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 ~~~

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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.

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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?