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Growing up, my mother always went all out decorating for every holiday, birthday and season. She loves to decorate and is so creative. I like to think I got a tiny bit of her talent, although I think my sister inherited most of it. When I think back on my childhood, I immediately think about the holidays. They have always been so special. I come from a big family. All of my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents get together for holidays/birthdays and other times throughout the year. We are so blessed to all have close relationships. This time of year makes me so nostalgic and all I can think is, I want my kids to have that.

I am determined to carry on the tradition of baking holiday treats, making crafts and decorating the house for the seasons. I want my children to have just as special childhood as I had. I want them to remember how much fun we have during the holidays and I want us to create traditions together. One tradition I grew up with was decorating the mantel. While my mother does the majority of the decorating, I always enjoyed “helping” – even if that meant handing her the scissors or holding the ladder. I love seeing several pieces come together to make a beautiful focal point. The end presentation is always so perfect, not because we have top of the line decorations, but because we created it together.

This past week, I decided it was time for my big fall mantel makeover. I went to Walmart and purchased a small pumpkin and American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand in “Shades of Fall,” “Fresh Apple” and “Pumpkin.” I loved the traditional fall colors of these candles, but most of all I loved their fragrances. They are heavenly. I have been burning them round the clock in our home. 

I also grabbed a few other decorations from around the house that I thought would be a good fit for my fall mantel. I grabbed an old window that I bought at a flea market a few years ago for $10, a DIY fall wreath that I made two years ago (and is still holding up great), a leafy candle ring, vase, a fall sign, a leaf banner that I scored on the dollar rack at a local department store and my new candles and pumpkin! 

I always like to play around with the heights. My mom taught me that having differing heights throughout your decor really helps the aesthetic and layout.  Here is how I created my mantel:

1. I put my window in the center of the mantel and attached the leaf banner to the top of it.


2. I placed my wreath off to one side of my window because I liked the way it looked more than when it was centered. It was almost too perfect that way. You can play around with it and see what suits you.


3. I placed two shorter objects off of the window – my pumpkin on one side and my American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand with the leafy candle ring around it. 


4. On the ends, I put taller items to keep with the differing heights. I put a vase I had laying around on one side with flowers and my fall sign on the other. If you don’t have a fall sign, think about printing a Fall print out and putting it in an 8×10 frame.

It was very simple but I love the way it looks in our home and my son is obsessed with the little pumpkin. I’m thinking the holidays are going to be really fun with him this year! I am so happy that my home is now holiday-ready for all of our entertaining and family.


I shared how I made over my mantel with American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand from Walmart. Now tell me how you prepare your home for Fall!