Decorating for Christmas has evolved over the years. We dearly love Christmas! I grew up in a home that celebrated Christmas in a big way. My parents always made the holidays very special for their four children. On Christmas Eve the very excited children tried to go to sleep when told, but the excitement was too much. Even after falling asleep, we managed to wake well before dawn. Some years, Santa was just leaving our home! I don't know how he managed, but he also decorated our Christmas tree! Daddy would bring home a tree on his way home from work. We always had a cedar that he cut down himself. So Christmas eve was spent putting the tree in the corner of the living room, but not decorating it! Thinking about that always amazes this grown up woman. Some years bicycles had to be assembled or other toys put together. We didn't care as children as it all came together just like the magic that only Santa brings.
This old Santa is the same age as me. My Daddy bought him for me when I was a baby. He also has a windup music box inside that no longer works.
Old ornaments from both Grayden's family and my family now fill our tree.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, dear readers!
Beautiful, and more so that you have many inherited ornaments as well as memories. Santa needs a trip to "The Repair Shop" {do you have that, maybe on PBS?} I wonder if the sleepless night of excitement along with the early start has more to do with the post Christmas dinner than the over indulgence of food?
ReplyDeleteWishing you, Grayden, and your Family a Wonderful Happy Christmas from Wales. Nadolig Llawen xoxo
Deb, we don't have the show you mentioned, my friend. This old Santa was loved by all the children in our family as I was growing up. He's showing wear and tear, but I still adore him. Christmas dinner was enjoyed on Christmas Day in our home, but I'm sure we were full of all the goodies that were around in the days prior to Christmas Eve.
DeleteBlessings and love to you this Christmas! Nadolig Llawen to you as well! xoxo
Wow -- that's intense for Santa -- putting together toys AND decorating a tree! I love that you have ornaments from your families and the memories they bring. It's the same here. I hope you have a gorgeous holiday season, Martha Ellen. One that is as beautiful as your home. (And boy, that tree is stunning!)
ReplyDeleteJeanie, I can hardly believe all the work Santa did for me and my siblings! These memories come flooding like they do for you, friend.
DeleteMay this be a beautiful Christmas for you!
Martha Ellen, I loved the story of your Dad bringing home a Christmas tree every year that he cut down himself. I'm thinking that up here you have to do that also - get a permit and cut one down yourself the old fashioned way, which is wonderful also. I'm just curious why you didn't decorate your tree right away? Did the children end up decorating it? That old Santa with the rosy cheeks is a treasure. And the old ornaments of both families are so special. The candle holder is sweet with a nice sentiment. Your Christmas tree is lovely sitting in the corner of the room.
ReplyDeleteHave a merry December week, Martha Ellen.
~Sheri
Sheri, that would be fun for you and your son to cut your own tree this year! Santa always decorated our Christmas tree when we were little. I can hardly believe all the work he did in just a few hours! When we were older we all decorated the tree together.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family!
Oh I loved the story you told today! Santa was something else, wasn't he??? He has it easier these days! Have a cozy evening, my friend.
ReplyDeleteSanta Claus certainly was something else!
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family!
I love that Santa and the beautiful ornaments. It sure brings back good memories for me too. Holiday hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteMemories seem to flood us this time of year, don't they?
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family!
How wonderful to have loving parents who made you feel so special. I daresay that my father never described my sister nor me as angels. 😁 I'm glad that your dad did! I love that final photo of your dining room. It is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteVee, my Daddy was a softie. If I'm honest, he didn't always refer to us as angels! We certainly could try his patience.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family!
Love your special Christmas decorations and your parents sentiment behind them. So sweet. How wonderful to spend a week with your family for Christmas. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ellen. I'm so thankful I grew up in a household full of love. Have a wonderful Christmas!
DeleteI loved your memories of Christmas Martha Ellen :) That Santa is a very special treasure, as are the old ornaments from both your families, along with the candle holder with its special meaning. I have wonderful memories of helping Mum hang balloons and multi colored streamers from the ceiling :) We all woke up way before dawn on Christmas Day. And yes, far too excited to sleep. Your home is decorated beautifully and I thank you so much for sharing the joy. Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year to you and your Loved Ones :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. I think it's wonderful that you too have great memories with your Mum hanging balloons and multi colored streamers from the ceiling at Christmas! It makes me happy to hear about this tradition in your home as a child. As the years go by, those memories are precious. Happy Christmas to you and your family, dear Denise!
DeleteThank you Martha Ellen, so sweet of you :) I am popping over to wish you and your dear family A Very Happy New Year! May you all have many blessings in 2022 ❤️
DeleteI love your Christmas decorations, Martha Ellen! Your Christmas home is full of special memories, as well as love past and present! What a treasure that Santa is! It must make your heart skip a beat when you get it out each year. Same with the "three angels"!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours as you celebrate Emmanuel -- God With Us!
Cheryl, the older I get the more those memories of the past Christmases fill my heart with joy. Anticipating new memories each year leads to more excitement for this grandmother!
DeleteThank you as always for visiting and sharing your thoughts and kindnesses with me. Love to you and Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you! Memories of Christmas past treasures are the best to have at Christmas. It seems there was more magic when I was younger than what the little ones experience now. I love your pretty vintage ornaments and your tree is so very pretty at your window. A cedar tree is what Mama would chop down from the forest at our home every year and it was so pretty with the lights showing through those open branches. Such a sweet post and enjoyed seeing your treasures from your Christmases. I like your blogger header design.
ReplyDeleteBetsy, I know what you mean about the magic of past Christmases when we were younger. I still feel the excitement through my grandchildren, though they are now older! That's so nice you had a cedar tree that your Mama would cut down for Christmas---And the fragrance was like no other! Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family!
DeleteWonderful Christmas memories!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to remember these times, Cathy.
DeleteWell how lucky you are to have these treasures! I love your Santa just the way he is! We do have Dan’s teddy bear but that’s it. Wishing you a Joyous Holiday!
ReplyDeleteThese old treasures of the past are meaningful. That's wonderful you have Dan's teddy bear. I'm sure he was loved to still be around! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Liz!
DeleteSo many fond memories. love your treasured pieces. Love enjoying Christmas while I was a child. Lots of sweet memories. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I'm so happy to hear you have sweet memories of Christmas past. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
DeleteChristmas is such a special time.
ReplyDeleteYour decorations look lovely.
We too are looking forward to spending time with family over Christmas and New Year.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
All the best Jan
Jan, I'm so glad you and your family will gather over Christmas and New Years. Family times are just the best any time, but especially at Christmas. Enjoy every precious moment!
DeleteSo pretty! Happy New Year, dear Martha Ellen!
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo