look xmassy without a garland?

[SantaIAmSoFuckingRock]

i've bought a tree and decorations for it. i have some spare baubles and snowflakes, and lights but no garland or xmas ornaments. the mantelpiece looks bare. how can i make it look festive without spending anymore money?

oh yes! i have an evergreen (is that the right name? looks like a xmas tree) out the front so can snip some bits off that and i'll take ds2 out tomorrow and gather some pine cones and whatever else we can find. i have loads of candles so can do that too. thank you!

I load my fireplace with greenery every year. I find holly best if you can get it. Twist a few fairy lights through it and it looks grand. I also add candles and sprays of red artificial berries that I add in for some colour. Bet baubles would do the job though, artfully arranged.

Word of caution though - don't do it yet. It's one of my last jobs to do before Christmas - if you do it now it will be seriously lacklustre by Christmas itself.

ooh, thanks for that tip dewdrop! i was going to do it tomorrow!. maybe i'll do lights and baubles and candles tomorrow and get the greenery closer to xmas.

Last year I used 6 glass ramekins (thanks to Gu puddings) and wrapped them in gold ribbon then put a tea light in each one, very cheap and Christmassy looking

I saw a fabulous arrangement recently. It was greenery with some dried out hydrangea heads sprayed with a dusting of gold dotted in.

i do have snow spray. would it look ok on pine cones and greenery or just naff?

There are some great ideas on Pinterest that often link to the blogs of some very creative people.

firstladyofthehouse.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/christmas-mantle.html

A lot of them are American and sometimes over the top but I'm sure you could adapt some of the ideas with items you already have e.g. putting baubles in big glass vases or using greenery.

thanks for that link willitbe some great ideas there. i'm going to have a play around with what i've got.

Ivy flower heads are good. Also long trailing ivy. Dry orange slices in the oven, ( slice thinly, leave in oven on low for about 3 hours). Pine cones. Be careful of lit candles with drying greenery though ( conifer, etc)

thanks cat. hadn't thought of orange slices.

Holly lasts for quite a long time and you can refresh any ivy you find. You can probably find some berries too out and about.

That with some orange slices or oranges studded with cloves would be lovely!

I wouldn't do the snow spray personally.

You could also hang baubles from the mantel and of course your stockings!

thanks flour. good to know about the holly.

If you have spare baubles, they can look nice in a glass bowl/vase. Can mix it up with pinecombs or other things.