Holiday 101: Dressing Up the Mantel

Dec. 5, 2006 — -- Jazz up a timeless tradition this season -- decorating your mantel. "Good Morning America" and Monika Biegler Eyers, the senior market editor at "Domino Magazine" have easy ways to update the standard look of red ribbons and greenery.

Change up typical poinsettia plants by separating their branches and potting them in small mint julep cups to create a decorative row across your mantel. To make them last longer, heat the cut ends of poinsettia stems over a flame and the milky sap will seal up the stem in a few seconds.

If you're a minimalist, hang stockings discreetly by using invisible hooks tacked under the mantel shelf to keep the top uncluttered.

In the hearth, surround a star lantern with tea light candles in traditional Moroccan tea glasses to add a touch of the exotic. You can use any small glasses with tea light candles. Use battery-operated candles to make the decor more kid- and pet-friendly.

Create a theme to give yourself some direction. It will help you stay focused. We used the green wall as our starting point and created an enchanted forest around it.

To create your own enchanted forest, paint pine cones painted gold and give plants sparkle. The wreath is made of exotic peacock feathers and the deer are covered with glitter.

To create depth, don't be afraid to layer the look. If the items are consistent with your theme, it will look lush instead of cluttered.

A little bit of paint can instantly transform pine cones into a festive accessory. To stay consistent, ask yourself with each piece: how does this work with my theme? It will keep you from straying off track.

Find a muse and use that as inspiration for your look. Inspiration is all around you. It can be a favorite photograph or painting or the set of a favorite TV show or movie.

Ansel Adams was our muse; Adams is a photographer who is famous for his landscape photos of snow-covered forests.