Santa Collection

I never dreamed when I received my first Santas many years ago that my collection would grow and grow.  It has become a treasured part of our Christmas decorations and a fun conversation element. No two Santas are alike. They represent the friendships and memories I cherish with the givers. 

Christmas Tree

Our beautiful Christmas tree completed our holiday decorations.  Each ornament has a story.  It's filled with priceless ornaments that Julia and Gar have made through the years.   There are scores of splendid and sentimental ornaments we've received as gifts.  And there are homely ornaments that make us laugh.  It's a fabulous collection that is uniquely ours.  Though a designer wouldn't readily detect a theme for our tree, close examination would reveal that the theme is love.

Red and Green Friday

Retailers begin decorating for Christmas before Halloween. I think we need distinctions for holidays, and refuse to put out our first Christmas decoration until the day after Thanksgiving.  And though many gifts must be acquired, black Friday is one day that I refuse to shop.  Black Friday was red and green in our home.

It has begun to look a lot like Christmas as we carefully placed nativities, angels, santas, nutcrackers, crystal ornaments, holiday toys and needlework works of art. Christmas dishes and stemware were put into daily meal service.

Red and green Friday is a far better way for me to seize the Christmas spirit than fighting rabid shoppers for once-a-year deals.