Nostalgic Christmas Tree & Making Memories
Christmas is almost upon us! Which actually gets me a little sad that this magical time will soon be over, but before it is, I wanted to share more details of our nostalgic Christmas tree and some of the memories we have been making this holiday season.
I shared my full holiday home tour last week, but our tree is pretty special to me since we received several of my grandparents’ ornaments. Both of them passed away earlier this year (my grandmother in January and my grandfather in March), so it has been a time of loss and remembering. I am grateful to have these small mementos to keep their memory alive in our home.
Both of my children played a role in trimming the tree this year, which also made it extra special. I wanted the tree to have a mid century feel, be colorful and whimsical for the little ones to enjoy. Hazel helped decide on certain ornaments and where they should be placed.
She also made our Christmas tree topper…a hand drawn paper angel. A keeper for sure.
The ornaments from my grandparents are definitely some of my favorites, like these dioramas.
And a little bird that clips on the branches…
I also purchased a few vintage ornaments at a local antique mall recently, like this little Santa dressed in white and the snowmen sitting on a swing. I chose ones that reminded me of what we had during my childhood and growing up years. I loved getting them out year after year. Decorating the tree never got old to me. I always loved doing it…and still do. I want to create the same memories for my children.
I’ve had some of these ornaments for years, like the sweet angel below. It has a whimsical, Anthropologie feel to it. A bit tattered and worn, like many of the others, but I love them just the same.
I reconstructed a vintage gown to act as our tree skirt this year, which I really love. It was the perfect finishing touch for the whole mid century vibe.
I also purchased a vintage plastic Santa at the same antique mall and the reindeer was found at a thrift store earlier this year.
Owen is especially excited for Christmas. He can’t wait for Santa to come! He asks me almost every day if he came yet. Soon, soon, I tell him.
We’ve made a lot of fond memories this year, like Hazel creating her very own gingerbread house. It fell down while she was working on it, but she just kept going with it as is. Pretty cute if you asked me π
And our elf, Snowy, has gotten into lots of fun mischief every night. Both kids love waking up to find him.
One night he turned our Potato Heads into Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph….
He also set up a Christmas village around our train set…
And even had a camp out with Olaf and a snowman friend who were roasting marshmallows. I’m gonna miss that little guy come Christmas Eve. As will the kiddos, until he returns next year.
That’s all from me for this Christmas week! Our Sundays at Home Link Party will continue as usual this Saturday at 8pm. If you are able, please stop by to join in and link up your latest blog posts!
I hope that you all have a very joyous Christmas and a happy New Year!
Till next time…
~Alice W.
Disclosure: I received a discount on our ‘Flocked Fraser Fir’ Christmas tree from Balsam Hill last year in exchange for a previous blog post. I have not been compensated in any way for this post.
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16 Comments
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
This post made me smile, Alice. I love your thoughtful tree and your special times with your children. The years fly quickly and I'm glad you are making memories and enjoying your days NOW. Have a lovely Christmas…xo
Alice Wingerden
Thank you Linda! Wishing you a Merry Christmas also!!
Chloianna
I have a paper angel tree topper my daughter made in first grade as well as several other little fingers did. And I saw an ornament on your tree with an orange hat. We have them too.
Alice Wingerden
Thanks for visiting π
BarberryLane Designs
I would have loved to enjoy your post, but the ad, in the upperright corner, paralyzed your page. Video ads interfere with the loading of your blog, which ends up loading last..5 minutes in—your beautiful pictures still will not scroll down.
Merry Christmas anyway, Sandi
Alice Wingerden
I'm sorry you experienced that Sandi. A company manages the ads for me and I will be sure to pass that information along to them, so that they can hopefully improve it.
DaB0se
May I ask, what did you use in your tree for the "snowy" garland? It is awesome! MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours, and blessings for the coming years!
Alice Wingerden
Thank you! I actually made the garland by cutting strips of faux fur fabric and hot gluing them together!
Εuvres d'art originales
Alice, your decorations have the perfect vintage feel, as does your wonderful photography. And the photos of your children's joy…priceless. Merry Christmas to you all, Ardith
Blondie's Journal
I love your tree, Alice. It looks so perfect now–as the years go on you will have more ornaments than you need! You simply have to hang all of the ones your kids make, mine is still a mish mash of those and everything in between. I have ornaments from my parents that are older than me, they are precious and I finally became to afraid to hang them on the tree (for fear of breaking them), I now have them in vintage bowls to display.
Hazel is a little replica of you!! They are both precious!
Merry Christmas!
Jane x
BECKY
Just adore your vintage tree!! So many of those ornaments are familiar to me! Wish I had more of my parents old ones!! But I do have a nice collection! Hopefully, I will get our small faux tree done next year so I can display them. Perfectly charming!
Have a delightful Christmas, Alice!!
Blessings,
Becky
Susan Duane
Merry Christmas Alice, thank you for everything this year! Many blessings to you and your beautiful family! Susan
umeoneLSL
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you and your sweet family!
A Designer At Home
The memories behind everything is so sweet. So nice your grandparent's memory can be there. And Owen's face! What a cutie!
Jennifer @ Town and Country Living
Alice, the little angel on the tree stole my heart. But it couldn't compare to Hazel's angel tree topper! Love Owen's Christmas jammies! Your kids are going to remember all the wonderful memories you've created for them. You were so creative with the Christmas Elf! Makes me wish I was a kid again and that you were my mom! π
Bohemian
I too get a little Sad when it's all over… though we will keep everything Decorated until after the New Year has been rung in… which is rushing up quickly! Love that Darling Angel Tree Topper! Wishing you a Happy New Year from the Arizona Desert… Dawn… The Bohemian