Christmas Mantel 2012

Hello Everyone! Oh boy, have I seen some gorgeous Christmas decorations this season.  Totally inspiring and I have been trying to get things done so I could join in some of the share parties :). Our family room is finally done but am still tweaking the decorations on the antique mantel in the living room.  But since I want to get in on the party fun, I can at least share the decorations that are finished :)  I incorporated some thrift finds too!  So, here is the family room:

Thrifted decorations are as follows:  beautiful Ponderosa pinecone garland on the mantel (complete with pine cones!), mirror, metal snowflake, birch logs and claw-foot holder, and the set of clear glass candle holders in the middle of the mantel holding the green ornaments.  The tall "bubble" candlesticks came from Ross and the glass ones on each end of the mantel came from Kohl's a couple years ago.  Hobby Lobby had a kick butt sale on Christmas stuff too so I bought the three silver ornament holders and snowflake ornaments.

The slim 9ft prelit Christmas tree came from WalMart -- it was the only thing we went out for on black Friday.  Good ol' Wally world came through with an awesome deal - $158.

The candles are flameless and can be turned on/off with a REMOTE --what!?  Yup, flameless remote-control candles!  TARGET has this nifty set and at an affordable price (Grandin Road has some too but they are outside my price range!).

Knit stockings!  With monograms :)  Awesome.  Pottery Barn has knit stockings this season but at $39.50 each plus $7 for monogramming, Target's version is perfect for $13.  *LOVE* them.  Look at that texture...

Here's a closer look at the thrifted mirror.  This is another one of those finds that without any idea where it would be used, I couldn't leave it behind.  It was the silver and gold frame :) It came from GW ($3) and the glittered metal snowflake came from the GW outlet:

The ceramic reindeer came from Michael's last year.  The bucket is from last year too but I added the lighted winterberry branches (Target also) this year.

The sleigh on the coffee table was a GW outlet find.  The cast iron reindeer is old and broken but I adore it.  He looks at home teamed up with the metal sleigh, which is holding a haul of the ornaments I decorated with this year.

And one more really fun thrift find at the outlet --the "Mr. Christmas" carousel under the tree:

It's so cute!  There is one little light out above the black stallion (I think it can be fixed); other than that, it works great!  It plays over 20 Christmas songs and each little carousel animal moves up and down and the lights flash to the music.  It's from the early 90s.  At 59 cents a pound, this didn't cost more than $2.
 Here, you can watch it work:

I'm linking up!

Cap Creations, Thrifty Love
The Lettered Cottage, Christmas Mantel Decorations
Kathe With An E, Your Gonna Love it Tuesday
From My Front Porch to Yours, Second Annual Holiday Mantel Party
Elizabeth & Co, Be Inspired Features and Linky Party

Have a great week!