Merry, Merry, Merry!

We've been busy decking the halls around here, so I thought I would show you a few of my favorite holiday things.  We celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah in our family, so our decorations are a combination of the two.  I like pretty, but I am also a fan of whimsy, so fun or fancy, our collection is eclectic.
  


We usually have a real tree, but I decided to go with an artificial one this year.  I'm pleased with how it turned out.

I get a new dated ornament each year.  I bought our 2011 ornament from Cynde's Minis on Etsy.  Check her out;  she has such cute things!

I started collecting in 1977, the first Christmas I didn't live with my parents.  For a long time I only had dated satin balls, but about 15 years ago they became harder to find, so I branched out to a variety of ornaments.  A few have broken along the way, but I have most of them from the last 35 years.  I am very careful with the most special (Baby's First, etc.) and the more fragile ones, so they don't go on the tree anymore.

        These two baskets house most of the precious ornaments
        that I worry might be damaged if one of the cats decided
        it was irresistible to play with them.  They are displayed on
        a shelf above our living room window, one of the few places
        in the house that is not cat accessible.

 

Most of the more recent ones hang on the tree.
 

2009



2010

 

I lollygagged around in 2007, then couldn't find one to
hang on the tree, so I ended up with a bell that year. 

 


These four silly little ornaments are special to me.  They were a cheapy impulse purchase, near the check out, a year or so before my husband passed away in 2001.  I love that I can still hang ornaments for the four of us on the tree.



This angel is a favorite, but she is fairly heavy and I usually have difficulty
hanging her.  No problem this year - score one for the artificial tree!



I have a whole set of these lovely ladies.  Oh look,
I believe that's 1999 lurking in the background.



Here we have Old Glory, which we bought in 2001, and of course, Santa Jack.



L'ange Magnifique

 

Frosty sings and is
cute as can be. 
If I can figure out
how to get a video
off my camera
and on to here, he'll
give you a show.



  


 


 






Some friends gave us this antique piano about 15 years ago; it is one of my favorite pieces of furniture.  My research shows it to be a little over 100 years old.  It doesn't play very well anymore, but that's okay, neither do I.  Most of the year it sports family photos, but it's so fun to dress it up at Christmas! 

  

Here is a closer view of the village that's on top of the
piano.  This is the church with a tiny Nativity in front of it.



Veering back to whimsy, this little guy amuses me.  He used to oink
"We Wish You a Merry Christmas."  Sadly, he is a silent singer now.

Then there is Mr. and Mrs. Santa sitting pretty, in the midst of a Christmas
tree, our Menorah, and a Hanukkah Scentsy.  I did mention things were eclectic.

A Hanukkah decoration
I made for my
daughter last year.



The reason for the season.








 

My mother gave me this ceramic tray just a few weeks
ago.  I think the blue really pops against the other colors.

This is one of my treasures; it was made by my elementary school principal.   
My mother bought it at the school's annual craft fair about 30 years ago.

 

Last, but not least, this is Oliver.  He has been supervising our operations.

I hope you have enjoyed our little tour.  How is your Christmas season going?

I'm Christmas partying with:
Debbydoo's Newby Party
Type A's Anything Goes Party
Creative Blogger's Party and Hop
Holly Bloggy Christmas Home Tour