Rustic Christmas Mantel

Here's a peak at my Christmas mantel montage this year:I'm going with a rustic theme in this house. The fireplace kind of calls for that, doncha think?
I have to highlight my woodland St. Nicholas for you:He is the creation of the MOST talented artist I know, Darlene Bushmaker, my high school art teacher. She paints wildlife and nature scenes like you wouldn't believe. Actually, she can paint anything and it'll knock your socks off, but in her retirement got into doing these Santa figures. I just adore his plaid jacket and the hat with the ear flaps!

So, back to my mantle. The Nester's doing a garland extravaganza show and tell ... and I really don't do big garland, but I wanted to encourage others like me who have NO time to do a fancy shmansy garland ... that sometimes simple is OK, right? .... right? Maybe? (note: After a little shopping, I fill in this display with several small wrapped packages.)

I also want to point out I used DaySpring's "Jesus is the Gift" ribbon again to decorate my little tree. This time I used the 3" wide kind. Easy peasy and has a message, too! More IDEA posts coming up!!