I decided to change up the mantel quite a bit from the last several years. After growing tired of my very fake greenery & being too scared I would catch the house on fire with the real stuff, I decided to forego greenery all together.
![Christmas Mantel Christmas Mantel](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IBZn8OgQCaI/UqYjhIgHWQI/AAAAAAAAEOA/UjsiOYQecds/IMG_8173_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Two real pink poinsettias flank the mantel.
![Pink Poinsettia Pink Poinsettia](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YkGkr91iZOE/UqYjiddO8uI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/7x0WThGIq9g/IMG_8177_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
The space between them is filled with blue, gold, & silver ornaments & a string of clear Christmas lights with a white cord.
![Christmas Mantle Christmas Mantle](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L1pYNB-yUFo/UqYjj-pQCYI/AAAAAAAAEOc/t6xfve8ye6I/IMG_8175_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I also hung ornaments on ribbon at various heights along the front of the mantel.
![Ornaments Hanging from Mantel Ornaments Hanging from Mantel](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x35g9RO4bR8/UqYjlOcgKHI/AAAAAAAAEOs/zwj7599YU3o/IMG_8176_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![Ornament Cluster on Mirror Ornament Cluster on Mirror](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OflAPRRGFRI/UqYjmdb9c6I/AAAAAAAAEO8/YrHx5XC8O6U/IMG_8178_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
A cluster of blue, gold, & silver ball ornaments hangs from the mirror.
![Ornament Cluster Ornament Cluster](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LeHFvtYY4Qo/UqYjnuZ6kuI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/15zbE2efd68/IMG_8174_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Here’s how that section of the family room is looking this year.
![IMG_8180 IMG_8180](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jZYKvZ3uXHQ/UqYjpR-X-GI/AAAAAAAAEPg/k4uWRXMW720/IMG_8180_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Since the fire is nice & warm now, I think I’ll go grab a glass of tea & enjoy myself before the kids get home!