Wednesday 21 December 2016

Christmas Traditions Part 2

I want to share with you some more Christmas decorating traditions in our home. I always create what I call a "gold display" somewhere in my home, usually in the livingroom which feels a bit more formal (though, nothing is seriously formal in this house!).


This display features two tall gold-coloured pillar candle stick holders, two reindeer, a sleigh with assorted balls, beads, and sprays, a large glass vase with burgundy, gold and green balls in it, and a Santa figurine.

Another display is created on a shelf that I clear on one of our bookshelves (that the husband made, he's very handy). This one has an old-fashioned vibe to it.


The main figure is that of a resting Santa beside a phonograph player (which unfortunately broke off years ago). My mother gave each of us the same Santa. She did that a lot when we got older. If she found something good, she bought four of them and gave us each one. There are also snowmen and Victorian looking children that have a bit of a sparkle to them. Propped up as a backdrop are two vintage books. My husband always read The Night Before Christmas to our kids on Christmas Eve.

I've written about our village already. I really wanted to cut back on the decorating this year because I'm working almost right up until Christmas and have been rather busy with things, but sixteen year old son said we had to have the village again this year. (It's funny, you don't think they care about these things until you don't do them anymore). So, this year my husband and son actually carried down the multiple boxes which contain the village, the "snow", and figures and the lights and they cleared the shelves from the sideboard and created the village.


I noticed yesterday that the lights in the Christmas Shop (in the bottom row) aren't on. Maybe business has been slow and they couldn't pay their electricity bill! There are even traditions having to do with the village itself. There is a Santa figure and it ALWAYS has to go in the pavilion (behind the bridge).

Our Christmas tree must be real. There would be mutiny if it was an artificial tree. We almost always go together to pick out a tree. Over the years, we have occasionally gone to cut our own tree as well. That was always fun. When we get it home, my husband cuts a bit of the trunk off at the bottom so the tree will "drink" the water better. He fixes it into the stand. I put on the lights. Our daughter usually does the beads. I continue with the ribbon, and then all four of us put on the ornaments. We have collected so many pretty ornaments that we don't even put them all on anymore. My husband jokes that we need a second tree. He, in fact, is often the one to buy a few new ornaments each year.





Tonight I will be baking. How about you? Are you all prepared? Are you a real tree family, or artificial? Do your children still ask for certain holiday traditions?

20 comments:

  1. Everything is just beautiful. This was the first year I put ribbon on our tree. Usually we use silver garland but the cat likes to eat it and I couldn't find any this year!

    Do you have a tree topper?

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    1. We have an angel as a tree topper. We are waiting for our daughter to return home from university so she can put it on (another tradition). We have never used tinsel or garland because I've always been worried that a cat would eat it! They'd have to work pretty hard to eat the ribbon that I use. -Jenn

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    2. Putting the angel on in our family has the same tradition. It rotates each year between the children.

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  2. I remember having beads on our tree when I was a kid. I wish I could find some to put on my tree.
    Baking the tourtiers tonight and another batch of whipped shortbread. I think that is going to be the end of the baking. I don't want to go overboard like other years and end up tossing it out because no one wanted to eat it.

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    1. I can't even imagine throwing out Christmas baking! But then again, I have no self control and would eat it myself.

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  3. Great photos, Jenn! I just put up an artificial tree but once the lights are lit it's decorated it's hard to tell. My baking is done and I just wrapped the last gifts tonight - just a few groceries to pick up early on Friday. Then the marathon meal on Sunday!

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  4. Your decorations are beautiful! What a lovely collection. I especially love that village display. I used to have one when the girls were young but we've moved several times since then and sadly it's all gone. This is the first year we didn't put up a tree. No kids in the house this year!

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    1. Oh that makes me sad. No tree? Not even a little one?

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  5. Yes to cooking and traditions too. I love that your husband and son did the village. One of my house lights is out too. Next year, I'll remember to check out and put in the lights first thing. It looks beautiful there.

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  6. Love it when the kids insist on stuff you thought they'd never even noticed before. Beautiful decorations.

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  7. You have real treasures Jenn. Just beautiful! I love hearing everyone's traditions. Wishing you a Merry Christmas Day!

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  8. Jenn, All your decorations are beautiful. I like that your mom bought one for each child...I do that too. I have to say your village is so adorable. I would sit and look at it and dream as a child. Blessings to all at your house. xoxo, Susie
    p.s. Merry Christmas.

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  9. Wow! Gorgeous tree -- looks spectacular! And isn't it glorious for the kids to have their own things they do on it? I love the vintage books and you remind me I have to pull out my children's books for Christmas! (There's always something you forget! Next year and after, that'll probably be the first!).

    It's all lovely in every single way. You will have such a lovely Christmas. All the best merry wishes to you.

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  10. That's a nice village. My 13 yr. old son always insists on our village as well. We have a real tree whose decorations get edited every year and I usually put up an artificial one that is red and gold, but I ran out of time this year.

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  11. Beautiful - Merry Christmas and a happy Yule to you and yours.
    the Ol'Buzzard

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  12. I like your gold display - it's very elegant without being fussy. I could make several comments about Ontario Hydro for your Christmas village shop - I will say no more.
    For me the Christmas tree is the centre of all celebrations & decorations but alas we are of the artificial tree camp & yes I try to buy at least 1 new ornament each year, something to reflect what has gone on or special event in the year. Happy Christmas

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  13. Jenn. HA! Mutiny if it's a fake tree- I agree! Although I do use a few feather trees and a Charlie Brown tree, the main focus has to be REAL.... cuz it smells so good. Your gold decor is very elegant and it there is something very sweet about the little villages, I love those. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family around your REAL tree!

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  14. Your Christmas decorations are magical !
    I especially love your little lighted village, it so reminds me of home :)
    Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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