Last weekend, we went tree shopping. After visiting a couple of nurseries and not finding any balled trees that were (1) small enough or (2) nice looking, we decided to go with a live cut tree once again. This year, we wanted one that would fit on top of a table by the front window vs. the typical floor-to-ceiling one of past years.
Our search was successful and soon the tree was in our cart, tied securely atop Grenville’s Jeep and on the way home. We decided to try LED lights this year. Since we were using a smaller tree, a single 100-light set would be perfect.
The finished result after we decorated yesterday. That’s an angel that lost her head (but only for the photo). Small toy bears are around the tree stand and this group is guarding the tree below. 
Another group is hanging out by the TV/stereo cabinets.
This Nativity set was purchased more years ago than I can recall from a K-Mart store. It’s set up every holiday season and is usually on the fireplace mantel. This year it was relocated to a table.
We will be spending the holidays at home alone for the first time in many years. This decision is by choice to recoup from recent road trips, visits from electro-gremlins, and plumbing “adventures.” We’re planning to spend Christmas at home watching holiday movies, relaxing and being together without any company, dinner to prepare, schedules to keep or gifts to exchange. We’re giving one another “nuttin for Christmas” this holiday, except each our love.
And we’re keeping inside and outside The Frog & PenguINN decorations simpler and not putting as much “stuff” as in previous years. Of course, we still have favorites, like the mistletoe ball, holiday bell, “snow” penguin and the merry chris-moose.
We went through containers of holiday trimmings then donated a lot of “stuff.” A nursing home was happy to receive many stuffed teddy bears, penguins and frogs. These will be given to residents who might not otherwise receive any gifts.
Grenville decorated in the front yard and those decorations are much simpler as well. Penguins, candy canes and angel flags. A large cedar tree in the front yard was decorated with white lights.
We’re wondering how YOUR holiday plans are going this year and welcome your comments.
- Are you decorating more, less, or the same ?
- How/where are you spending the holidays ?
- Do you exchange gifts ?
ONE “tradition” we’re keeping is sending put holiday greetings – the old fashioned way – by mail. Thanks to the fellow bloggers who have emailed their names and home address to me. Our cards will be going out this week (the photo reprints were finally received).
IF any other fellow bloggers would like to participate in a card exchange, the details can be found here.
20 comments:
Oh my, everything looks so beautiful! Lovely post :)
Oh, the tree and all your decorations are superb, that tree shines in the window guarded by the bears. Do you like the LED lights? I found they buzz my eyes if you can understand that? I can only look at them for a few minutes then my eyes feel like they are shimmering.
I adore your nativity, it has so much detail and pieces.
You just gave me an idea about the nursing home. I was wondering where and what to donate. I gather there are many there that will not get a gift.
I hope all the house gremlins are gone and you have wonderful quiet season.
Its justhubby and I unless my brother decides to drop by. I did go all out as for the past 3 years I could not so I made up for lost time. Doubt I will do this much again.
GOD bless and keep you all safe.
We decorated way more this year, as our daughter, her husband and baby Zaeya will be flying down from Alaska to spend Christmas with us. We'll be exchanging gifts and my snail mail cards go to the P.O. tomorrow as well!
Looks good. Your plans sound good too -- except maybe for the lack of gifts. But I think I understand.
Hi B...Looks like a Beary Merry Christmas ...isn't that just corny sounding lol!!
I can see you have fun decorating!
Like your nativity set...I gave my big one we had when the kids where at home to my daughter..mine is much smaller now !
I am decorating a little less, but have my favorites that I am using, but for some reason I always feel bad for the ones that stay tucked away : { lol crazy huh!
Spending it with my youngest daughter and grandson..
I want nothing, I give mostly money and something personal to my children and my grandaughter who is 23 ..they all like money..right color, size etc..the exception is my 10 year old grandson.. he likes presents,but doesn't refuse cash ; } lol!!
Grace
I like your Christmas tree a lot, including all the stuffed animals that you use to guard it. We considered a tree small enough to fit on top of a table, but stuck with our 6 1/2 foot artificial tree. So far the tree is bare, except for lights. This is our first Christmas with our cat, Patches. She has a keen interest in the tree. We are thinking that hanging ornaments will not be a good idea.
Thanks Denise, this is way less decorations than we've done in previous years, but we LIKE it this way!
Tammy, this is our first year using LED lights, so we don't know what to expect. It was odd seeing a purple-color light, which is my favorite color, but unusual for Christmas lights.
The Nativity was inexpensive and does has such detail. The sheep and camel were bought afterwards. Today I doubt if separate pieces like them could be found. This set will always be part of our holiday festivities.
I've donated before to this nursing home and always get a warm welcome. They are so appreciative
We wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas - enjoy!
Mona, what fun you will have with your family and young granddaughter there to celebrate> We will look forward to your greeting and hope to get ours out before the end of this coming week. I tend to work slowly as I really enjoy writing personal messages in each.
AC, we will be getting gifts for the grandkids - sending a couple ahead and then seeing them in Jan. Others will receive gift cards to places they frequent. The no gift-gioving applies only to ourselves.
Hi Grace - yes it's a beary merry holiday here - before frogs & penguins friends gave gifts of teddy bears and we also added some to the collection. We've pared it down considerably. I'm not even sure some places even carry similar sets as this one was bought nearly 20 years ago!
We tried to use most of the decorations we "saved" except the tree is smaller than in past years so lots of unused tree decos, but we're holding onto those with sentimental value for when (and if) we get a bigger tree again. So I do understand about how you feel about not using all your decos. We're with you on wanting - or needing - anything. Money or gift cards seem to be the handiest for many folks these days. You're right about the 1 size fits all and no exchanges needed.
Linda, our cats used to like the tinsel and to drink the tree water. Thanks for the comment on our tree. We liked the larger trees, but this one meant less moving things and we really liked that, plus it's a live tree and even though the needles will be dropping it smells wonderful!
Wonderful decorations !
Our kids may be down for Christmas . Our daughter is in University up north long way to travel for her our oldest & youngest sons maybe with other family ya know ya have to share them at times lol ! Papa and I have less decorations then last year just keeping it simple and if the kids are able to make it we will exchange gifts if not Papa and I will just give eachother something small ! Have a wonderful day !
I think we're finally going to get around to getting some decorations out tomorrow. We're keeping it simple with no large tree. We have had lights on the outside for a couple weeks now.
Of course I still have some Christmas decoration photos to post, culminating with one I'm pretty excited about for Christmas morning.
Hope you guys have a happy one.
What a beautiful little tree! Can't wait to get a Christmas card from you guys!
Your decorations look lovely. I like your idea of just staying home and watching movies and enjoying each other's company. I think I'd like it if we could do that.
Thanks Elaine (Country Girl). We hope that you and Ken (Papa) enjoy a wonderful holiday. We see family in Jan.
Hi Scott, this is our first time for a smaller tree and we're liking it a lot and it is a live one (always)! I may try to get a shot of our outdoor decos - candy canes and penguins. We will be looking forward to seeing more of your holiday photos, which are always so lovely and inspiring. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Christine (Mama-Bug) your lovely card and note arrived yesterday and you should receive ours by the end of this coming week.
What lovely decorations. We are thinking of going much smaller for the tree this year, too. We will have the gang here for dinner and presents on Christmas Eve, then will spend Christmas Day "alone" together. :) It'll be nice. We have a long way to go to get the decorations up!
Lois, I can imagine you will be busy between now and Christmas and look forward to reading and seeing your holiday decorations too.
Hi Daisy, this will be the first time in more years than we can each remember that we have NOT gone anywhere or had anyone over for dinner, so it will be lovely.
Your decorations all look good, and a quiet day at home sounds very nice.
It won't be so quiet at our house. We'll have all the kids who live in town over on Christmas Eve for chili and corn bread and other appetizers and a Chinese auction. Christmas Day dinner will be with my two daughters and their families, and with a 2-1/2 year old who will be very excited it will be fun.
I'm decorating pretty much the same amount, and I do like to decorate a lot, including an extensive Christmas village and a Nativity scene. I like to do different themes for our tree. This year it's Santa.
Sometimes Marty and I agree to only get small gifts for each other, but then he ignores the agreement.....
beautiful tree, perfect size for downsizing. you know mine are not real and a lot smaller. just me and hubby for Christmas and no gifts. we buy what we want when we want it so dont' do the gift thing.
What a nice collection. I have held back this year and helped others with their decorations.
Couldn't get through your email.
wenzlcorp@mchsi.com
I'm planning on spending christmas at home as well. I've wanted to do that for years but people always believes that that ides is horrible :-) :-) Finally I can do as I please, look at bad christmas movies and eat good food and candy :-)
I'm decorating more this year than I have done in years :-) Still I think most people would think I decorate very little :-)
No gifts, none of those I know or relatives have the same taste as I or anyone else for that matter, so I prefere to buy something to myself instead, but I will buy some pigs ears to my dogs :-)
Have a great day!
Christer.
WOW!!!!! Al these comments... you'd think it was almost Christmas. Things have started to settle down here which is why I get to answer in comments. Thanks to all that are enjoying the Season with us.
Grenville
Post a Comment