Familiar Things

 It's been fun to pull out dear familiar objects from the Christmas boxes. Decorating this time of the year is especially pleasurable. 

Old postcards, Christmas cards, flower frogs, ribbon, and ornaments have helped me with my decorating. If I had more spaces I would probably still be decorating.

Hoping to hop on here one more time before Christmas with a few more pictures and thoughts...

 

Decorating, Part 3

 Piling pretties in a wooden bowl is a fun way to decorate, and using dough bowls for centerpieces is a lovely way to show off seasonal decor.

This Christmas I chose for the nativity only Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.

The glass candle holder gives off this beautiful pattern when a votive is lit. 

My mother gave me this delicate ornament. I placed it on the metal piece to showcase its simple beauty.

My mother had a Santa collection, and this one was always my favorite.

Below is another scene on the bookcase.

The boy and girl in their snowsuits are two ornaments that are rarely hung on the Christmas tree because I like them on the shelf.

This year I have a new favorite ornament to cherish.

My friend Mary had it specially designed to look like us.

The next three I came across while thrifting/shopping.

Finally got around to making the outside look a little festive.

Hope these last few days before Christmas are filled with joyful anticipation.

Decorating, Part 2

A few more glimpses of Christmas decor...

This banner hangs above dining room windows.

This wood piece displays a collection of small trees. It is high up above the front window in the living room.

This green chest has plenty of drawers for Christmas treasures.

 

Tallulah and Etta have a couple of presents under the Christmas tree.

Hope they will hang those little felt reindeer on their tree.

The two photos above show Christmas displays on the bookcase in the front entry. I think every shelf is loaded down with Christmas items that hold memories.

This feather tree in a guest bedroom has tiny French horns.

The photos at the base are family photos from past Christmases. 

The kitchen window

Red and green always looks good at Christmas.

  Christmas balls end up here and there.

This miniature tea set is a sweet one for Christmas.

These little sets were once very popular.

There may be one more installment of Decorating for Christmas. I'd like to share a few more nooks and crannies as well as a selection of ornaments. 

Decorating for Christmas, Part 1

The wreaths  are old; the countdown display is new.

Decorating the house for Christmas is one of the joys of the season. I try to use a mix of old and new possessions. This year I am happy with the mantel. The garland idea came from a picture of Tasha Tudor's mantel. Les and Pennee were here the day after Thanksgiving  to help set up trees and hang the garland. 

The silver reindeer is a new purchase from Abandoned Antiques.

The silver aluminum tray belonged to my grandmother.

White bowl with pinecone design was purchased years ago in Covington, TN.

The pitcher was a souvenir buy from Granville, TN.

The red lantern was a thrifting find.

*A closeup view
One Granville shop had a wall of decanters for sale. Each one was priced at twenty dollars. I couldn't resist this handsome one with all the animals. 

 

This tree has treasured ornaments that I enjoy every year.

Usually I have the houses atop a tall bookcase, but decided they could be seen better on top of the piano.

 

The hall tree has hooks that help display the bells.

 

These slender ceramic trees may stay out long after Christmas. I am smitten by their shapes. Hobby Lobby had these and all sorts of decorative trees.

It's obvious I love decorating for Christmas. More to come... 

I'm Done!

With a few changes I'm finally done. I woke up very early Wednesday morning and took down a display on top of the refrigerator. I was not pleased with the way it turned out so down it came. 

Presents for Tallulah and Etta

I tried a cluster of ornaments and liked the look so well I did two more for the living room tree. The sheer red and green ribbons I had saved came in handy. 

Soon I will put out the Christmas placemats.

These containers of Shiny Brites are perennial favorites.

The ribbon tree was a gift from a friend.

The green one I once placed in my mother's nursing home room.

I attached the tag that read

Thank You,

Mom, for lots

of Christmas memories. We

love you today

and every day.

The white one I found at a thrift store in Covington last year.

It seemed to go with the cotton in the picture. 

 

I like to decorate the organ top in the same way year after year.

There is a small tree in the garage room. It has only lights and two strands of garland. You can't tell it from the pictures, but that garland is absolutely beautiful.

Since we play Dirty Santa in the garage after our big Christmas Eve meal, I wanted that room to have a festive look, too. 

I'll end tonight's post with a few ornaments. This first one is new this year.

It came from a dollar store in Munford. I wanted it for the word COZY.

The shine sparkle twinkle ornament is a cute one from Les and Pennee.

And you know why I chose this one.