Two Christmas Trees and Other Decor

 When our kids were little, we had a small tabletop tree that we let them decorate, but other than that, we have always just had one. Until this year.

The one by the white cupboard is in the dining room, and the one by the mantle is upstairs in the family room. I've loved having 2 trees! 

Why the Uncle Sam hat on top of the tree?

We were going through some boxes one day and found this Uncle Sam outfit that George's mom had made for him to wear in a grade school play. How fun! And so creative! 

We had it out to show the grandkids the day we were decorating the tree. I had left the room, and when I came back, Pappy and John were giggling. They had put the hat on the tree as a topper.

That will work! 

 

The small quilts under each tree were also made by his mom. Love them! 

So do the cats.

Willow looks so peaceful. Rascal doesn't have quite the same grace.

Sometimes I miss having bigger trees, but these pencil trees are great for saving space, both in season and in out of season storage. 

I grew up on a Christmas tree farm, which was a LOT of work for my parents. It was fun during the Christmas rush of folks picking out their trees and cutting them down. When George and I met, he didn't care much for Christmas. But when we were dating, he helped out during that December rush, and he changed his tune on Christmas, and has enjoyed it ever since. 

After we got married, we got a free tree every year. Eventually, the trees became too big, and mom and dad quit selling them. George and I decided to get an (gasp!) artificial tree and never regretted it. We always say when we weren't able to get a free tree anymore, we lost interest in a real tree. But what we really lost interest in was cleaning up all those needles!!

Anyway, a few more displays around the house...

My mom had a beautiful nativity scene that she put under the tree each year. Jessica has it now. 

One year we bought out a crafter who was retiring, and she had several nativity pieces, including this one. It makes me think a little of the one mom had, so I decided to keep it. I didn't do nearly as elaborate of a display as mom did, but I still like it.

And now for another when George and I were dating story...

He surprised me with the lantern flower arrangement. It had real pine and holly, and I loved it so much that I have kept it ever since, after replacing the real pine and berries with artificial ones. It's one of my favorite decorations to put out each year. 

We picked this cupboard up at an auction and had it for sale in our shop. It was in rather rough condition, which is probably why it didn't sell. Now we are glad it didn't! When we bought the house in PA, it needed more cupboard space, so I painted that rough cupboard and now it holds snacks behind the doors, and vintage jars on the shelf. And for the holidays, some treasured Christmas decor. 

George and I made the corrugated tin trees. George's mom crocheted the carolers for us years ago, and they too get a place of honor every year.

The window is between the kitchen and the stairway. Why? We aren't sure, but it's there, so might as well decorate it! I keep the crocks there year-round. They are heavy enough and big enough to keep the cats from hopping onto the windowsill from the steps, and then onto the counter. So far, it has worked like a charm. I had several gingerbread pieces left after we closed the store, and they make a fun addition to the window.

The snowmen are an assortment we have picked up here and there through the years. 

Years ago, the Wheeling News Register had this big picture of Santa resting as their cover photo. I cut it out and put in on the fridge and have done so every year since. Same with the cartoon, and the old-fashioned Santa that came from some magazine. It's a happy coincidence that the same Santa is on the set of tins on top of the fridge.

Want to know the reason I'm posting these? So I will remember next year where I placed each item! 

I'll post the outside decorations tomorrow for the same reason. 😄