Festive 4th of July Mantel

A few times per year I like to change up the mantel, and the easiest way to do this is during the holidays. The large picture of my two kids when they were so little doesn’t really change, because I haven’t found something I like better. lol. They are a big reason I started decorating for every holiday and every season. I wanted to make it fun for them and now it is fun for me! It can be something simple or very extravagant. I have decorated this mantel for more events than I can count. Holidays, Birthdays, Graduations, Accomplishments.. Whatever the occasion, the center piece of the living room has been the perfect focal point to draw attention to whatever is coming up in our lives. It’s easy and fun, and you can get as creative as you want. This 4th of July Mantel is pretty simple, just using a few flags, and vases I had around the house, a little garland and some homemade vintage inspired firecracker decorations. Have fun with it, experiment and remember it is temporary so don’t hold back! One thing I love to decorate with is old pictures from different holidays. Pictures of the kids at the parades, fireworks shows, bbq’s, etc… reminding us of the memories we made and reminding us to keep making more. 

Yes, these firecrackers are my kindergarten craft! I used toilet paper rolls, covered them with flag themed napkins, then printed out vintage post cards and glued those to rolls, filled tubes with paper towels glued around a wooden dowel, and made a 3.5″ circle, cut half through and twisted it into a cone for top. Glued it all together and then pushed cut star garland into tube secured by a dab of hot glue. They were so easy and fun! I added a little glitter to key areas of image for a little sparkle.