How to decorate a Christmas mantel or table top using glass Christmas tree jars and glitter.
I am slowly getting my house decked for the holidays starting with my Christmas mantel decor. I am keeping the decorations simple – I like simple, but elegant and a bit old-fashioned. It gives the house a bit more of a nostalgic feel and that to me is one of the most important parts of the holidays – the memories and traditions of a family at Christmastime.
For my Christmas mantel decor for my dining room, I decided to use turquoise as the accent color this year so the room flows better into the kitchen where I recently added the color in the way of banquette pillows.
On the wall, I updated a chalkboard and layered a vintage frame I found at a yard sale and a wreath in front of it. I also placed a collection of glass tree candy jars I found at the thrift store along the mantel. Oh! and I can’t forget – lots of glitter.
While thrifting with my buddy, Shannon from MadiganMade over the summer, I was in search of these glass Christmas tree candy jars. They sell one size at Walmart, but I wanted all different sizes, so we went hunting and found most of them in one day –at the local Habitat ReStore. They were $1 a piece. Last Christmas, Shannon posted about how to paint them to look like Milk Glass. They provide a versatile canvas to add your own style.
Do you remember my post last January where I wrote about my word for the year? My word was “Edit”. I have been pretty successful editing down all year long so far and that includes Christmas decorations. I am only keeping the decorations that my family and I love or that bring us joy or a happy memory.
These make me happy. They are simple, old-fashioned, and a bit modern at the same time. I placed battery operated tea lights inside each jar.
At night they take on a dreamy glow. I could not get a good photo of them in the dark. The tea lights in the photos ended up looking fluorescent and they don’t look like that at all when lit. They look warm and glowing – and of course – glittery and nostalgic for me.
I saw a chalkboard like this last year on Pinterest and pinned it to do this year. Keeping it simple instead of something more elaborate and time consuming right now when life starts getting a bit over-scheduled and hectic.
How to Make a Simple Boxwood Wreath
I made the wreath using a wire wreath form. I simply tied sprigs of boxwood all around it with florist wire. I wired a few jingle bells on also – as Christmas would not be Christmas without a few jingle bells, right?
I would like to find a preserved boxwood wreath. If anyone knows of a good resource for one – please share it in the comments. Since I don’t have any cedar growing in my yard, I bought a banded bunch at Home Depot for $4.97 to lay across the mantel.
No fuss for the chandelier – just some boxwood wrapped around it to make it look a little special for the holidays.
How to Add Glitter to Glass Christmas Tree Jars
I had taken photos to show you how to glitter the glass jars, but my external hard drive where I stored them is acting up and I can’t access them. I snipped this one from a rogue thumbnail image that showed up in my picture file. It is a little blurry, but shows what the glass jars looked like before they were covered with glitter.
supplies needed:
- Glass jars
- White glue – do not use fast drying glue – dries too fast before you can get the glitter on evenly. Basic white glue or tacky glue works the best.
- Glitter
- 1-inch wide paint brush
- Cardboard box lid – keeps glitter from getting all over and makes it easy to put the excess glitter back into the glitter container.
- Battery-operated tealights
Clean and dry jars. The glitter is on the outside of these jars – not the inside. Place one hand in the jar and brush the glue evenly all over the outside of the jar – do it as quickly as you can. Once the jar is covered with glue, hold it over an open cardboard box and sprinkle glitter all over it. Turn it all different ways to make sure you get glitter evenly all over the jar. Place on a surface to dry. Repeat for the glass top. When dry, place a tealight inside. Pour all the excess glitter in the box back into your glitter container.
I added a little glitter to the white vintage frame, too. Christmas + Glitter = Simply Festive.
I still have some more decorating to do and will show you more in my next few posts. Until then, I hope you are enjoying the holiday season so far and are not experiencing too much frazzle dazzle – only…
Sharing With:
The Inspired Room Jennifer Rizzo Southern Hospitality Inspired By Charm Shanty 2 Chic Fox Hollow Cottage
Linda says
Love your tree jars Diane. What elegant decorations! Did you use a fine glitter in white? I can’t tell from the photos what type of glitter and color was used. I look forward to making these this year, so buying the right supplies and tips will be helpful. Thanks and Happy Holidays 2016.
Carole says
Hi Diane. I tried glueing and sprinkling the these old candy holder trees and made such a mess I was hoping you could tell me where I went wrong.
A helper at JoAnn told me to use Mod Podge Glass-lustre. It didn’t seem right to me but she said it is a glue that is not fast drying which is what you suggested.
Please help me as I love the look of them, especially with the tea lights and I am anxious to find out where I went wrong.
Most sincerely, Carole
Diane Henkler says
Hi Carole – I am not sure from your note if you used regular glue or the Mod Podge Glass Luster to make the glittered jars? I have never used the Mod Podge glass product and don’t know anything about it. For my tree jars I used white Elmer’s glue. If you soak the jars in hot soapy water you can get them clean again to start over. I simply brushed white glue evenly over the jars and then sprinkled glitter all over. It was super quick and easy. I then let them sit undisturbed to dry. Let me know what you used and what type of glitter you are using too.
Ann Moore says
Thanks for the inspirations have already thought for xmas next year as I am an xmas crafter all the year round will be back to other things from you.
Belinda @ Home of Ours says
Those glittered glass trees are a great little decoration. Definitely one to try for next Christmas in my house.
Jennifer Rizzo says
I love your chalkboard! Thank you for sharing your holiday home with us!
Czaczag says
Preserved boxwood wreaths are available now at:
http://www.antiquefarmhouse.com/
Beautiful mantle-scape, Diane!
katie goldsworthy says
They look perfect on your mantel! Beautiful!
–Katie
Heidi says
Beautiful mantle! I love finding deals at our Re-Store!
cassie says
i love all of it- the colors are so pretty and those glittered trees are gorgeous!
Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage says
Diane, I’m visiting via the Inspired Room Christmas Tour.
This is such a pretty mantel. Love the frosted Christmas trees. They are so Winter-y looking!!
Sheryll & Critters. says
I just love your mantel and there is not one thing you do that is not just fabulous. I look forward to your holiday decorations so much. It is like taking a house tour of some really rich mansion to me.
Thank you again for all your wonderful lessons and especially for the inexpensive ways to do all of them.
melinda ke says
I love it!!! I have a similar glass tree jar…I think I’m going to have to snazzy it up, Diane style! I love the idea of adding a battery operated tea light, I never would have thought of that! Thanks! :)
Runt says
I really like how the glitter trees came out! It’s really pretty how you layered the frame over the chalkboard too. =]
Christy Keyton says
Hi Diane, I am a new follower – found you through a link from someone’s blog. I love your mantel. I pinned that same picture from pinterest last year as well. My friend and I made the chalkboards with wreaths and put them in our booth at the antique mall -so pretty! I also ordered the boxwood wreaths from Antique Farmhouse. If you google “boxwood wreath” there are several sources out there, but Antique Farmhouse had the best price. I love your blog and your style!
Barbara @ DIY Home Staging Tips says
Diane — I noticed some boxwood wreaths at Target yesterday, but didn’t check the price. They were probably Smith and Hawken brand.
Now I’m motivated to be on the lookout for glass trees. I’d probably go the milk glass route. You’ve done a beautiful job combining nostalgia and sentimentality with up-to-the-minute elegance, not an easy combo.
Judy says
Love this post!
Anne Boykin says
Hi Diane, Your trees are lovely! I have some preserved boxwood wreaths on order from Antique Farmhouse. They offer a 12 inch for $30 plus shipping. Not inexpensive but they are so beautiful. Happy Holidays!
Kimberly Bruhn says
Diane — I, too, wanted some preserved boxwood wreaths…never could get onto Decor Steals fast enough! Then I was at Safeway (not sure if you have that out your way?) and not only did I get two but I got them for about $15 each since I had a couple $10 off coupons…they have this website where you choose your offers (Just for U or something like that). Just FYI. Weird, but I started picking up the tree jars this fall, too! I’ve found about 6 sizes out here in Oregon..some are fatter and some more slender in design. I put all sorts of Christmas treats in ours. I think there’s still some left? Ha!
Organized Living Essentials says
I have seen a lot of mantel ideas on Pinterest and on the various blogs that I am reading. I just wanted to let you know that yours is my absolute favourite. Love it! Love it! You clearly show that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to create something unique and elegant like yours. Thanks for the inspiration! ~Thea
Michelle Hilton says
very fun Diane, I am not a traditional red & green person so I enjoy finding ideas for the holidays that showcase other colors, like your fantastic turquoise.
Lynne says
Lovely Diane . . . You have “the touch!”
Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick says
Love this Diane! Just pinned! :)
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Your mantel looks lovely, Diane! I love the chalkboard with the wreath. I will have to pin that for next year!