Christmas Ornaments

This year, both my grandmothers have passed down to me some ornaments that were on my parents' childhood trees. 

The Silent Night ornament is from my maternal grandmother, Gammy, and the striped one is from my paternal grandmother, Mommom.

In addition to the boxes given to me by my grandmothers, I also have a couple boxes that were my great-aunt Lynn's and several that Dad found at a yard sale and gave to me. 

Not only do these ornaments thrill my vintage soul, they are something special to carry on to the next generation.

Christmas Parcels

Every year, I search Pinterest for wrapping ideas. I like to try something different each year. I've been tempted to repeat an idea (for example, these tags) but every year I end up with some new inspiration. 

This year, while searching on Pinterest, I came across this pin.

source

Since we have plenty of brown paper, quite a bit of twine, and a very large collection of old postage stamps, this seemed like just the right theme for this year. 

Each vintage parcel is tied up with twine and a stamp or two in the corner. For the larger packages I added a vintage "Parcel Post" label for the tag. 

And for the smaller packages, I just wrote the recipient's name right on the paper.

All the parcels look so cute in the crate, don't they?!

Decorating for Christmas

I love the Christmas season! I get excited when it rolls around each year. 

If you've read my blog for very long, you'll know that I love just about anything vintage. Christmas is my favorite time to use vintage decor. 

My trio of handmade snow globes pairs well with two Sugared Birch candles from the Hearth and Hand With Magnolia collection at Target. FYI: They smell amazing! I was content with the just taller one but then when I went to Target the other day the shorter one hopped into my basket and I let it stay. :)

The pillow I purchased at Marshalls last year, is a nice pop of color on my white bedding. This pillow is a favorite of Pinky's. I catch her all the time rubbing it, sleeping next to it, or just sitting there beside it. I don't know what it is that attracts her. Silly kitty!

The top shelf of my cart holds a few (of my many) copies of A Christmas Carol and a  little vintage tree.

On the bottom shelf of the cart  is one of my vintage cameras and a Bess Streeter Aldrich Christmas book I found at an antique store a year or so ago.

On the shelf above my chair I have a few pieces of a new metal nativity I bought in Lancaster this past October. The whole set includes a star, a couple wisemen, a shepherd, another sheep, a cow, and a donkey. I didn't have room to put the whole set out this year but whenever I have my own home to decorate, I'll use all the pieces. 

My dresser is where I put my small tree. (More on that in another post coming soon.) Next to it, I have a peppermint candle and a jarful of red ornaments that were my great-aunt Lynn's.

I am again using the old crate that I found up in the attic of the new house when we moved. It's a perfect place to put Christmas packages waiting to be handed out on Christmas day. 

My Poppop Bird

My grandfather passed away in 2011. Several years ago, my grandmother gave my dad a pajama set that had been Poppop's, and in turn Dad gave the shirt to me to use as a bed jacket. It was always big so I didn't wear it much. I kept it for the sentimental value. Last year, I dug it out and decided to make something out of it.

I found a pattern for a bird that was simple to make.

Last year he stayed out all winter and this year he's back in his old spot again. I still have plenty of fabric left so a few more Poppop birds might show up at some point.