Christmas Joys #16 - Some Treasured Decorations from My Childhood

This little Santa and the two ornaments came home with me one day; they used to be part of the Christmas decorations that my mother loved to display when I was a child in the 50's.  I miss her especially at Christmastime; she found great joy in decorating and buying gifts for her five children.  Now, of course, I know how much work it took to make a beautiful Christmas look effortless.  I like to display these ornaments with Mary Engelbreit magazines (no longer in publication) because they so often remind me of those earlier Christmases.

The two Santa mugs were also from our childhood Christmases.  I like to display them with this version of Twas the Night Before Christmas with illustrations by Jessie Willcox Smith.  While the cover has a 50's feel to it, Miss Smith was famous for painting children for magazines such as Harper's and Ladies Home Journal, and especially covers of Good Housekeeping until 1933.  She died in 1935, but her work has remains popular even today.

 I hope that you will continue to join me throughout the month of December as I post about some special decorations, traditions, collections and memories that bring the joy of the season to our house. Perhaps you will want to respond with your own story or comment about what brings happiness to your heart at Christmas. I would love to hear from you and look forward to sharing a bit of Christmas! Annie

Christmas Joys #16 - Our Living Room Mantel (or is it Mantle?)

My daughter gave me these two Santas when I first began my collection and they have appeared in various places in our home during the Christmas season.  The past few years, that place has been on the mantel and I have added bronze, gold and maroon ornaments that coordinate with the Santas.  I am happy to learn that these colors are fashionable now -- I am very seldom on the fashion curve!

 I hope that you will continue to join me throughout the month of December as I post about some special decorations, traditions, collections and memories that bring the joy of the season to our house. Perhaps you will want to respond with your own story or comment about what brings happiness to your heart at Christmas. I would love to hear from you and look forward to sharing a bit of Christmas! Annie

p.s.  Since I posted this, I have seen two spellings for the word "mantel/mantle".  I haven't been able to figure out which is preferred. 

Christmas Joys #13 - Retro Santa and Mrs. Claus

Santa and Mrs. Claus have a place of honor on top of the shelves in my office.  They belonged to Tom's Aunt Betty, who was like his second mom.  We put them next to the Mary Engelbreit mailbox so that they can keep up with all the Christmas letters Santa will receive.

I hope that you will continue to join me throughout the month of December as I post about some special decorations, traditions, collections and memories that bring the joy of the season to our house. Perhaps you will want to respond with your own story or comment about what brings happiness to your heart at Christmas. I would love to hear from you and look forward to sharing a bit of Christmas! Annie

Christmas Joys #9 and #10 - Using Cloches for Holiday Decorating

I enjoy experimenting the use of cloches or other glass pieces to cover Christmas display items.  The two examples I'm showing feature two versions  The Night Before Christmas with items from my "little house" collection and from my Santa Claus collection.  You will find many more beautiful decorations using cloches by visiting Marty at A Stroll Through Life.  After you've looked at Marty's gorgeous display, scroll down and follow the links at the bottom of the page for many wonderful ideas.

I hope that you will continue to join me throughout the month of December as I post about some special decorations, traditions, collections and memories that bring the joy of the season to our house. Perhaps you will want to respond with your own story or comment about what brings happiness to your heart at Christmas. I would love to hear from you and look forward to sharing a bit of Christmas! Annie

Christmas Joys #8 - A Sooner Christmas!

I must confess that I've always been a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas decorations.  I have never had a themed wreath or tree, although I have seen several that were beautiful, whimsical or just plain cute.  Now we are the proud owners of an OU Christmas wreath, a gift from Tom's daughter and son-in-law, and I think that it is adorable.  My kitchen is decorated mostly in red and white for the holidays, and it fits perfectly there.  This is one wreath that will be hung year after year, and will continue to have a place of honor on New Year's Day, when OU plays in the Fiesta Bowl.  (We are also looking forward to a return to the national championship one of these days!)

I hope that you will continue to join me throughout the month of December as I post about some special decorations, traditions, collections and memories that bring the joy of the season to our house. Perhaps you will want to respond with your own story or comment about what brings happiness to your heart at Christmas. I would love to hear from you and look forward to sharing a bit of Christmas! Annie

Christmas Joys #7 - A Favorite Christmas Book

Christmas books are among my favorite collections and I have found many of the illustrations to be just the right decorating touch. for the holidays and other times of the year.  Jan Brett is a favorite children's book illustrator and her Christmas Treasury contains a beautiful presentation of "A Partridge in a Pear Tree", which complements my pear, pomegranate and hydrangea holiday arrangement.

I hope that you will continue to join me throughout the month of December as I post about some special decorations, traditions, collections and memories that bring the joy of the season to our house. Perhaps you will want to respond with your own story or comment about what brings happiness to your heart at Christmas. I would love to hear from you and look forward to sharing a bit of Christmas! Annie

Christmas Joys #6 - Our Tiny Kitchen Christmas Tree

This little tree came from Hobby Lobby and is wrapped in burlap.  The snow people can be made to glow with tea lights.  I love the Santa tray, a gift from my daughter, and the miniature Christmas books -- the smallest members of my holiday book collection.

I hope that you will join me throughout the month of December as I post about some special decorations, traditions, collections and memories that bring the joy of the season to our house. Perhaps you will want to respond with your own story or comment about what brings happiness to your heart at Christmas. I would love to hear from you and look forward to sharing a bit of Christmas! Annie

Christmas Joys #5 - Some More Special Tree Ornaments

As you can tell, our Christmas tree has quite a "symphony" of decorations, but none are more important to me than those that were made by hand by my children.  The paper and beaded candy canes and the felt horse were added to our ornament collection about twenty-five years ago and share the stage with more "elegant" ornaments such as the dated 1981 Dove of Peace.  The little knitted jingle bell is one of several and is also beginning to show some age.
When we downsized our home, we also had to reduce the size of our tree, which makes it necessary to snuggle the ornaments more closely.

I hope that you will join me throughout the month of December as I post about some special decorations, traditions, collections and memories that bring the joy of the season to our house. Perhaps you will want to respond with your own story or comment about what brings happiness to your heart at Christmas. I would love to hear from you and look forward to sharing a bit of Christmas! Annie