![back-to-school-mantel-decorating.png Back to school mantel decorating](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q9c3_KzSVt4/U-HKD9VnljI/AAAAAAABBSw/Akr7Z1LxVxg/back-to-school-mantel-decorating.png?imgmax=800)
My kids actually don’t start back to school for a few more weeks, but a lot of my friends and family have kids that are already back, so instead of jumping right into the “leaves and pumpkins” fall type theme, I thought instead I would put up a back-to-school mantel.
![a-back-to-school-mantel.png A back to school mantel](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G7lSbvBRt7g/U-HG3JHsAFI/AAAAAAABBSo/qVTJmmIgL4o/a-back-to-school-mantel.png?imgmax=800)
I threw it together in about 15 minutes and with only stuff I had lying around. Things like pencils and alphabet blocks came out of the kids’ toy closet:
![alphabet-blocks.png Alphabet blocks](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cLq1bqQmOCk/U-HKFLvkWvI/AAAAAAABBS4/uC2_Eq-czSM/alphabet-blocks.png?imgmax=800)
These apples are actually REAL apples. (Normally I use wax fruit, but I didn’t feel like scouring the garage for my fake apples.. I was in the middle of watching the Chopped Teen Tournament!)
![back-to-school-vignette.png Back to school vignette](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sNkYIK4a8ec/U-HKGusO05I/AAAAAAABBTA/H0LPuxuYsr0/back-to-school-vignette.png?imgmax=800)
The kids use this dry erase board to make “Keep Out” signs for their room.. I have to admit, I've lost my cursive skills.
![Cursive-Alphabet.png Cursive Alphabet](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gWPCLqq2Feg/U-HKH1qYSfI/AAAAAAABBTI/-ZKQ5RffwT8/Cursive-Alphabet.png?imgmax=800)
This globe is something I picked up at the flea market (the girls have been begging for a “world”) and so when this one was only $10, I snapped it up. It isn’t exactly up to date, but it is the world.
![Globe-and-children.png Globe and children](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bjUuzJAs93k/U-HKJpxg3wI/AAAAAAABBTQ/aJOMz_kw24U/Globe-and-children.png?imgmax=800)
The only thing that required any effort for this setup was the banner from flashcards. I just used a hole punch and strung them on a ribbon.
![flash-card-banner.png Flash card banner](http://lh6.ggpht.com/--OBDbtr9DkU/U-HKK4EBVXI/AAAAAAABBTY/8PTlmr1B5r0/flash-card-banner.png?imgmax=800)
I got the little wallhanging from my mother in law. It hung in my sister in laws bedroom when she was a kid. I just LOVE it!
![back-to-school-mantel.png Back to school mantel](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XnCjTkVgJbo/U-HKMYdSTPI/AAAAAAABBTg/5BlFvUNSbwQ/back-to-school-mantel.png?imgmax=800)
Now, my kids don’t seem to love this vignette as much as I do. Maybe they don’t want to be reminded that summer vacation is almost over. And the 5 year old just keeps saying “Mommy.. we don’t need to have those letters up there, I already know my ABCs!”
![school-children-mantel.png School children mantel](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xbYcVNwFYc8/U-HKNrjyzmI/AAAAAAABBTo/9Ua_2ESxQCw/school-children-mantel.png?imgmax=800)
That is okay.. Since I’m happy to celebrate the return to school!
![school-mantel.png School mantel](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xzPdh25-JK0/U-HKO02e7sI/AAAAAAABBTw/pAyiSYZqgbc/school-mantel.png?imgmax=800)
For more other awesome Mantel designs, follow my "Marvelous Mantels" Pinterest Board.
Plus here are a few other Back to School and Teacher Appreciation ideas I've shared before:
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