The inspiration for my winter fireplace display came from this wooden sleigh from Goodwill of Central Arizona.

In November, I was in Ahwatukee strolling the Christmas aisle when I saw this sleigh. Marked at $29.99 I thought it might be a little too much for my wallet but I put it in my cart anyway, just to make sure I really wanted it. Well, as you can see, I really wanted it. I used my coupon and paid $23.99. It’s solid wood with iron runners and quite substantial, definitely worth the price. I’ll be holding on to this piece for quite some time.

When I purchased the sleigh, I knew I’d use it on the fireplace but wasn’t sure what I’d do with it. When I saw my burlap Christmas stockings, read their story here, I knew they’d go perfectly with the sleigh and so the rustic decorating began.

I filled the sleigh with some fresh garland, then added the burlap Christmas stockings on top. I gathered some mercury glass candlesticks from around the house, added some sparkly ornaments to the garland and used an old bucket and box to create a rustic themed mantel.

My new rustic sleigh was the perfect inspiration to use for my fireplace this year.

Maybe next year I’ll use it outside by the front door, or maybe I’ll fill it with ornaments and set it on the kitchen table? I can always put it next to the kid’s tree and fill it with stuffed Christmas characters or how about…

Let me just say, the sleigh has got a great future in this House of Goodwill and I have no regrets with my purchase.