Do you ever story tell with your decorating?
Let’s get into that in a big way in a moment. But first…
Today is soooo exciting!
This post is part of a MASSIVE Christmas blog hop, hosted by Hometalk.com (find my work on HT HERE) and CountryLiving.com where home and garden bloggers from all over are sharing their brand new Christmas decorating ideas!
The big, beautiful HUGE blog hop is located at the bottom of this post. I truly hope you pay them a visit and generously share their projects!
But first up, here’s mine… with a story.
Santa’s Picnic By The Campfire: A Christmas Mantel
One blustery day, Santa (me…) was gravely concerned. The wind was howling through his forest. He was in the middle of a blog post very large toy order without a battery backup plan. So he quickly hit save, and went in search of the candles, just in case.
Then in the blink of a reindeer eye, the lights went out.
Grabbing his coat, he head outdoors to check on the safety of the roof reindeer. Banging and clattering surrounded him… it was a dangerous time to be outdoors. Ensuring the herd was secured and safe, he head indoors, when he heard a massive CRACK.
A gorgeous blue spruce gave way to the great storm, and tumbled down, splintering into many pieces.
Santa’s first thought was that this was a terrible tragedy… and reasoned, he’d pay tribute in some way to his beloved tree the moment it was safe to do so.
The next day, the winds lifted. Santa summoned the elves to bundle up good and warm, grab their clippers and head towards the tree. For they would use the greens to decorate the North Pole Square for the entire neighbourhood!
Unfortunately, by the time they made it out to the great tree fall, most of it was gone! Where in the world…
Ah… yes.. the city crew North Pole gardeners had no reason to speculate Santa’s big plans. He just wasn’t quick enough. Drat.
He walked over to where the tree had fallen… when he noted the gardners were not quite as diligent as they intended.
Heart leaping with renewed hope, Santa and the crew gathered up the remnants, and made their way into the North Pole square to do what they could.
As the branches were hung, and bright red ribbons strung, new wonders of Christmas transpired that very day. The surviving tree branches brought in the spirit of renewed hope and triumph over troubled times, making coffee egg nog out of coffee beans eggs.
Christmas shall transpire!
And then the snow began to fall.
After the great decorate, it was time to rest up for some coffee of Santa’s finest brew.
Grabbing his own branded coke, (how savvy was he?) he set it out picnic style for the crew.
And much like we leave out milk and cookies for Santa, he left a coffee for me. ME! Funky Junk Donna me! With real cream!
So touched… so touched. How did he know?
Right… Santa always knows.
“Gather around my friends, the winds may be blustery, but my coffee is getting cold the fire is cozy… let’s enjoy the fruits of our labour, in grand Christmas style and celebrate our efforts with a picnic by the campfire!”
Santa propped up his sleigh into a nearby snowdrift, and… broke coke. 🙂
Plenty of firewood kept the flames dancing at their highest, for many hours into the evening.
The elves even broke out the marshmallows, and had an Elf styled candy feast!
As day grew to dusk, the illuminating red lanterns (affiliate link) glowed into the evening night.
(Tip: place white mini lights behind glass for a ‘safe’ candlelight effect)
With the reindeer snuggled in for the night, the evening ended perfectly, and they were now all set for Christmas!
And thank goodness, the wifi did eventually return…
…even though it was the next day.
Ouch.
Because ya just gotta believe… 🙂
– – – – –
Tutorial:
Truth be told, I created the fireplace around the Sleigh Rides sign. Once the theme was set, the appropriate props were simply set into place. The evergreen branches were placed inside a bucket of water hidden in the milk pail.
When I showed the mantel to Miriam of Hometalk, she immediately felt it looked like Santa’s Campfire… hence… the story grew a little more wild by the minute. 😉
But I do revolve a story around theme decorating for certain. Learn how I do it on a Periscope broadcast HERE!
Thanks for your visit! And may every fallen tree in your life turn into days of wondrous joy for you and yours this holiday season!
Plus… we have wifi!
– – – – –
Sources:
Sleigh Rides sign – tutorial HERE
Sleigh Rides stencil – shop HERE
Wooden snowflake – gifted and tutorial by My Altered State HERE
Fireplace – tutorial HERE.
All other finds are thrifted.
– – – – –
Here’s a couple of other Christmas mantels you may also enjoy… 
Deer head and forest mantel
Illuminated windows in a snowy cabin Christmas mantel
and a how to on the Sleigh Rides sign HERE. (made with Funky Junk’s Old Sign Stencils) And now…. feast your eyes on all these amazing brand new Christmas projects! Watch for #homeforchristmas – click on various social medias to capture them all! Enjoy! Note: All links will be added by Monday AM, so please visit again to see them all!
Ok- this mantel is SO covet-worthy…the entire scene is, really!! Thank you for the #HomeforChristmas opportunity!!
Well, there’s really nothing like a Christmas (decorating) story, now is there? Especially when it has a happy ending…and such a beautiful one to boot!
Super fun complete with a great bedtime story. Love the entire post! Thanks for organizing the blog hop. There are so many wonderful posts already!
I always love your mantels, Donna, no matter what season, and I love this one too – pinned it!
~Angie
Such a cute story! I love the mantel too!
So, so adorable. I want to have a picnic with you and Santa!
I love the story behind all your greenery! I can’t believe the city cleaned it up so quickly – so glad they missed some. I love your fireplace and mantel – your sleigh ride sign makes it perfect!
Oh Donna, this is just the cutest and DIY project! I love that rustic sleigh ride side. Pinning this!
I would love to picnic there! What a perfect set-up!!!
So cool. I love everything!!! Wait..I should say it’s so hot! Your fireplace is gorgeous. Thank you, Donna, for all of your hard work for this wonderfully huge and friendly Christmas blog hop!!
Your mantel is amazing, love everything!
You sure know how to style a mantel and tell a story. Junk never looked as good as it does in your hands! ;o)
Love your post Donna and your mantel looks awesome (beautiful mantels always tug at my heartstrings since I, sadly, do not have one). Thanks for all of your hard work putting the hop together.
There is a children’s book in your story. An award winner for sure.
Oh how cozy and beautiful… love the story with it 😉 The mantel is amazing. Thanks so much Donna for this great Blog Hop opportunity, I so appreciate it, it’s my first time doing something this huge and I was so nervous! I’m so happy that I got the chance! Happy Holiday season!!!
I love the Christmas mantels and the story, too. 🙂
I am sitting here next to MY Christmas mantel. Ok, so, for those who do not know, mine is 13 feet and not a “real” mantel (cuz there is no fireplace). I am loving my first Christmas with my newly made mantel. I jammed it FULL of my fave things…stuff I collected over the last 2 years JUST for this occasion! My daughter calls it “the mantel of overload”. hahaha It is year one of a very LONG awaited mantel. I can “overload” it if I want to. 🙂 (I have my own version of “It’s my party, I can cry if I want to” playing in my head right now. LOL!)
Back story…for those who did not read my “mirror disaster”. Mirror #1 was made wrong. The glass was way too heavy for the cheaply made metal frame. We put it up, went to church, came back….mirror everywhere. The frame BROKE at the joints, and the mirror slid out. EEK!
Here’s my funny Monday story …..
My “sidekick” (15 y/o daughter) was with my mother Sunday afternoon. I had told my mom about how I jammed packed the mantel and how my kid was poo-pooing my overloaded mantel. So, my mom said to her, “So, your mom has a ton on that mantel, I hear. I hope it doesn’t fall down like the mirror.” And she laughed. My daughter told me the story then said, “Nan is really funny.”
hahaha Funny lady. I see my dad and his quick wit has rubbed off on her (like it did us kids. LOL) Has she forgotten how I build? She knows I could lay up on that mantel at 150 lbs and it would not budge. I used 6-10″x 10″ heavy duty metal corner braces drilled into the studs (each covered up by a nice scroll pattern porch corner bracket). That thing is going NOWHERE! Except if we ever move….then I will be taking it down and packing it up WITH us! LOL 🙂
Happy Monday everybody! JAM UP those mantels with all your fave holiday stuff if ya wanna!!! LOL
Donna,
I love your Santa’s picnic mantle!!! You have inspired me to try making my own. I pretty much do the same each year but yours is such a WOW! The story is perfect.
Carol b
I must admit that this years mantel is my favorite that you’ve done yet! But, I love everything you do. I’m a bit behind on decorating due to some remodeling messes!
Donna,
You always have the pretties and lovely decoration. Do you still have your Christmas tree latter? That one was pretty awesome.
Santa…you have been busy! LOVE your mantel decor and picnic by the fire. So very festive and creative! Thank you so much for all of your hard work putting this hop together…we greatly appreciate it – and you! Merry Christmas!
Donna,…all your holiday decorations show your unique style that I’ve always admired. I especially like the Coca-cola box and the fresh greenery!
Love it! And since Coke used Santa in their ads for years, it’s cute to have the coke and crate there, too.
ADORABLE!! I love your stories and awesome decorating…always inspiring!! Laurel
This is ADORABLE. Thank you for sharing your story and for hosting this hop. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Donna, thank you so much for all you and Hometalk do for the blogging community. This is so much fun to share all the creative ideas with our followers. I love reading your projects and stories. Glad Santa left you a perfect cups of coffee!
Santa sure had a busy evening. The mantel is gorgeous and Coca Cola should pay you for all the free business you’re giving them. Thanks for the inspiration and the how to. Have a very Merry Christmas !
Absolutely love it…. ALL. I need your eye for decor and your stencils in my life! Seriously!! Beautiful!
Hi Donna – I think I visited at least 50 blogs on the home tour today and I saved yours for last as the finale. WOW. You totally outdid yourself. I love the story, and so glad that you could incorporate the fallen tree into your decor. Your vignette is beautiful! #HomeForChristmas Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season! Hugs, Holly
Donna, what a great story! 🙂 I love each one of your mantles, and I’m totally obsessed with the sleigh rides sign!
Wow Donna!!!! Not only stunning, I love every detail! But that story, so entertaining! Thank-you so much for organizing this wonderful hop, it’s been so fun! xoxoox
Donna, I recognized that fireplace before opening the link and knew your post would be filled with vintage junky goodness, and you did not disappoint. I’ll enjoy a bottle of coca-cola anytime from that gorgeous vintage crate. Loved the story – love the cozy holiday vignette!
Thanks so much for organizing this HUGE blog hop! I can’t believe the talent being shared in here. So much fun to follow. Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas!
Donna, I love your story and your mantle! So cute! We have lots of old trees and over the years we’ve had a few fall! Thank you for all our work on this great event!
So charming Donna! I love your setup… and your story 🙂
Yes I do tell a story from time to time when I blog, sometimes even when I comment, and even broke coke from time to time. Is that like what happened to the tree, you know broke wind? And my mantel looks blah. Could be because I know there is currently a mouse trap under the greens. Guess we brought him home with the tree.
I love your mantel..so many cool details!
I could camp out in front of your Santa scene all season long! Thank you so much for all of your hard work for the #HomeForChristmas tour, Donna, I’m amazed by all of the creativity.