Hello hello hello! Welcome back to WIP! We've been opening the doors of our special Advent Calendar 2023 for a good while now. If you've missed any, click the Christmas tag at the bottom of this article to find them.
Today is December 17th, and the door reveals...
A fireplace mantel installation how-to!
Don't worry if you don't have a fireplace - I don't, either! All you need is a shelf with open ends (so not a bookcase shelf) and a pile of different kinds of pine and other garland (real of plastic). Here's how to do it:
- If your shelf isn't there already, attach it to your wall in a central place in your living room or bedroom.
- Pick the thickest garland you have and place it on top of the shelf. You can use adhesive hooks on the shelf to keep the garland steady.
- Add thinner garlands on top of and around the thicker one. Attach with cable ties if necessary.
- If you have smaller branches, insert them into the garland mixture.
- Add a festive ribbon (red velvet would be excellent) around and about the installation.
- If there are spots left open, add little candle holders. If burning actual candles would be a fire hazard, use flameless ones.
- Attach small Christmas ornaments and bells around the installation as desired.
And you're done! No fireplace needed. (Although, if you want to take this to the next level, place a TV right under the shelf and play a fireplace video on it. You can even hang little stockings from the edge of the shelf!)
RK
