Tuesday 13 December 2016

Christmas Countdown, Traditions and Trivia Day Thirteen

Hello Friends!

We're over half way to Christmas now ~ half way through December, that is. Here is today's Advent picture and scripture ~~~


~~~~~

For today's Traditions and Trivia I will turn it over to you. I've been asked by a few of you if I'll share some images of some of my ornaments, so I'm doing this today instead of research ~~~ so if you'd like to, why not tell me some of your traditions in the comments box? I'd love to read what you do too!

I used to decorate all out for Christmas and have quite a collection of ornaments, some vintage, some new {or they were new 30 years ago which makes them almost vintage now} and many handmade ones. I used to decorate one large, two medium, and several miniature trees each year, but have pared it all back since Mum can't cope with it all. So, this year I have just decorated my mantel and a shelf or two {I'm still decorating, by the way} to give a little Christmas cheer to the living room only.  Here are a few of my particular favourite ornaments ~~~

Let's start with the Crib. This is almost as old as I am, and I know many of us have one. Inexpensive, mine came from the long~gone traditional newsagent that stood on the bottom of the village square for decades. It was bought for me by my dear Nanna, and it has travelled the world with me in my hand luggage because if I only have one decoration at Christmas, this is it ~~~


Now on to some of my David Winter Cottages and Shoemaker Cottages which I bring out at Christmas ~~~










and some Cherished Teddies, which I used to collect at one time ~~~




some miscellaneous Santas ~~~




I made this from cotton paper pressed into a cookie mold

and the few of my snow globes that I have found {the box with the remainder is still waiting to be found, maybe one of the Yuletide Lads took it as he left last year!} ~~~


My Corn Angel tree topper ~~~


A Thomas Kincaide Tree ~~~ large enough for my small cottage ~~~



and a small stack of Christmas books {and a few that aren't Christmas but have Christmas things in them}


It isn't much this year, but it does bring an air of festiveness to the cottage for my visitors and guests.
~~~~~
Tonight's Yuletide Lad is Gully Gawk, or Giljagaur.  This Lad lurks in dark corners around Icelandic farms waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the cowshed and skim froth from the pails of milk.  So, tonight, two of the Yuletide Lads are abroad in the villages and farmsteads!

Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xoxo

p.s. don't forget to share some of your traditions, will you?

6 comments:

  1. Deb, your Christmas villages are charming. I too have many things that never make it out each Christmas. My villages are stored downstairs. They take up so much room that it is not feasible to put them out. As our family has grown, I have to make room for them and not decorations.
    Both of our children and grandchildren come for a stay on Christmas. We have a big dinner and Grayden's sister and brother-in-law come for the day as well. We open gifts, eat and enjoy games with everyone. Then while the family is still here we host another dinner with the extended family. Our home is literally bursting at the seams. But, it is wonderful to get together. I think the best part of our traditions is getting together.
    Now, hopefully the Yuletide Lads don't read and come for my decorations! xoxo ♥

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    1. Thank you Martha Ellen. We sound as if we have the same dilemma. I have many decorations that have not seen the light of day for a few years, many that are Hallmark collectibles, including a full set of the Twelve Days of Christmas which I began collecting in about 1983/4.
      Christmas at your home sounds wonderful, family definitely comes before decorations, and bursting at the seams for a lovely family Christmas sounds just perfect to me.
      ~~~Deb xoxo

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  2. Such lovely, whimsical decorations! I love your cottages in particular. Now that we are in a new house, I want to start collecting for future years. Merry Christmas, Debs! Susan Morgon

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    1. Thank you Susan. A new house and new traditions ~ how exciting for you and it sounds as if you'll have a special place for each new collection!
      ~~~Deb xo

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing. A really lovely post so full of Christmas cheer and it has certainly raised my spirits. I love the little nativity scene your nanna bought you and the houses and teddies are all wonderful too. I aLways enjoy seeing other people's favourite books and yours is a super selection.

    We get out the same Christmas decorations we have had for years although each year I add something new even if it is only a Christmas Tree Decoration. We tend just to decorate the one room with the tree (full of so many favourite tree decorations including some my son and daughter made at school quite a few years ago!) and I bought back from my mothers one or two of hers. I always have a real wreath on the front door and sometimes we bring in the real Christmas tree in its pot from the garden and put that in the porch.

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    1. Thank you, it's a lot of fun sharing traditions. I sometimes do a door wreath, but am not a natural arranger of flowers and greenery.

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