b"magical so that it really catches the eye and you say, 'Wow, thats really beautiful.' The mantel is that They encourage homeowners to createextra special place, warmthintheirdecorating,notingthat the holidays evoke that cozy feeling. Andsays Levy.when it comes to where to focus your ef-forts, they suggest the fireplace mantel. The mantel is often a focal point in a home, so thats the space where you want to highlight something meaningful, like a family heirloom or a collection of ornaments. The mantel is that extra spe-cial place, says Levy. Here are their tips to keep in mind as you transform your mantel into something magical.Five Tips for Decorating your Fireplace Mantel:1.Pick a theme! Whether its a certain color or a particular look, pick a theme and keep it cohesive throughout.2.Add greenery! Fresh greens or artificial garland add both color and texture.3.Light it up! Create a festive and cozy mood with some sparkle and shine.4.Highlight your favorite pieces to evoke memories and family traditions.5.Have fun! Whether you are placing family heirlooms or cute holiday de-corfromastore, havefunandcre-ate something that speaks to you.Theyalsoempha-sizetheimportance ofbuildingholiday traditionstogetheras afamily.Asachild, Whiteheadreceiveda new ornament for the holidayseveryyear, andwhenshemoved intoherownhome, that childhood box of ornamentscamewith her. She now does the same for her own chil-dren,atraditionthey lookforwardtoevery Christmas season.Whateverkindof decor you choose, andWhitehead collects Belsnickels. The folktale goes that whichevertraditionsBelsnickel, a German companion of Saint Nicholas, ar-rives just before Christmas. If he finds that the children youaddtoeachyear,are well-behaved, he will throw them some candy. Another idea for a collection is to add pieces annually for a lighted Christmas village.feature story /33"