Before we pack up Christmas...

I'm not in a hurry to "put away" Christmas this year. Seems like we got such a late start on it all this year--so to make up for it, I'll drag it into January. Part of my "blogging goals" is to document the decorations we use each holiday. I love seeing old pictures or the actual items our family used as a child to decorate for the holidays. Over the years things will be rotated out, passed on, broken, etc. I hope seeing these pictures in twenty years will bring back fond memories for my kids. I already posted about the holiday items I have that are from my childhood, as well as my nativities. But here are a few more of my favorites that I wanted to capture before they get boxed up for another year.

*Nutcracker musical glitter globe. This year I left this on the coffee table so the kids could have access to it. They loved watching it and winding up the music multiple times every day. And we only had to Super Glue the ballerinas arm back on once!!

*"And the stockings were hung". This is one set of stockings that we've used the past two years. A couple of years ago I bought four sets of stockings at a "DownEast" tent sale. They are all Pottery Barn stockings and cost me $1 each!! Of course with that price, they did have someone else's name on them!! This is one of two sets that I have redone the names on. I think they turned out pretty cute!!

*JOY blocks. A gift from my friend, Rose. I love these and hope to use them for the next decade!!

*Glass balls hung from the light chain. Yep, a bit tacky. But I've done it every year since Logan and Ellie were babies--and the idea is here to stay!!

*Nativity painting picture. I have always loved this print. Last year my friend Katrina gave this to me. Her uncle is actually the artist!! What a small world. Another treasure I hope to display for decades to come.

*Metal hanging stocking. I love this thing. I got it from Southern Living at Home. (Thanks Lauren.) I have no idea what to do with it or what to put in it. Maybe over the years I will come up with more festive ways to use it. It's just so cute!!

MERRY AFTER-CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!