Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Christmas Decorations!

Last weekend, I got my whole house decorated for Christmas. Inside and out!!! I don't usually get everything out before Thanksgiving, but this year, I decided that I wanted to enjoy myself during December and not be stressed with decorating. I was pooped last weekend, but now that it is done, I am so thrilled that I have that all behind me.

I have ALWAYS loved Christmas and everything that comes with it! I collect Santas and they are all over my house. My favorite Christmas item is my Nativity Scene that I got as a child. I remember Mom taking me to the five and ten cent store to purchase each piece. The pieces were made in Italy, but back when they were purchased over 50 years ago, only cost around 25 to 35 cents each.
This is another favorite Nativity Scene too. It was made at church by my girls when they were little. It is so precious to me, because they signed most of the pieces on the bottom. Each piece is made out of a block of wood and felt. This Nativity sits on the floor underneath the table where my other Nativity is.
I made this Christmas banner when I was a child. I loved making things like this when I was younger and I am so thrilled to have my handmade things to pass on to my own girls. Both of my Grandmothers taught me how to do handwork. This banner is made out of felt, sequins and beads.
An end table in my den. I love the Mary Engelbreit saying... For Christmas, give your heart! My Grandmother made the fabric tree. Adelaide made the little pottery glove. And I love the little pottery Nativity.
This is one of my many Santas. His vest is made from an old quilt. I made the cross stitched pillow many years ago.
This Santa is made out of a bowling pin. He sits by my front door. A friend of mine painted him for me. Isn't he cute?
I love Anna Lee figures and these are a few from my collection. I love my Santas!
This is a tree that is in my entry foyer. A lot of the ornaments are handmade. (Many of them I made). More Santas and his elves are on the banister. Santa even hangs his hat on the post.
My gold & white table in the living room. It looks like a hodge podge in the picture, but it really is pretty. My white/gold Santas, glass Nativity,trees, angels, ornaments, etc. In the very front is a baby Jesus that Adelaide made at church when she was just a toddler. Baby Jesus is a wooden icecream spoon.
I love this old Santa. It is hard to tell from the picture, but his coat is made out of an old quilt. He is sitting by a corner cabinet that was my Grandmother's. The chair he is sitting in is old too.
This is my Santa collection on the top of our entertainment unit in the den. I have loved collecting my Santas and many of them have wonderful stories behind them. My husband is a Postmaster, so a lot of my Santas are mail related. I try not to buy as many Santas anymore, but I can't resist. I usually have to add a few each year.
I made my carolers at church many, many years ago and they sing in the breakfast room.
My tree in the den. Again, a lot of these ornaments were made by me through the years. I crossed stitched the alphabet picture on the wall. I love it!
My mantel in the den. I knitted the stockings (all but the meow one).

Sorry for the picture overload, but I wanted to show lots of my things. I still have some other pictures, but I will wait and post those later. As you can see, I totally love Christmas and all that comes with it. We haven't put up our live tree yet.

I hope you have enjoyed my Christmas decorations! Christmas is such a joyous time of the year. The celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

15 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh...your home should be on like a Christmas tour! It is beautiful and you have so many amazing things!!

    If ya lived just a little closer I'd invite ya here for Thanksgiving! Have a blessed time this week end with your family.

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  2. I love all of your decorations. They are lovely and I loved hearing the stories about each of them, that's really what makes them special. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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  3. Melinda,
    Your home looks sooooo pretty with all your Christmas decor...love that tree in your foyer. I'm having an OPEN HOUSE linky party on the 9th...would love to have you come by and share your home. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  4. Melinda,
    Thanks for the tour ... you are ready this year! I love hearing the stories behind each piece. You have a great collection of Santas. Everything is just gorgeous!
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  5. Your house looks so cute! I'm so jealous that you got it all done. Wish I was. I saved some time by not decorating this Thanksgiving but now I have to go get the boxes and boxes of Christmas items out of storage.

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  6. Wow, your Christmas decorating is gorgeous ... and I love hearing the stories behind each piece. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

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  7. Melinda, job well done I have wanted to decorate but so much to do right now I promise the day after Thanksgiving out come the decorations. oxox, Diane

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  8. Oh my goodness, how gorgeous! I love the history behind everything! Yall are some talented ladies making all those ornaments and stitching! Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

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  9. Wow! You have so many decorations! I´m amazed. It all looks so tastefully arranged. Very nice. I love it.
    No wonder you were pooped. That´s a lot of work. I just started today with my decorations.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  10. Your decorations are awesome. What a neat collection. I just love those that bring back so many memories. Thanks for sharing the pics. You are doing good this Christmas, already decorated.

    Enjoy this wonderful season!!!!!!

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  11. Melinda, isn't it great to bring out all our treasures and display during the holiday season! You did a great job!

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  12. Your home just makes me giddy with excitement for Christmas. I love all your collections, you did a great job of bring the Christmas spirit into your home.

    I host a link party on Sundays called Sentimental Sunday and people link up sentimental things they decorate with, I would love it if you would link up some of your beautiful treasures for us all to see.

    God Bless,

    Cha Cha

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  13. I have the same Santa stocking knitted for me by my great grandma 40+ years ago. She taught me to knit and I have made so many stockings I forget how many! Love your pictures! Merry Christmas! Lisa

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  14. Melinda,
    I'm so happy that you came to my party...hope you are having a fun time here:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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