Mantel or mantle?
These homophones have different spellings.
A mantel is a shelf over a fireplace. It sounds the same as mantle, making these words homophones.
In writing, the spelling is different. Here’s your mnemonic device: 'mantel' and 'shelf' both have 'el' in them.
A mantle is a literal or metaphorical cloak, or anything that covers or blankets something else. Snow covering the ground makes for a poetic "mantle of white."
The song “My Christmas Tree” from the soundtrack to the movie Home Alone 2 is the only song I could find with a mantel in it. It was written by Jack Feldman, with composer Alan Menken, for the 1992 movie.
Stockings on the mantel
A wreath on the door
And my merriest Christmas
Means just one thing more
“Winter Wonderland” was written in the 1930s.
Over the ground lies a mantle of white
A heaven of diamonds shine down through the night
Two hearts are thrillin' in spite of the chill in
The weather
The next verse contains a line about love knowing no clime (not ‘climb’). This lyric in "Winter Wonderland," written by Richard Smith and composed by Felix Bernard, rhymes 'clime' with 'time' because climate and timate just . . . wouldn't really work?
Love knows no season
Love knows no clime
Romance can blossom any old time
Here in the open
We're walkin' and hopin'
Together
Here’s hopin’ and hoping your yuletide spellin’ and spelling bring you comfort and joy.