Our house doesn't have a fireplace. I think (besides apartment living) this is the first time that has happened! I didn't mind it too much until Christmas rolled around. 

So I had to get a little creative.

Turns out there are a lot of ways you can display those Christmas stockings just as nicely without a fireplace mantel. Here are some of my favorites:

{click on images for sourcing}

1. On the Stairs

This is pretty classic, next to mantels. My mom does this (even with a fireplace) and it looks great!

If you live in a split level home that has a short railing, you can take advantage of that as well!

2. On the bed. 

I love this for kids' rooms. It brings in some personal seasonal decor to their space!

3. On a door or from a cased opening

This is beautiful when there's garland included. And really I saw some great examples of beautiful garland in doorways, but not as many people have thought to put stockings there...guess there are not so many clever people out there ; ) 

4. From furniture.

A sideboard, console, chairs, china cabinet...get creative!

5. On a makeshift mantel.

Another creatively broad option. Here's a few great examples:

So fear not, fellow flameless dwellers. Surely you have one of these options in your home that will work wonderfully. 

I hope you're all enjoying decorating for the season. All the chilly weather had me itching to get started right away. Not to rush Thanksgiving out the door, but we had also just moved into our home 2 weeks before Christmas last year. And then I came down with an awful virus, and then we had to travel all over the place. It left very little room for decoration. We had a tree with lights. That's it! We probably looked like the scrooges of the neighborhood. So this year we're making sure not to leave anything out! Plus my daughter is nearly two and is really starting to enjoy things like this. Every morning she says "heyyyy chreee!" to our Christmas tree, which we've appropriately decked with toddler-proof ornaments ;)

I'll make sure to share some snippets with you.

ANNNNNDDDDD, don't forget about our Cyber Monday Deal! HALF OFF E-Design! It's a steal. Really. We must be crazy. But we have so much fun in the process that we don't mind :) 

Until next time, folks!