Today I thought I would take you on a tour of our living room all decked out for the Christmas season. But first, let's look at Bob's and my very first Christmas tree. The year was 1958, we had been married 3 months and we were poor college students. We probably paid $1 for the fresh tree, and then bought one red ball to write the date on. We strung popcorn and cranberries and called it good. Those red blobs are some red net doodads I made.
Now, 51 years later the tree is basically the same - just more loaded and bigger. There are now 52 red balls with the year written on them, plus other ornaments with meaning that have been added over the years. I guess I don't decorate, I accumulate. That pretty well sums up my whole decorating philosophy - Christmas or anytime.
In the mosaic below on the upper right, you can see that 1958 ball.
We have been putting up a second tree for about 20 years now after we inherited Christmas ornaments from our families. This tree contains only blown glass ornaments - some old, and some new from travels and friends.
The huge (about 8" in diameter) green mercury glass ball below was made in Belgium and belonged to my parents.
Bob started the Hummel Nativity set for me 41 years ago. That Christmas he gave me Mary and Baby Jesus. He then added to the set piece by piece as finances allowed.The Hummel Madonna and Child belonged to my mother.
The grandkids came home with us after church on Sunday. They were so quiet after lunch, I thought I should check on them. They were busy decorating the doll house!
I was happy to see that they considered the whole family around the table as part of the Christmas celebration.
What a joy it is to celebrate the Christmas season.
I'm linking this post to The Nester's Tour of Homes
and to the Deck the Halls Tuesday party at Thoughts from over the Rainbow.
Also, I'm linking to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch
for Metamorphosis Monday and to Mary's Mosaic Monday at
Little Red House,
So many parties to attend, but be sure to stop by these blogs for a whole lot of Christmas joy.
26 comments:
I love your dates on the glass balls! I got my nativity the same way. Early in our marriage we got the initial nativity for our Precious Moments set. Year by year as we could afford it we added more pieces until it filled the table I put it on. I like your saying too bz I tend to not decorate but accumulate! Cindy
Sally- I try not to be envious when I see all the beautiful heirlooms you show us!! All those mercury ornaments- so beautiful!
I love the way you used a red ball each year to remember each Christmas!
How fun that you even have Christmas things for the doll house- what a great Grammie!!
Working on our 500 newsletters- why don't I do this earlier?????
blessings
mary
How pretty! Your tree looks so nice. I love the popcorn garland!
I have childhood memories (ouch, painful memories) of stringing popcorn with my mom for our tree. Happy Holidays! ~Lisa
Some traditions are definitely worth keeping. I love your festive photos and mosaics ... the Hummels remind me of my mom's collection ... something I treasure to this day.
Hugs and blessings,
My Mosaic Monday
Hi!
Beautiful ornaments and memories! Have a great day!
Sherrie
A View of My Life
http://splummer-aviewofmylife.blogspot.com/2009/12/mosaic-monday_14.html
Oh, I think the traditional part of Christmas is held close to our hearts. It is wonderful that we all can hold an ornament in our hands and see visions of the past....I just love that.
Merry Christmas!
That was a lot .... of different ornaments! Lovely!
Oh, Sally, everything is so beautiful! I love all your pretty vintage things! What treasures!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
it is all just so lovely!!! I love touring everyone's homes at Christmas!
We married in 1958 too, but you took much better care of your ornaments than I did. I have none left! Thanks for sharing--especially that gorgeous nativity.
HI Sally !
I love your picture of your first little tree and the one today - so special ! I wish I thought of doing a ball written with each year - that is extra special ! Having a second tree is fun too ! Loved the tour and I wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas !
Kammy
The decorated table in the doll house is just tooooooo cute! I just love that. What a memory!
What wonderful collections you have..I love the idea of the red ball ornaments every year!!
Oh, I loved your post! Your trees are beautiful! The red ball tradition is so touching! My inlaws have a hummell nativity scene. They collected theirs the same way you did. Everything is perfect! Your grandkids must be pretty special! God Bless! Lauralu :)
Hi Sally...
Ohhh my...your Christmas trees are beautiful, my friend! You have sooo many pretty ornaments! I remember you telling about your first red ball ornament with the date written on it...last Christmas! I find that sooo endearing, my friend!!! Thank you for sharing your very first tree with us too...I think it was adorable!!!
Ohhh...I love the Christmas vignette that you created using that big, beautiful green mercury glass ball! The pretty gold finials are gorgeous too! That's just such a beatufiul setting! Wow...I am in awe over your Hummel nativity! It's sooo beautiful and how sweet of your honey to have started that collection for you...and continues to add to it!
Well Grandma...I think the best photo of all is of your sweet grandchildren busy at play...decorating your doll house for Christmas! That's just sooo sweet!!! And...of course these are the things that Christmas memories are made of!!!
Thank you so much for sharing all of your Christmas pretties with us...I soooo enjoyed them!!! So happy to hear from you today! What a blessing to have your entire family home and together for Christmas!!! Enjoy, Dearheart!!!
Love ya,
Chari
Your trees are very beautiful. I love all the old ornaments. I really enjoyed your post:)
Hi Dear Sally! Oh, as a little girl growing up in Alabama, we often had white Christmases. I'm sure your snow is so lovely! Just so special at Christmastime.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Sally, Your popcorn garland tree is just loaded with beautiful ornaments from the past years. I will tell my son that he should date an ornament ball every year for his trees once he has a bride. What a lovely idea...
I love your blown glass ornament tree, too. And your nativity set is something to really treasure. Hope you are having a fun time decorating for the holidays. It sure looks as if you are!
~ Sue
Love your trees, and your pretty ornaments. Have a very Merry Christmas.
I love your red balls for your tree, the sentiment is wonderful. Pretty presentation.
Merry Christmas ~
TTFN ~Marydon
**NEW BLOG**
blushingrosetoo.blogspot.com
Beautiful mercury glass ornaments! I think it is a sweet idea to date a red ornament each year. What a wonderful tradition.
I love both of your trees. It's great that each year you get a red ball & write the year on it. That is a good idea. Thanks for sharing with us. Both trees are just beautiful.
Your tree looks beautiful, and I love that your grands decorated the doll house for Christmas. laurie
I love the doll house decorations!! I am stopping in from Nester's Tour. If you would like to see my tour posts you can click on the 'Christmas 2009' tag on the left sidebar of my blog. Have a great holiday season!
I love this Sally...and I am a sucker for a doll house too! What fun! I am playing catch up and apologize for being so awful at commenting of late. : (
I will go look and read some more but did want to say
I will be thinking about you and am sending you and your precious family lots of wishes for a sweet day...
Merry Christmas dear friend...
Love,
Sue
Still making the Christmas rounds... but I am in love with your tree... all those years with a red ornament for each, what a beautiful testament to your life. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home!
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