Move over, Martha Stewart! Here comes the convertible, and look how decorative we are!Four people sent pictures with such lovely notes that I want to give each one a spotlight. Books all around. You get a book, and you get a book, and you....Everybody gets a book!
First up: Kirsten...
Hi Kathleen !
How are you. My family has the holiday tradition to wait with decorating the tree till the afternoon of December 24. So I can’t send you a picture of our tree as it isn’t up yet. We come together on the 24th to unpack the boxes with lots of eclectic ornaments collected over the years. There’s such a giddy and expectant atmosphere. Waiting so long I believe increases the excitement. We share stories often told : remember when… you made this when you were 6 years old … oh no not that ugly gift from auntie, do we have to include it?.... We also haven'tgot many lights outside. It is sadly not a possibility. A shame for I have seen many memorable shows in gardens close by and loved how it just screams Happy Holidays.
Often it’s difficult to ignore that call of Christmas that makes you want to run to the attic and pull out some sparkles or snow. So this year I was a little naughty and decorated our cabinet with early Christmas spirit. I hung up an angel. Picked a apple branch, tradition says it has to be on St. Barbara day dec. 4, placed it in a vase of water and it will bloom on Christmas day. As I was late I don’t know if it will make it but blossom is always beautiful even after xmas. I bought at Ikea a standard that holds some hearts a peace dove and pair of ice skates. Also a little gold star. In the middle is a chocolate wreath and green sprig with plaited bow. Added two candles and a vase with two (unfortunately fake but still) very pretty poinsettias. In the front I placed sparkling snowballs that won’t melt for years and years. Some snow at last for the weather has not provided it. I wrote it down on my wish list but alas. And a wooden box that has cross stitch xmas cookies on it. Like a gingerbread guy. A gift from my mother last year, despite her being in much pain she took the time and effort to make me this gift. Knowing how much it cost her I treasure it dearly.
I made the angel, hearts, skates and dove myself using a fabulous book of patterns by Tonne Finnanger. It was very fun and easy as I’m not usually so gifted with the needle. But if you ladies do not have the patterns and want to make a heart it’s easy. Any heart shape will do. (Cut two hearts out of a scrap of fabric and sew together. Turn inside out, stuff firmly close opening and sew thin ribbon as hanger in the middle. Decorate with button, glass beads or other fun trinket. Simple and super.) Mine did come out just like the pictures in the book. If I may say so myself without sounding arrogant I’m very proud of them. I have much more decorations and even some more handmade ones but they are still in their boxes. For we still go ahead with our tradition and leave the decorating of our tree till the day before Christmas. I’m really looking forward to it, fun and family time, what joy.
eere's Anna...This is a photo of our tree. The ornaments are mostly disney and we've been collecting them since the children were born. This year my son helped with the lights and my daughter helped put the thing together. The advent calendar on the wall is from our time in Hawaii and says Mele Kalikimaka, which means Merry Christmas. If you look out the windows you can see the first snowfall of this year, nothing like Michele's neck of the woods but pretty all the same. Our traditions are a bit different because we are military and usually travel back home for the holidays. We always put this tree up on Thanksgiving and take it down on New Years. While decorating we have snacks, chosen by the children, and watch movies, chosen by all. Hauling the boxes is Flyboy's job and he mutters (and curses) about too much stuff, but he still lets me have more. We decorate the entire livingroom and kitchen areas even if we aren't going to be home because the kids like it. The tree and household decorations are our constants during the holidays because everything else is changeable.
Dagmar on her adorable display...Our longtime friend Ca
ndace always does Christmas up big, bright and beautiful. Here's he
r tree ......and her
S
anta mantel.......and the piece de resistance
Candace's holiday dessert buffet!
All deliciously, meticulously home made. She hosts a party every year and bakes for days in preparation. Mmmm...
Happy holidays, everyone! Thank you for sharing your wonderful stories. God bless us, every one.
4 comments:
Gorgeous stuff, ladies! Now I'm really in the Xmas mood!
Love, love love seeing everyone's Christmas pretties!
Thanks for putting this up! My kids really had fun seeing their tree on the computer. They thought they were famous:)
Loved all the pics of the decorations..all looked festive. Merry Christmas. I can send pic but my hubby made our house in the woods into a gingerbread house with lights around the roof and all around the door and windows. so neat. susan L.
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