Let’s talk about bringing festive cheer to the surfaces around the house. Sherdog had some fun with the mantel, as she often does, and she shared the step-by-step of her surface refreshes — especially for the holidays. The mantel, console table, and built-ins all received small, simple updates that together make the rooms feel merry without a major overhaul.
The mantel makeover was straightforward. Stockings were hung with care, and I added a few faux presents I made previously. On top of the stack sits a glittered stag ornament from Target that adds height and sparkle to the arrangement. I grabbed two so they wouldn’t be lonely and so the display would feel balanced.
In case anyone wonders why there appear to be only three stockings: Burger didn’t get skipped. Mommy and daddy share one stocking, while each of the kids has their own personalized stocking.
Next I turned my attention to the console table by the door. That swap was quick and fun. I brought out a couple of feather trees from storage along with a small faux evergreen I’ve had for years. A few silver ornaments tucked into the glass lamp base quickly changed its look to something more seasonal.
I also filled a shallow bowl with ornaments and placed it atop some silvery-blue books to add texture and shine. Under a glass dome I positioned a ceramic bird and a large green ornament to pick up colors already present in the artwork and console table, creating visual continuity.
Feeling festive, I moved into the kitchen with a bag of holiday accessories. A few hot pink ornaments — magnets I attached to ornaments years ago — became playful holders for holiday cards on the fridge. On the open shelves I arranged silver ornaments in a cake stand and another small bird figurine to maintain a cohesive, playful theme throughout the space.
The built-ins received subtle holiday nods rather than a full redesign. Pops of red — faux poppies, a red book, and a round ornament — look striking against the deep teal back wall. Adding a large green ornament and silver balls in a hurricane vase at the bottom shelf helped balance color and scale.
On the opposite side of the built-ins I continued the theme with red coral, a small knitted red cactus, and another hurricane vase filled with silver balls. A faux clam shell holds smaller ornaments on an upper shelf, while a tiny ornament pays tribute to Burger and adds a personal, whimsical touch.
Close up, some of the smaller ornaments bring a lot of personality. A tiny chihuahua ornament in a green bowl always makes us laugh. That little character shows up in photos and often helps keep Clara engaged during shoots. We even styled a similar look for a magazine shoot earlier in the season; the magazine requested a hint of holiday cheer in the background, so we adapted the built-ins for the shoot while keeping the overall room styling consistent with what we use at home.
With these surface swaps complete, my holiday to-do list is looking much shorter. A few items remain: get a live tabletop tree (a repeat from last year, but with a fresh ornament idea), hang outdoor lights and decorate the front porch, create an advent calendar for Clara, and finish shopping and making gifts that remain on our list. We already checked one big item off: the annual Clara & Burger holiday photo is shot and ready to be mailed — we’re saving the reveal for the card to avoid spoiling the surprise for family and friends.
- Set up the big tree (gradient, baby!) — done
- Get a live tabletop tree again with a new ornament idea — pending
- Decorate mantel, built-ins, and entryway console — done
- Hang outside lights and decorate the front porch — pending
- Shoot a holiday picture of Clara & Burger for the annual card — done
- Make an advent calendar for Clara — pending
- Finish shopping and crafting gifts — mostly done
Who else is decking the halls this season? If you’ve added any creative touches to mantels, shelves, or entry tables, share what worked for you. Small swaps — a few ornaments, some faux greenery, or a themed color pop — can quickly transform everyday surfaces into festive displays without a major effort.
Tip: look through seasonal craft and decorating ideas from previous years for inspiration and to repurpose items you already own.