Christmas Decor

 Its beginning to look like Christmas.  Its beginning to sound like Christmas and it certainly smells like Christmas here in my cottage kitchen.  I have just made some mincemeat cupcakes, the smell of the mincemeat is permeating around.  Let me show you around and share some of my vignettes that hold so many memories of Christmas's past.  This is a small trunk we use as a coffee table.  A wooden stag platter is full with baubles each one telling its own story.  Sorry about the quality of the photos the light is not good.

There is anniversary baubles, along with a couple of Harrods baubles.  Our daughter Amie and I used to meet up when she was at university and go for afternoon tea each December.  It was always the ritual to go to Harrods where she would buy another bauble to add to the collection.  The telephone box was a token from when Victoria and I went on a shopping trip she was writing a review for a magazine.  The little ceramic Santa was bought at the airport at Sanford Florida to use up a whole load of coins I had accumulated over our holiday.  I don't mind bringing paper money back but am not keen on bringing too many coins.  Gerard and I have so much fun recollecting the memories and little stories behind each item.

As we move to the side of the house window, this is the start of our travels.  The nutcracker from Berlin, the plate depicting St Nicolas from Holland.  I also have a couple of blue/white baubles from Delft.  We have been any times both with our girls when they were small and our Grandchildren so many memories to reflect upon.  We are so thankful for the opportunities that we have been given over the years.  The front window shows one of our favourite features that reminds us of Gerard's mum an old pottery Santa.  It was one of her cherished Christmas possessions so it is so nice to have him as part of our collection.

The fireplace is generally the focal point of our room as we use the stove and love the comfort of seeing the peat burn.  We are so blessed with good neighbours that are so generous with peat as gifts.  I love to decorate the mantel and try to make a different garland each year.  This year the basis of the garland was pinecones that had been strung together giving it a more natural feel.  I tried to pick out baubles depicting stags to give it a Scottish theme, it just needs a few tartan bows adding.

We have so much fun pulling out the decorations and remembering Christmas's past.  The table is another focal point as food seems to always feature when we have visitors.  So it is a delight to be able to get all the Christmas crockery out and make a display of it.

Again each piece telling its own story.  Very little matches but it doesn't matter the memories of each piece mean more than how it all looks together.  As you may have noticed there are glass bowls and vases strategically placed around the room holding lights in case of a power cut.  Equally it does look nice in the evening with the twinkly lights.  Candles too are dotted around, which are also a real delight.

A cake stand used to display some baubles as well as lights.  The winter scene baubles are from the first Christmas that Gerard and I had together so whilst a little tatty they are still a great joy.  The cake stand form part of a small display under the main window using an old step ladder, a quilt and vintage bibles which have been well loved and used.

I hope you have enjoyed the start of my tour around the Christmas decor,  it is quite the journey .and may not be to everyone's taste.   For us it is a journey of our life together of our  experiences and opportunities.  The memories of loved ones and the excitement of the coming of the Lord.  Family heirlooms and recipes shared, love and laughter.  Traditions followed and new ones added.  Each year although unique building up to the same outcome the birth of Jesus Christ.  This year will be different for most as the pandemic is making even the simplest of tasks so hard.  All we can do is make the most of it and live in hope that the new year will bring better times.  The vaccine seems to be bringing a mixed response it was so nice to read your thoughts.  I will be back shortly to recommence the tour of our Christmas decor.

Take care and see you soon.