A Bevy Of Trees Christmas Mantel
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If you don’t want to put up a large tree for Christmas, you could add a bevy of small trees, as I did on my fireplace mantel.
I started adding a few bottle brush and wooden trees, and for some reason I just decided to keep going. Adding a bottle brush tree here, a wooden tree there, until I’d filled the long wooden mantel.
I ended up with a bevy of trees, with no planning involved. And that was enough to satisfy my desire to decorate the holiday mantel. Sometimes less is more.
I’m usually a bit OCD, so it’s odd for me to be lackadaisical when arranging decor. I can’t handle a crooked lampshade, for instance.
The only strand of lights I had didn’t cover much of the mantel, so I ordered a few more to add.
Sometimes Random Is Better:
Sometimes randomness is better than precision. I’ve learned that simplicity is sometimes best when decorating a long surface, such as a mantel.
I put the tall trees in the back of my bevy-of-trees Christmas mantel scenario. Then I sprinkled in the other trees, not really paying much attention to shape, size, or how far apart they were.
This gave the look of a real forest, where nothing is exact or planned.
Some of the trees are rather wonky. But I think it gives them “character.” Trees in a real forest aren’t perfect. They’re often wonky, too— misshapen, uneven, and leaning to one side. They all differ in composition and structure.
I considered adding candles and maybe greenery in the back. But somehow this simple mantel captured the simple look I desired.
I love nature, and a forest is a part of nature. So my bevy of trees resembles a forest lit up by tiny stars.
The Planting Of Trees In A Forest:
Maybe a squirrel buried a nut in the earth. And up sprang a tree. Or a bird dropped a seedling, and it found its way to germination.
A forest is a complex ecological system characterized by a high tree density. The forest becomes a habitat for plants and animals that occur naturally. Indigenous trees grow naturally; they don’t need human planting or intervention.
A forest features a diverse mix of native species well adapted to the local climate and soil, supporting local biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance.
Life within the forest is driven by instinct and the natural order of things that unfold in the universe.
Nature is What Occurs Naturally:
I didn’t know I’d grow up to cherish nature this much, and find my spirituality there, among the trees, plants, and wild animals.
Unfortunately, in the real forest, developers have destroyed the forests that creatures call home. The very forests that provide shelter for many animals, birds, and insects. This damages the habitats where animals live.
Did you know that the world’s wildlife populations have declined by almost 70% in the last 50 years? This is because humans have polluted and cleared their habitats. We have interfered in “the natural order of things.”
Efforts to restore forests have often focused on trees. But studies have found that animals play a key role in recovering tree species by carrying a wide variety of seeds into previously deforested areas.
I thought about this as I arranged my bevy of trees on my white mantel. This continual deforestation of these wild areas, home to many creatures, is very sad.
A Bevy of Trees Christmas Mantel:
The older I get, the more my thoughts tend to take an unexpected stroll. So, back to the bevy of trees on my mantel.
Sometimes it turns out best when you don’t plan how things will ultimately look. If you plan everything to the last detail, your decorating might end up looking too contrived and less natural.
There is really no need to decorate a larger Christmas tree for my apartment. My mantel decorated is just what I didn’t know I wanted!
So my Christmas mantel is a bevy of trees that resembles a forest. And I’m pretty happy with how it accidentally turned out. In the bigger scheme of things, it fit my needs perfectly.
I can sit and gaze at my white newly decorated fireplace mantel and see the twinkling lights amid all the green trees in my small forest.
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….