A Rustic Christmas Mantel and Tree

Be inspired to decorate simply this year like this rustic Christmas mantel and tree.

CHRISTMAS | Updated June 23, 2023

Christmas decorating tips and inspiration featuring a rustic mantel and decorated tree. | www.andersonandgrant.com

This post is written in collaboration with Boscov's. All opinions and ideas are my own.

Today I'm sharing a little bit of holiday decorating inspiration with you.

My mantel and Christmas tree have been decorated simply using items that I use year after year as well as a few new purchases. It is always exciting to get a few new things to add to your holiday displays. Even if you switch up where and how you place what you already have, adding in a couple things you've fallen in love with at the store keeps everything looking fresh.

There are so many places to shop for Christmas decor, whether online, at the mall, or in specialty shops. One place that may not immediately cross your mind is a department store. The same place where you can shop for clothes, appliances, and bedding typically have a lovely selection of holiday decorations.

One of my favorite department stores to shop at year round is Boscov's. (It is the same store where I found the beautiful faux shrubs to display on my porch this summer.)

And at Christmastime, they have everything you need to style your home, regardless of your style. From trees and ornaments to garlands, figurines, and stocking. And at a much more affordable price than many retailers.

If you are not close to one of their northern East Coast locations, their products are also available online.

This post contains affiliate links which means I receive a small commission if you choose to make a purchase using the link, but there is no additional cost to you. For more information, you can view my disclosure policy.

Since I wanted to keep a rustic, woodsy vibe to my decor this year, I went looking for a few treasures that would coordinate with what I already had and could also be used again next year in different settings. I try to buy things that are traditional and classic so they don't go out of style and will work in with my previous purchases.

Luckily, I found a lot of decor at Boscov's that would fit right in to my plans.

I fell in love with this small Santa dressed in neutral colors. Just look at his sweet little face!

Since he is not very tall, I propped him up on some vintage books to make him fit into this display. Things like wood boxes, books, and small shelves are great for adding height and layers to your vignettes.

Every Santa needs a reindeer and this one is standing on my mantel just waiting for instructions from Santa about Christmas deliveries! He has the softest fur and prettiest eyes and is actually handmade in the US which is something I always consider as a bonus.

Christmas decorating tips and inspiration featuring a rustic mantel and decorated tree. | www.andersonandgrant.com

Next to Santa is a centerpiece of snowy greenery with metal candle holders at different heights. Having the candles at different levels is pleasing to the eye and causes you to look all through a display.

What is really nice about a candle holder like this is that it is complete and ready to put in a display straight out of the box. You can buy a three tier candleholder, pinecones, and greenery and make one yourself, but it is convenient to be be able to get something pre-made.

I'm a fan of lighting candles, but prefer to use realistic faux versions in my displays for safety reasons. I use them year round in my home. From a distance, they look like real flickering flames and will burn all season without having to always switch out to new pillar candles.

And these deer stockings with fur trim finish out my rustic looking mantel for the year. I was tempted to get a few of these last Christmas from a pricey gift shop and was happy to seem them available at Boscov's.

Christmas decorating tips and inspiration featuring a rustic mantel and decorated tree. | www.andersonandgrant.com

Next to the mantel is my Christmas tree. I've never had a real tree, but like everything else in life, I want the faux version to look as real as possible! This Norwegian Spruce has upswept branches that stick out just like an actual tree cut from the forest, minus the mess of taking care of it.

I've decorated the tree simply with some vintage red and white ornaments, silver glass glitter pinecone ornaments, and a vintage inspired glass and tinsel garland. And lots and lots of lights.

To make everything coordinate, I added a few red glass ornaments to the mantel top as well.

The star at the top of the tree is designed by Kurt Adler and really reminded me of something you'd find in the Pottery Barn catalog.

My ceilings are too low for the topper to fit on this particular tree, so I wired it just down from the top branch. I actually think the greenery popping out behind the star makes it more noticeable.

And my "tree skirt" is actually a really soft throw made by London Fog. It reminded me of a blanket of snow under the tree.

I can't wait to curl up on the couch this winter under this warm throw while I sip some hot chocolate and watch the snow fall!