Decked Out
You know how I previously said that I wanted to experience a flocked tree at least once in life?
Well, see? It turns out that once you've gone flocked, you're not going back. I've decided.
{And yes, since some folks have asked, let me assure you that this is a REAL live Christmas tree. It's a noble fir. We have to water it and worry about fires and mites and all that good stuff. It's great.}
But boy...does she shine or what? Decked out with all our Christmas ornaments. I love it. I had no idea what a difference the flocking can make. Our Advent season is off to a great start in every way.
Yes, Advent. A lovely part of Christmastime that we observe as part of the man-created church calendar, in anticipation of the big 25th. In our house, we decorate for the Christmas season and observe Advent, despite some liturgical worshippers thinking it can't be done. Justin and I think it's best to keep Christmastime Christ-centered, attending Advent services and looking forward to His second coming {there's been lots of that lately}, while also not nitpicking or criticizing others about home decor and carols. In fact, I enjoy seeing how other Christians observe Advent differently. In our home, we're going to be bringing out the nativity in stages. ;-)
#adiaphora #notlaw #letspickourbattlesfriends
"Nor is it necessary that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies, instituted by men, should be everywhere alike." - The Augsburg Confession
So you can betchabottomdollar that I enthusiastically decked this flocked tree with our collection. As you can see we've got a bit of a sweets theme going on.
The girls each picked out a new ornament this year at Hobby Lobby. I let them choose glass ornaments and Violet, of course, picked the princess. Eisley picked this adorable snowman with eyelashes longer than mine.
Pax is too little to be trusted with glass {which is why the top 1/3 of our tree has most of the ornaments on it} and so I just enjoyed pulling out those baby ornaments I picked out for his first Christmas last year.
Don't you just love ornaments and how they can carry such good memories? This is Dopey from the 1950s. It was my dad's ornament, on his tree during his childhood. Yes, it is actually Dopey from Snow White. Disney looked different back then, huh? Dopey is very fragile, despite not being glass.
I also love new vintage ornaments, these ones I've picked up at antique malls.
In the 1980s Bristol Ware reproduced these antique "roly poly" tabacco tins from the 1910s. You know, back when tabacco companies were allowed to entice children with sleazy advertising? So my parents have one of these Santa roly poly tins. Every year during my childhood, mom would fill him with those Brach's peppermint nougats with the Christmas trees in the middle. He was part of my childhood, every Christmas. Anyhoo, a couple years ago I thrifted one of my own! Then last year I found the mini version next to him.
Then, two weeks ago I found this matching roly poly ornament! It's becoming a thing.
Speaking of Santas you can hide your tabacco in, last year I found these two sets of matryoshka Santas and the girls tried to make them their toys. So this year, we displayed them where they can't reach them.
It's not that I'm a grinch, it's that they can be choking hazards.
Okay, I'm a little bit grinch too.
I love seeing how other people decorate for the holidays, so if you blog please link up with me if you do a Christmas decor post!
All of this was thrifted except for the cute stockings Grandma Holly made the kids last year.
My bust girl gets in the Christmas spirit too by wearing a Santa hat marketed for cats!
Save a cat this Christmas: repurpose pet costumes.
Justin bought us tickets to see the Colorado Ballet's The Nutcracker next weekend. I'm so excited!! It's been several years since we've been. I love The Nutcracker. I love Tchaikovsky, I love fairy stories, I love the ballet, and I love the sugarland decor!
Obviously, I've channeled some Sugar Plum Fairy in my house this year.
Obviously, I've channeled some Sugar Plum Fairy in my house this year.
Erickson tradition states that you should provide crudités and liquored up egg nog and play The Christmas Revels and/or A Prairie Home Christmas with Garrison Keilor whilst you decorate your tree. Well, this year we were in a bit of a time crunch and so the kids helped with the lights and then went to bed while Sander and I finished---without our booze and crackers and Christmas songs from Lake Wobegon--and so the kids woke up to a living room sugar land that just appeared.
Paxton didn't take it so well.
That is, all morning he tried to get his hands {and mouth} on all the ornaments decking out the lower 2/3 of the tree.
When I scolded him and wouldn't let him desecrate the tree, he had himself a pout-fest.
I tried not to laugh at his over-the-top pity party. He called me a grinch.
Someone is getting nothing but coal in his stocking.
Someone is getting nothing but coal in his stocking.
Anyway, hope you're enjoying the season as much as we are.
For God so loved the world...
Cheers,
Heather
P.S. Sorry if sound snarky about Advent. Sort of.
3 comments
Love your flocked tree all decorated with pretty pastel ornaments!
ReplyDeleteI am already having nightmares about Hanna's baby coming to my house at some point and flinging my beloved vintage Christmas across the room :-) Maybe we should start having Christmas at her house?
ReplyDeleteYour tree is totally magazine cover worthy! I love the Sweets theme. Maybe Paxton was just hungry and not at all feeling destructive?
Have an awesome day!
Erica
I've always wondered about a flocked tree. I think here in Pittsburgh I would have to search high and low for one - as we are always a bit behind the style times. I love the way it looks! In fact everything looks lovely as usual. Thanks for sharing your home with us!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you have to say for yourself?