A Bevy Of Trees Christmas Mantel
Somehow I ended up with a bevy of trees on my Christmas mantel. I didn’t intend to do that. It just happened.
I started putting the trees up there, all kinds and of different sizes, and I just kept going.
And a bevy of trees was what I ended up with.
I decided I liked it.
I’m normally a bit OCD, so it’s kind of odd for me to be lackadaisical when arranging decor.
I can’t handle a crooked lampshade for heaven’s sake.
And I only had one set of lights, so the one strand I had didn’t cover much of my mantel
But I ordered a few more lights that I might add up there.
Can’t decide on that. What do you think?
Simplicity Is Sometimes Best:
I’ve learned that simplicity is sometimes best when it comes to decorating a long surface such as a mantel.
Sometimes Random Is Better:
Sometimes randomness is better than precision.
I put the tall trees in back.
Then I just sprinkled the other trees in, not really paying much attention to shape or size. Or how far apart they were in terms of spacing.
Some of the trees are rather wonky. But I think it gives them “character.”
Trees in a real forest aren’t perfect.
I had thought I’d add candles and maybe greenery in back. But somehow this simple mantel captured the mood I wanted.
I love nature. And a forest is a part of nature. Trees differ in composition and structure.
The Planting Of Trees In A Forest:
It could be that a squirrel dug a nut into the earth. And up sprang a tree. Or a bird dropped a seedling and it took off.
A forest is a complex ecological system in which a high density of trees are the dominant life-form.
The forest becomes a habitat for plants and animals.
Peg and I were just talking about how developers have extinguished the forests that creatures call home. How the trees in the forests are shelters for many animals, birds, and insects.
Clearing forests negatively impacts wildlife. Which results in the damage of the habitats where the animals reside.
Did you know that the world’s wildlife populations have declined by almost 70% in the last 50 years? Because their habitats have been polluted and cleared by humans.
Efforts to restore forests have often focused on trees.
But studies have found that animals play a key role in the recovery of tree species by carrying a wide variety of seeds into previously deforested areas.
Far Off Topic:
But of course I’ve gotten off topic. Far off topic. I know you’ve become accustomed to my doing that.
My thoughts tend to roam.
So back to the bevy of trees on my mantel.
Sometimes it turns out best when you don’t plan how things will look.
If you plan everything to the last detail it might end up looking contrived.
So my Christmas mantel is a bevy of trees that kind of resembles a forest. And I’m quite happy with how it accidentally turned out.
Oh my goodness I am crazy about your bevy of trees! So understated and yet drop dead gorgeous!
I love your mantel forest! I created a shelf vignette by cutting a used Christmas bunch with a variety of flowers & textures apart then weaving among objects I chose. I used some fox figurines & things on hand so it was both inexpensive & easy to assemble. Like your trees, a bit random but lovely overall. I voted for more lights! I added an extra strand outside my front door last night!
Happy Holidays! I’m off to bake oatmeal lace cookies!
Perfectly simple. Simply perfect.
I love bottle brush trees and I love the wood trees mixed in with them. Lovely Mantle! I wish I had a mantle because I would steal this look from you, lol. I love it.
Dawn P. Albany, GA
You could do it on a shelf or console table.
I think your mantle looks charming as you’ve done it! I wouldn’t add a thing.
Leave it as is. Looks great!
I like the mantel as is. The lights look like stars in the sky and I think if you added more it might change that feeling. I say, always listen to your first instincts.
Then there’s my answer. Thank you.
It’s lovely and it fits beautifully with your interest in using nature in your decorating!
Brenda, the mantle looks beautiful! I love the trees and the lights!
I like the trees.
I love this look! Very pretty. Funny thing is – it kind of resembles my mantel this year. I’ve done mine in trees (bottle brush, then some modern wood and glass trees) and Putz houses.
I’m sure it’s beautiful!
I think it looks perfect, just the way it is! I love it!
I love it!!
Your mantel has inspired me to add some miniature Christmas trees to my collection. I finally donated my old 7′ tree. It was too much to lug into the house and too dangerous to climb a step ladder to decorate. I now have a 4 footer, which holds a surprising amount of decorations. It looks great on my dining table.
I’m not putting up any tree other than what’s on the mantel.
WOW! Brenda, I think your mantel is gorgeous. I LOVE IT! I like Christmas lights on at night so my personal preference would be to add another string of twinkling fairy lights, but it looks beautiful just the way you have it right now. Starting around November I begin looking at Christmas decor/decorating/decorations on YouTube and I love decorating my mantel for Christmas. But it seems to me that as the years have gone by so many of the most popular channels on YouTube have devolved into creating extravagantly decorated mantels that are overflowing with garland, artificial flowers, picks, stems, lights of all different kinds and candles and – whew! Just overwhelming. This year I looked at a few YouTubers’ extravagant mantels and said to myself “Self, you’re not going there.” And I didn’t (not that I really ever did – too expensive and too exhausting). My mantel this year is simple but I think it’s pretty with not a garland, pick or stem in sight. I agree with you on how things can get to a point where they are just over-decorated and, frankly (I think) look ridiculously overdone. Ach! Thank you for letting me vent.
I agree. I’ll watch some decorators on YouTube who say they’re getting budget deals. But they don’t seem budget to me.
It is a perfect winter scene with just the right amount of lights. Enjoy your beautiful home.
Your mantel looks fantastic just the way it is. Your talents continue to amaze me and inspire me!!
I like it, plus just a few twinkly lights look like star shine. I love random and not contrived spaces! Marilyn
Then I won’t add more.
Just right the way it is. I love the mix.
Love the natural world also – Sir David Attenborough is my hero-his documentaries are amazing. Check them out if you have missed them. The camera work is incredible and his depth of love and wisdom of Nature is wonderful.
It’s time for all of us to stop buying “stuff”. Learn to use what we have and use the time and money saved to do some good.
Oh that is so pretty. The mix of bottle brush and wooden trees is wonderful 🎄🌲🎄
Looks really good, Brenda. I don’t have a mantle, but I do have a shelf I can decorate, for the trees and a few little Santas. I have the old-time brush trees too, will get them out from the closet today. I didn’t know what to do with them, till I saw your mantle arrangement. Thanks for your ideas. Have a Nice day, Hugs from WI.
I love it! I’m wondering where you got the ceramic houses. I see them online, but never sure of the quality. Yours look so nice.
One I ordered from Target last year. It was $5. The other two I ordered from Walmart this year. They were a little higher. They are a good quality.
Thanks, I’ll look there.
It looks GREAT!!
Love the forest with the little houses tucked in there. So cute.
Very cute, I love bottle brush trees, and also have a collection…the wood trees in the back add a bit of weight to a lovely, simple mantle….