Monday, December 15, 2008

Christmas Decorating To Me

Most of my decorations are gifts that have been given to me over the years. So decorating is personal.
I have a few things that are particularly important to me because of the people who gave them to me.
This little nativity was given to me by a friend's mom about ten years ago. I have had other nativities but this one is special. I love the simple little pieces. It makes think happy thoughts every time I see it.
This village is definitely my favorite decoration. It is always in the first box opened and the last box put away. Jason got this for me for our first Christmas together. He bought it at a second hand store in North Carolina. I love the warm glow it gives the space. I have tried and tried to find more pieces but have never been able to.
The tree in the village was given to me by my mom my first Christmas away from home. She couldn't stand the thought of me not having a tree. I put it in my village because it just fits there. It is like my own little Rockefeller Center.
I have a few ornaments that are really important to me. This bell was giving to me by my Great Grandmother. She and Grandpa bought them when they were first married many many year ago. I haven't gotten it out the last couple of years. I was so afraid it would get broken. But this year I decided to bring it back out. If I waited for it to be safe to bring it out, I would never have it out again. I just threatened all in the house with certain death if they so much as look at it too hard.
My aunt and uncle always got my sister and me an ornament every year when we were kids. They were almost always these little brass ones with our names engraved on them. It was always a treat to see what they would send. One thing about them though is they hide in the branches. You have to take a flash light and poke around in the tree when you de-decorate or you are sure to miss one. My Dad once found one laying out in the yard in July.You have no idea how hard it was to not be in the reflection in this picture. It's embarrassing really.
My parents have decided to perpetuate the giving of ornaments. Every year they give the kids their own ornaments. I have almost as much fun as they do opening that gift.

So there you have it. A short tour of what Christmas decorating is to me.
What is your favorite decoration? I would love to hear about it.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love all your decorations! It was so fun to see them. I really like your Christmas Village that Jason got you, how sweet! My aunt always sets up this huge Christmas village at her house and it is so pretty I always wanted to start collecting one, maybe sometime in the future. My parents have the same brass type ornaments on their tree with our names engraved on them from when we were little kids! A lot of my decor is handed down from my mom so I love all of it too, it reminds me of Christmastime when I was little. It's hard to choose but one of my favorite decorations is probably this green antique Noel sign that was my Grandma's. Maybe i will send a pic...Sorry for the long comment, but I love Christmas and decorating! :) Have fun with all your company!!!

Anonymous said...

We have a minitree too, that belonged Brad's late grandfather. All the ornaments and everything are exactly as he left it when he died.

dlyn said...

My favorite are these two handmade ornaments with photos of funny looking kids on them - I've had them a long time. ;)

Flea said...

I love it! The village really is very warm and inviting. :) My favorite ornament - hard to say. My kids love the wooden Christmas train on the mantle.