Monday, December 22, 2008

Holiday Open House

Welcome to the Holiday Homes Tour, organized by Jen on the Edge.

As you approach our front door, you'll see my wreath. Yes, I did do something different to it this year. I was thinking of fabric bows, or buttons, but then I walked past the pile of stuff in the garage and thought: TOYS. With the help of the trusty hot glue gun, TA DA! My Star Wars wreath. (Ernest's been playing a Star Wars Theme on the piano, so it fits.)


This is the tree I grew up with. Now I can look back with nostalgia and wish we still had it. But at the time (1968) I longed for a real tree.


Because of my Childhood Aluminum Tree Trauma, we always get a real tree. The problem is I can never fit all the ornaments on it. I worked for many years around the corner from a florist, who put up the most beautiful trees every year, loaded with the loveliest ornaments imaginable. After Christmas, they went on sale. 25, 50, then ultimately 75% off. How could I resist?


These are some favorites. I love glass ornaments, especially from Radko.


I am obsessed with food-shaped ornaments. I've got a whole meal on the tree: desserts, fruits, vegetables, including a carrot, onion and potato, and of course the turkey.


Here's a small sampling of the hodgepodge on the tree: Princess Leia, a Radko octopus, a flamingo (Hi, Debbie), I'll see Cheri one SpongeBob and raise her a Cartman from South Park, and there's Ernest in pre-school. The rest of the tree is equally varied.


Snow globes on the mantel...


Nutcrackers on the piano...

Angels from my childhood...

These elves are quite ancient, too...

The elf on the shelf is watching you! I find that song terrifying!

This Santa reindeer sled used to wind up and race in circles on the floor. It's ancient. I remember it from the early 60s. It's sitting on top of some vintage Christmas stockings that I was too lazy to put out.

The lights that didn't get put up...

Frank and Ernest's stockings, which are also not going up. We decided not to do stockings this year because ImemyselfI Santa couldn't think of anything to put in them. These stockings are a huge 30" tall. I think Ernest was small enough to fit in his the year we got them.

My Christmas shopping is done. The HH and I went out this afternoon and stimulated our town's economy. Yes, I did my part to support the local merchants.
Merry Christmas, and thanks for stopping by.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is the GREATEST WREATH EVER!

I love all the ornaments on your tree. I didn't buy any new ones this year, so I'll be stimulating my local economy next year to make up for it.

Badness Jones said...

I love (and covet!) all your ornaments! Thanks for sharing!

mimi's mommy said...

Thank you so much. I love the old stuff. We had an aluminum tree with a color wheel! Oh the memories...sigh.

Amy Y said...

My kids would thinK I hung the moon if I made a Star Wars wreath! That's way cool!

Nice to meet you :)

barbra said...

LOVE the Fantasia hippo ornament! And food ornaments - how cool.

Your house looks very fun!

alison said...

My daughter Leah is obsessed with Star Wars. She would love that wreath. Oh, who am I kidding. I love that wreath.

Your ornaments are just lovely. I always have too many to put in the tree too.

Susan said...

Great close-ups of the ornaments - so fun and colorful.

Happy Holidays to your family!

Jen said...

I love your Star Wars wreath, it is so Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas! Your house looks lovely!

dkuroiwa said...

Okay...so not to switch "theme teams" or anything, but I do love that Hippo!! (sh...don't tell the flamingos, okay!)
And thanks, by the way, for the "hey"...that was enough to almost make me tear up there for a bit!! :-D
I've been going through some of the blogs that are doing this post and I really have to limit myself as it is just making me homesick...terribly.
I'm stopping now for the evening and will start again tomorrow, but this time I'll have more plum wine to help me through it all!!

Your house reminds me of "home"...thanks for letting us come by!!
debbie

Vanessa said...

Thanks for the tour! I loved your tree with all the intricate ornaments. Especially the Hippo in the dress. I can't imagine how long it took you to decorate the place. Well done!

Louise said...

Love your tree, and WOW! to all the decorations!