Undecorating Christmas

Now that the tree is gone, it's time to deconstruct the rest of the little scenes around the house. One of  my sentimental favorites is the manger Dad built in the 1950's and the collection of nativity figures Mom bought for it.

I remember it being set in the fireplace surrounded with a blue wrapping paper background.  Mom had us stick metallic stars on the paper for the Three Wise Men to follow and  bring handfuls of straw from the field behind our house to thatch the roof and put on the floor of the manger. It was just perfect. (Aha! Found a picture!)

No straw and blue paper for me, but other than the addition of the silver town roofline behind the figures (a wonderful 1969 UNICEF card by paper artist Ted Naos titled "Bethlehem"), it's pretty much the way it always was.  Just perfect.

Nativity Scene

If not now, when? Hello!

If not now, when? I've been thinking about writing a blog for a while, with the goal of spreading craftiness and promoting the Etsy shop I plan to open for next Christmas season . . . if not now, when? So now it is.

Happy New Year! The Christmas tree went out the door today - always a bittersweet day but I do enjoy my tree decorations. I have lots of ornaments, lots and lots of ornaments that have joined the tree over many years. I'm not one who trims a tree with a color palette or the "theme" of the year in mind.

Ours is a tree of memories. It's filled with ornaments that have a story. Some are handmade . . . by my children, friends, co-workers, and by myself.  Some have been gifts. Others are craft show acquisitions, quaint little shop finds, department and discount store buys, and most recently online purchases. I unpack them every year and spend time remembering how they came to my tree while finding the perfect spot to hang each of them. I enjoy the memories and share the stories with whoever happens to be in the house at the time.  It's a beautiful thing. At least, I think so.

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