With the exception of our Nativity, Marcy's Christmas Mantle is probably the most important decorative display in our house - even more than the tree. It isn't Christmas time in the Kaopuiki house until Marcy has decorated the fireplace mantle. Sure, the tree is important, but it is relatively the same year after year. It gets unpacked from the box and put together (the Oregonian in me still can't get used to that) then basically the same decorations go on each year. I suppose it is special in its own way, but the mantle has even more meaning to me.
I don't know that I have ever really expressed to Marcy how much I look forward to the mantle, but I think what I love about it is that it is something new each year. She takes time brainstorming and looking for inspiration that will help shape her vision for the decoration and when her vision is clear she goes to it. The finished product is a celebration of the season, a creation from her heart and mind, and a labor of love for our family and our home. You can see versions of previous mantles in past blog posts: 12/1/09 and 12/10/10.
The 2011 version features a symmetrical structure that conveys to me a control and order we often find ourselves craving in our crazy busy lives of chasing the kids around town in between our own activities and jobs. Marcy repurposed a frame from an old print that was garbage bound and created the wreath based on an idea she saw on Pinterest (the Kaopuiki family 'Best web discovery of 2011'). Finally, the Nativity scene was placed front and center as a reminder for all about the true reason for the season.
So, visitors often look at the mantle and wall and most comment about how nice it looks. Few people really understand that is actually a seasonal work of art, put in place with thought, intent, and love for her family by my favorite Holiday decorator.
Maybe a few more will understand now.
Glad we were there to personally watch the artist create her mantle!
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