Simple Holiday Decorations

We just don't have a lot of space here in the cozy country cottage. Storage is at a minimum so I don't have a lot of holiday (other than Christmas) decorations that I keep from year to year. You saw my simple mantle decor...those pieces are easy to stack & store but one of my other favorite ways to decorate for the holidays & seasons is to use pieces that can stay out year round and just switch them up a bit.

I found two great tea light holders at Goodwill several months ago. I liked that the metal pieces on top were attached to where the tea light goes so you can easily light the candles then lower the "lid". Since they're glass I can add to them for each season.

For Fall...

After Thanksgiving I replaced the candy corn with red garland beads...and of course for the life of me can't figure out what I did with that pic but trust me...it was cute!

And now for Valentine's Day...

See how I tried to get a little more artsy with my photo skills?? My pic turned out a little darker than it should have but you get the idea and you can see the glow of the candles.

Think of all the little ways you can add some holiday decor to your little corners! I liked these little Goodwill finds from the start but now that I'm finding new ways to use them, I really LOVE them! You could do the same with simple vases or jars too!

My Next House Will have a Mantel

But until then...I will make do!

Growing up, my parents had a fireplace built into a brick wall with a mantle but the only time my mom ever decorated it was at Christmas. The rest of the year it sat filled with her "fancy" pieces that couldn't be anywhere else because of my younger brother & sister. I never would've touched that stuff...I knew better. They, on the other hand could NOT be trusted (wink, wink).

The houses I lived in in Florida didn't have fireplaces, just not too common and since moving back I've only been lucky enough to have one, but the ex inherited that lease. So...one day, I will have a mantle of my own. I see the mantle as a great area for displays and it would be so much fun to be able to change it out with the seasons. There are thousands of pins on Pinterest so if you ever run short of imagination, check that out!

In the meantime, I've got a little shelf. I call it my mantle, even if it is only 18 inches long and hangs over my desk. Here's what I did for Christmas...

I love my little canvas painting from my friend Michelle at Studio 7 Canvas Creations. You should check her out!

And today I just finished up a simple but cute "XO" for Valentine's Day and added it to a small piece of wood I had painted, distressed & embellished a few years ago. Here's my "mantle" today...

I didn't realize until getting this pic ready that the dot over the "i" is missing so I'll have to fix that but anytime there's pink, rosettes & buttons, you just can't go wrong!

Do you have a mantle or an area in your home that always gets the holiday treatment? I love changing things up...it keeps the heathens on their toes!