Friday, November 21, 2008

It's Beginning to Look A Lot like Christmas

Well, not too much yet, but a little. I woke up to three inches of fresh snow today, which inspired me to clean and to start digging through the Christmas boxes. The Inspired Room is having a holiday link party so I thought I'd share one of my favorite Christmas decorating ideas. I will be doing more Christmas decorating this weekend so that when I return from Thanksgiving, it will be done.


One of the first things I pulled out was these pictures that I use every year. I am missing a few, must be in another box because it would have made too much sense to put them all together in the same box. These are photos of past Christmases. Some of my kids, some older photos of me. I am the sweet child in blonde curls screaming on Santa's lap. The little boy in the oldest picture in the snowby the car is my father-in-law. The frames are from the dollar store. I still need to put some greenery in the church--I like to use fresh, so I won't get that for a week or so.


I wanted the pictures at different heights, so I covered some books in scrapbook paper. I had to tape two pieces together, but it is a great way to add a little color. I am not sure if I will keep these particular papers. Now that I have changed the color scheme of my loving (ok loving was a typo, but I decided to keep it Ü) room, I am trying to incorporate blue into my Christmas decorating, all on a small or non-existent budget. Jen at Sanctuary Arts is having a link party too with things made with scrapbook paper. I thought I'd include this, since I covered the books with it. Plus my previous three posts were all made with scrapbook paper.


I also wanted to share one of my favorite thrift store finds from a few year ago. I paid $2 for this copy of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. It does not have a copyright, but I think it is from about 1940. If anyone knows, I would love informationon it. I have tried to search for it in the past, but not this year. It has six of these gorgeous, intricate pictures or plates as they are called, plus other drawings. We always read the real Christmas story from the bible on Christmas eve and then we read this.



Other things we do to keep the true meaning of Christmas alive is involve our children in giving to others. They each select a child from a tree of giving--these are anonymous kids from our schools and they shop for them. They must work to earn money for the presents. We read a chapter book together during Christmas--something touching and heart warming. We go caroling with the neighbors. We make sure we hit those "grouchy" neighbors and hopefully soften them up a little. I will share more of our traditions through the coming month.

5 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for joining in on the party! I love books in scrapbook paper!

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  2. Your post is so sweet today. I love how you and your kids do the special things like caroling and reading the true Christmas story. That is so important and they will always remember this.

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  3. Bec I also put out all my old christmas photos for decoration and covering books with paper great idea!!!
    Have a great weekend and stay warm
    julie

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  4. love to look back at photos year after year. cute idea with the scrapbook paper - very green! can't wait to see the rest of your holiday ideas. good luck with the pilgrim costumes. i need to get your email so we can share classroom ideas:)
    ~nicole

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  5. Aawww, I enjoyed seeing the pics and love that old book with the illustrations. They don't make them that charming anymore. Scrapbook paper always finds it's way into my projects and I see it does in yours as well.
    T

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate your kind words!