it's time

I just love Christmas, and I have a hard time wanting to pack everything away once New Year's Eve has passed.  I know it's time when my husband finally looks at me and asks me how much longer I am going to leave the Christmas decorations up.  Well, that time was today.  So, tomorrow I will begin the process.  

But before I do, I wanted to get some photos of our decorations to share with you.  I had been meaning to do this before Christmas, but it just didn't happen.  Better late than never ... seems to be my life motto :)

Our tree is covered with ornaments that I had as a child, ones our children have made, as well as new ones.  There are such memories with each one!

This is our advent sock wreath.  I just made the wreath this year, but we have celebrated the countdown to Christmas with the socks for many years.  In past Christmas' I have attached the socks to a ribbon.  A different child opens a sock each day to find little goodies.  My oldest is now 18, but she still looks forward to the advent socks!

My angel collection.

I collect some of our Christmas cards in the pocket on this vintage stocking.  My mom hung this stocking every year when I was a little girl.  I love carrying on holiday traditions.

Finally, this year my youngest daughter and I made a gingerbread house!!  I have been telling her every year for the last 3 years that we were going to make one.  And then Christmas would come and go so quickly, and sadly no gingerbread house was made.  But not this year ... we were victorious.  

I participated in 2 swaps this holiday season.  One of the swaps was a one on one swap I did with a sweet friend that I have gotten to know through Silver Bella the last 2 years.  Jen and I decided to each make a stocking for each other filled with all sorts of goodies.  Just look at the amazing stocking that Jen made!

I just love the attention to details.

I adore how she embroidered her name and the year on the back of the stocking.

And just look at all of the fabulous goodies she stuffed the stocking with.  I was absolutely giddy with delight as I opened the stocking.  Jen also sent me some precious vintage wallpaper and some yummy homemade peppermint chocolate candy.  I was very spoiled.  

Unfortunately, as I often do, I neglected to take any photographs of the stocking I made for Jen before I mailed it off to her.  But, if you go to visit Jen's blog, you can see some photos that Jen took of the stocking I sent her :)  

The other swap I participated in was a Secret Santa Swap.  We were given a name of a person that we were to send some small goodies to, and then in turn our name was given to someone else who sent us a package.  I received my treasures from Sarah.  I adore each and every one.

I had to include the adorable owl paper she wrapped everything in ... sooo cute.  

And of course, in true Melissa fashion, I did not photograph the goodies I sent to my assigned swap partner, Sandy.  But, she did post a picture of what she received over at her adorable blog.    

Well, that wraps up the Christmas tour 2009.  Now I can move on to my next favorite holiday ... Valentine's Day.  I have all sorts of crafting ideas brewing.

till next time,

melissa    

        

Comments

[Sandy]

What a cute idea for an advent wreath! I love what you got for the secret santa swap and what you gave me was AWESOME! Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog! Have fun creating for Valentines day!

P.S I also ordered Smurf drinking glasses on e-bay!! So fun!

Sandy xox

[Jen@thecottagenest]

Love all of your decorations! That vignette with the blue bird cage? Yum! And that stocking is so wonderful. Love, love, love! So glad you liked our swap. I can't wait to play again. I'll email you later about details. Hugs, Jen