Ready to get your fireplace mantle for the holidays? Regardless of what holidays you celebrate there is nothing like a gorgeous fireplace mantle, am I right? Today’s DIY Saturday we give you some creative ideas to decorate your holiday mantle by adding color, sparkle and light to your holiday mantle. Watch a video from designer/blogger Eddie Ross on how to take simple details and make a great looking holiday focal point. Then see our ideas to inspire you to decorate your own!

Image via: Traditional Home

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Video – How to Decorate your Holiday Mantle

Link to video –> How to Decorate your Holiday Mantle

The fireplace is a main focal point within a home.  So why try to do the ordinary with it during the holidays?  Think about it.  The fireplace is where we roast marsh mallows, hang our stockings, lay the garland and add warmth to the home during the season.  During this holiday season, let’s try some new ways to make the fireplace in your home stand out for all to adore.

How to Decorate your Holiday Mantle

A Well-lit Top

Image via:  Trendy Tree

Give your fireplace some light on the top to go along with the light on the bottom.  Stack some decorative candles on the mantle of your fireplace.  Soft cream, pale yellow, hunter green and red candles are great for bringing in the holiday spirit.  For a more interesting and elegant affect put the candles in glass cylinders then set some holiday flowers such as garland or poinsettias next to the glasses.  Your family and guest will love how warm and inviting your fireplace will look!

Decorate your unused fireplace

Ever thought if you don’t use your fireplace what should you do?  Well filling the mouth of your fireplace can help it to become décor within the space.  First clean out the mouth of your fireplace then take some rough pieces of wood, framed photos of the family, poinsettias, candles etc. and place them inside.  That way you have found a use for your fireplace that will help to display your holiday spirit.

Image via: Pinterest-Tina Alikakos Hall

Brighten your mantle with sparkle

The mantle is an important part for the fireplace during the holidays and if you are not opting for the stockings this year here are so other ways to make it merrier.  Drape fabric over the mantle, it will give the room and fireplace more texture and add color to the space.  Decorative mirrors, holiday vases and ceramics will definitely be winners for the fireplace décor.  By putting in these accents you add variety and force everyone to take a second look.

Image via:  Design Lines LTD

Hang them High

How about a classic?  Hanging letters over the fireplace to help summon the holiday cheer.  Pick some of your favorite quotes or phrases from beloved Christmas movies, books, or songs.  Quotes like, “DECK THE HALLS” “MERRY CHRISTMAS” or “PEACE” are popular ideas.  It can be as humorous or as heartfelt as you would like for it to be.  The choice is yours.

Image via: Blog- The Find

Fireplaces are one of the key areas we hit when putting up décor for the holidays.  This year instead of just going with the status quo make the decor unique and your own.  So take a look at the list above and see what other ideas you can come up with that will make your fireplace the holiday special!

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

The holiday season is almost upon us and what better way to show your love for it than by decorating your outdoors? While most people tend to focus on the indoors, they forget how to decorate your outdoor home is just as important. A home decorated for the cold season looks warm and inviting from the outside. As temperatures drop outside, take the style up a notch with these easy tips:

Image via: Houzz

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Decorate your Outdoor Home for the Holidays

Decorate Your Trees

If you happen to have trees in your front yard, decorate them and spice up your exterior for winter.  Wrap strings of lights around the trees in solid colors like red, green, or white. Incorporate other decorations and hang them on the trees for added effect. You can wrap thick ribbons of gold, crimson, or silver or display glittery faux fruits from the tree boughs.

Image via: Pinterest

Use Lights for Added Appeal

Image by: Kim Babbitt

There are many ways you can use lights to spruce up your outdoor space. You can use them on entrance arches for a dramatic and warm look. Create a tunnel of arches adorned by strings of stunning white lights. The arches are also useful in spring as you can add climbing roses or flowering vines over the lights. If you have a pathway, light it up by incorporating lights into the snow. Punch holes in the snow and slip small glasses with votives into them.

Image via: Town and Country Living

Pine garland can add festive flair

Enliven your home with pine roping and welcome the cold season in a unique way. You can get real pine roping from your local garden centre. If you have a porch, wrap the roping around the posts or swag it on them. You can also use pine roping to outline your front door and enhance the look with bows, holy berries, or ribbons. Wrap rope lights around it and make it a decoration that wows during the day and night.

Image By: MH Landscape Design

Don’t let the cold spoil your winter fun. Decorate with these inventive solutions and make your outdoors look bright and cheery. Your guests will feel welcomed by the warm exterior and you will be able to keep winter doldrums at bay.

For more outdoor holiday decoration ideas, click here.

Merry Christmas Stagetecture readers! I hope that you have a wonderful day full of surprises, joy, traditions and new memories with your family and friends.

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Stagetecture has helped you get your holiday home to be the best it can be! If you need last minute Christmas ideas, see below for quick links to make your Christmas perfect!

Christmas food recipes

Gifts to give the host

Christmas decorations

Stagetecture Radio – 5 shows for holiday ideas

Image via: Crescent Moon

From my home to yours, Merry Christmas and enjoy all you hold dear!

-Ronique

For more Christmas decorations tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Merry Christmas Eve Stagetecture readers! Today is that magical day and night where we gather our families, gifts, and decorate our tables for a wonderful meal with family and friends. Whether you are choosing a simple table centerpiece or you want a formal and elaborate Christmas dinner table, here are several ideas to make your table look gorgeous!

Take a look at a few that I found, each has its own festive cheer!

Natural and rustic Christmas table setting:

Image via: Style Estate

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Light up your Christmas table

Image via: Kicostyle

Traditional red and gold Christmas table decor

Why not coordinate your gifts with your table decoration! Simply lovely….

Image via: Pinterest

Add color and reflectance with Christmas ornaments

Love this idea of using a decorative dessert tiered tray and putting loose Christmas ornaments. This would take no longer than 5 minutes to put together!

Image via: HGTV

For more Christmas ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

It’s Christmas time and trying to think of stocking stuffers can be a challenge! There are lots of things to be done with so little time to prepare for this festive season. Of course, Christmas season won’t last without gift giving, parties and fun-filled gatherings. One of the things that may drag your schedule is thinking of the best stocking stuffer. Obviously, you cannot have the same items every year.

Image via: Crate & Barrel

More often than not, you will have small gadgets and toys as your stocking stuffers. These items are great but very common. It might not provide the desired thrill and excitement to the recipient. However, you can bring out the best of your stocking stuffers with these creative ideas that you can use.

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Homemade soap

There’s no better way to show your efforts than spending time and creativity in your gifts. It gives the right impression of love and sincerity. With homemade scented soaps, you will not only gain the happiness of the person receiving it but the appreciation of your efforts in giving. The scented soap is easy to make and the ingredients are readily available. Try using glycerin, peppermint or lavender oil for your favorite scents to give this holiday season.

Image via: Craftori

Pom-pom snowman

This is certainly a cute stuff that anyone can appreciate. It is handy, eye-catching and fit for the season. The person who receives this item will definitely treasure this cute little stuff you have for him or her. You only need a few materials for this project and little skills in stitching. Don’t forget to add a red ribbon to highlight the holiday season.

Image via: Martha Stewart

Tassel bookmark

This is probably one of the easiest personalized stuff stocking that you can make. It can be made up of computer-printed designs or have it hand-painted. What makes this exciting is the unlimited creativity that you can have as your design for the bookmark. Adding a personalized message will be great.

With Christmas day fast approaching, you have to pick your choice for your stocking stuffers. It helps when you know the procedure and comfortable of doing it.

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Christmas is fast approaching. People from all walks of life are looking forward for the holiday and so excited with the parties and family gatherings. These special occasions call for tedious and creative preparations especially if the venue is in your home. You will certainly feel the pressure on making your home look beautiful and stunning for guests.

One of the most common concerns is the outdoor designs. It is the beauty that welcomes your guests on their way coming inside your home. This is why it is very important to make it gorgeous and pleasant as possible. When you think of the exterior. It can be your patio, garden or even as far as your fence. But what makes it more attractive is when you will have your columns wrapped with decorative items – like designing it with garland.

Image via: Southern Living

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Add Christmas lights

Decorating your columns with garland is really a great idea. It enhances the look of the structure and gives a decent appearance in its natural construction. However, adding some Christmas lights will certainly provide better outcome especially in the evening. The Christmas lights can add color and style to your entire design.

Hang decorative items

This can be a Christmas decor like mistletoe, candy cane, Santa figurines and other decorative items. You may hang them in random or patterned design. The important thing is that all decorative materials should not overwhelm the garland as a whole.

Image via: Austenonly

Create a theme

Having a theme in your column that is wrapped with garland will make it easier for you to decide on the things you need. For instance, if you want it red and green color theme, all have to do is to find items that match your preferred color.  You can also have it in Santa or any holiday theme you desire.

You may look into your storage and evaluate the things available. This way, you can decide on which of the above-mentioned idea fits the material you have. Your front porch can brighten up the entire front lawn with these column decorating ideas. Bring the festive holiday spirit to your front columns,.

For more holiday decorating ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

I have a mad obsession with rustic Christmas and holiday decor this year! There is something so natural and appealing about bringing holiday inspiration to your home without having to fuss over fine details, but still bring the essence of the holiday alive. Wreaths have come a long way over the years and what used to be typical with evergreen branches has been replaced with rustic and organic branches and minimalist varieties.

Rustic ‘bird’s nest’ wreath

Image via: Gardenista

Add color to your front door

Image via: Etsy

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Celebration of Pantone’s color of the year: Emerald

Image via: Hand Made Spark

Welcome your guests with a rustic entry wreath

Image via: Millie Idee

How will you bring rustic flair into your home this holiday? Wreaths are a great way to warm your guests faces when they arrive at your front door!

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

We all love the holidays, but it can always be a challenge to decorate it. It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Decorating for the holidays takes a lot of time and effort, which can often lead to stress. To make your holiday decorating a little easier, follow these tips:

Choose a theme.

Whether you want glitz and glamour or a more traditional look for the holidays, setting a theme will make shopping for decorations a breeze. If you don’t have a vision for a theme, consider establishing a color scheme. When it comes to lights, so, stick with white since they will go with every color scheme from year to year.

Image via: Provence Mon Amour

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Build a collection.

Each year, splurge on one piece so that you gradually build a collection of holiday decorations of which you’ll be proud. Building a collection over time is budget-friendly since you won’t have to spend large amounts of money at once.

Replace everyday items with their holiday counterparts.

Decorating shouldn’t just mean putting decorations around your existing home décor. Change out aspects of your décor and replace them with holiday versions. Swap your usual curtains for Christmas lace curtains or add a scenic panel to your usual front door.

Delight your senses.

Decorating isn’t all about what the eye can see, but also what you smell. Light some holiday candles – pine and fresh cut greens, cinnamon, and holly – to lift your spirits while you’re decorating.

Image via: House to Home

Make time to unwind.

After lugging around boxes of decorations, standing in long lines, and carrying bulky presents to their hiding spots, odds are you’ll need a well-deserved break. Make time to unwind, whether you go get a manicure or simply draw yourself a bath, you’ll make more progress on your To Do list if you’re less stressed.

For affordable holiday shopping online, visit Decorating with Lace Outlet today and save up to 50% on holiday and sale items.

For more Christmas decorations tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Stagetecture radio is on holiday break until January – but I thought I would compile all of the great holiday shows in one location so you can listen to each one throughout the holiday season!

Here’s the past shows to get your holiday home, gift giving needs, guest room and entertaining needs ready! My last 5 shows along with a link to the pinterest board and iTunes will help you have the best holiday season ever.

 ‘Your Weekly Home at Stagetecture” radio show will be back live – January 2, 2013

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Episode #4 – Welcoming your guests into your holiday home!

Welcoming your guests into your holiday home! From a welcoming guest room for adults and children to breakfast ideas to serve your guests. Make your home a perfect retreat to visit this holiday season!

Link to the show –> Welcoming your guests into your holiday home

Episode #5 – How to Thank the Holiday Host

This holiday season what are you bringing the gracious host? Tune in for ideas to show your appreciation and help out with the holiday meal!

Link to the show –> How to thank the holiday host

Episode #6 – Decorating your Holiday Home

Is your home ready for the holidays? Get holiday decor ideas and bring color, lights, and festive cheer to your  entertaining home.

Link to the show –> Decorating your holiday home

Episode #7 – Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

Make gift giving fun this season, find out creative tips for wrapping your holiday gifts and some twists on old traditions you may have not thought about.

Link to the show –> Creative gift wrapping ideas

Episode #8 – Holiday Food Treats for Gift-Giving

Delicious food ideas to give as gifts this season! From cookies and candies to jarred recipes and more! Join me with your favorite recipe.

Link to the show –> Holiday food treats for gift giving

Follow Pinterest Board – Stagetecture Radio Show

Want to see all of the great inspiration for today’s show? Follow my Pinterest board for each episode to lend inspiration you can do at home to complete the look

Pinterest —> See pictures here: or go to https://stagetecture.com/Pinterest

How to Download from iTunes

Did you miss the show, or want to download on iTunes so you can listen to again? You can look for Stagetecture Radio show every Wednesday after the show and download my episode or any of the other shows.

iTunes —> Download podcast here: or go to https://stagetecture.com/itunes

All ideas are highlights from 111 Simple Tips Ebook – get your copy here!

Happy Holidays

-Ronique

For more holiday & party ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Holiday Saturday at Stagetecture! If you are looking for a way to decorate your holiday or Christmas dinner table this season, today you will learn how to make your own. Whether you enjoy using fresh evergreen branches from around your outdoor home or you use artificial foliage, the arrangement of your centerpiece is what makes your dining table special!

Image via: Vita Verandan-anna

Today, watch a video on how to make your own live centerpiece using fresh evergreens, pinecones, candles and more, then see creative ideas for centerpieces throughout the holidays!

Video – How to Create a Christmas Table Centerpiece

Link to –> How to Create a Christmas Table Centerpiece

How do you plan decorate your Christmas table?

Image via: Celebrations at Home

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Try a homemade Christmas tree centerpiece!

Choose your favorite colored theme:

Chocolate Brown

Image via: Southern Hospitality

Festive Red

Image via: Most Beautiful Pages

Happy Holidays to you and your family, and add festive color to your dinner table with these ideas.

For more Christmas craft ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.