Nativities...part 2

As promised, I am sharing additional nativity sets today. As a child, I remember putting Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and the wise men on display each year when we trimmed our tree and decorated our home. Then when I got married, we received this lovely nativity from my parents for our first Christmas. Precious Moments were highly popular three decades ago and remain so with me! Rather than setting out this nativity each December, though, it has its own special shelf in the curio year-round. 

Photographing items in the curio is a challenge with the mirrored back! 

My handsome, large-scale set is prominently placed on our mantel this season. I love everything about these detailed pieces with their fabric clothing. It, too, was a gift from my parents and was given to me about five years back.

I have several nativities highlighted in my curio this Christmastime and each holds its own story.

This one belonged to my paternal grandmother.

This snowglobe nativity belonged to my in-laws. The clear glass figurines make it tough to photograph.

As children, we used to receive these sets in Sunday school each year. I always tuck them in my trees.

These were handmade by some friends of my parents.

This is a set I thrifted and bronzed myself.

Newest to my collection, though, is a very special gift that came to me just recently. Isn't it exquisite? 

My friend's mother quilted this gorgeous wall-hanging several years ago for her own nativity collection. A few summers ago, I went to her home to see all of the nativities she had and was amazed! She had a corner cabinet stuffed full of lovely sets of all kinds that she had accumulated by purchase and as gifts. When I turned around and saw this wall-hanging in her home, though, I stopped in my tracks. I thought it was absolutely lovely. She had made it herself, years before, and even added facial features to all of the characters (both human and animal). Sadly, this past October my friend lost her mother and I was humbled when this precious piece was given to me a few days after her service. You could have knocked me over with a feather upon receipt and although I originally protested, I accepted it. I felt it should go to a family member , but my friend explained that her mother had wanted me to have it. So, I humbly took it and proudly hung it in our foyer where it welcomes all of our guests this joyous season. 

O, come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!🎝🎜

Tuesday's Tablescape

Today's table was from our annual Advent by Candlelight evening, which was one week ago today. This special event is held at my parents' church and is open to the women of the community. Church members volunteer to host a table for eight and my mother always participates. There is a holiday program before dessert time. This year we opted to use one of my sets of seasonal china for the table. The eggplant runner and napkins were ordered from an online company that offers every color at rock-bottom prices. We were pleased (and relieved) that the purple matched my china so closely. Our "napkin rings" were wise men ornaments that I sprayed gold.

We focused on the three wise men for the centerpiece. My mother's friend gave her the handsome trio about 40 years ago and they've been lovingly used for many Christmases. You can get a glimpse of the wreath we placed at the base of the glass cake plate pedestal. Does it look familiar? It's the one I made several weeks back.  Click here to revisit the wreath post. 

Although our table number is prominent in this photo (the red card on the stick), it still offers you a look at the overall table. 

Advent by Candlelight is the perfect way to prepare our hearts for the holiday season!

Nativities...part 1

Nativities hold the most meaningful part of our holiday décor. It's so interesting to look at the sets people own and display, which is why we are  always thrilled to attend a nativity exhibit hosted at a local church. Every other year, the Catholic church opens their doors on Thanksgiving weekend and invites the community, free of charge, to the event. All sets belong to their parishioners and are tastefully displayed on long, covered tables. This year there were 300 to see! My mother and I have made it a habit to go and visited there a few weeks ago, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

There were large outdoor nativities.

Some were handmade with loving care.

We saw whimsical nativities, like these snowmen , and...

the Peanuts gang from my favorite Christmas special.

There were sets made from a variety of materials, such as bronze,

and lace.

Lots were antiques, having belonged to families for generations.

Specialty sets, like this Jim Shore collection, were on display.

A high number of nativities were treasures from parishioners' worldwide travels.

This set came from Zimbabwe and was traded by a local for American shirt, shoes and pants.

This is just a small taste of what we enjoyed seeing. Later this week, I will share "part 2" which will highlight treasured nativities on display in our home along with a special new gift. Stay tuned! 

Happy Monday!

Upcycled Vase

A little sparkle is always nice this time of year. Here is an easy-peasy way to create an attractive container for your Christmas décor. Just begin with a vase of your choice. You can always pick-up one at the dollar store, but chances are you already have one tucked under your kitchen sink! 

Use a ribbon of your choice. I happen to be into the gem ribbons from craft stores. The dollar stores also carry these in a wider version. An added bonus is that a lot of the "diamond" ribbons are self-adhesive! 

Wrap it around your glass vessel. 

Now it's ready to fill as you desire. You can use faux greenery with a flameless candle since you'd never want to have a real flame next to anything that could catch on fire.

Another option is to fill it with faux greenery.

You could dress-up any size container with these gems in an instant! If you'd prefer, you could use a pretty ribbon instead. 

When filling the vase with greenery,  you can crumble tissue paper, add pebbles or even faux snow to conceal your stems. Another option, of course, would be to use fresh flowers in water. Use your creativity to come up with what works for you! It doesn't have to take a lot of time or effort to add a little sparkle to what you already have on hand.

Weekend blessings to you all and may your day sparkle with happiness! 

Hostess Gifts

'Tis the season to be jolly! It's also the season for special holiday gatherings and visits with friends. Since you may want to take a little something  to the hostess when you go to someone's home, I thought I would share a few simple ideas. 

Quality chocolates are a sweet way to show your appreciation to the hostess. I snapped these pictures in the store when I saw them because they seemed quite appropriate. I was recently given a box of Merci myself, but had to take a photo in the store since I had already opened my own packaging to display the candies in a glass bowl. Of course, I also had to sample one, two, three of the candies in the process! 😉

These little packages of chocolates are just the right size to attach to the outside of your gift bag.

Seasonal surprises are sure to make your friend smile. I was recently given this tasteful holiday kitchen towel which looks nice and feels thick and soft. The cardinal birds and greenery will be fitting to use throughout the winter.

Finding an ornament that reminds you of a friend is certain to make them happy.

In case you can't make it out, that's the tag attached to the lower right corner.

A friend recently brought me this mini Christmas cactus as a hostess gift. I've 

never seen one so loaded with blossoms! Isn't it lovely?

Everyone seems to enjoy practical surprises. Nice soaps and lotions are always useful.

I bought these for someone and they smell wonderful! 

Snacks are good for this busy time of year.

My favorite peach salsa coupled with my favorite pita chips will make a tasty

snack for a friend who is getting this.

My favorite apple butter will be given to a hostess, along with some fresh

bagels from the bakery.

Homemade gifts make lovely hostess surprises, too. Use your talents to share with others. No matter what you take to the hostess, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself as you visit with friends...and if you're the hostess, have fun with your guests. 'Tis the season to be jolly and for spending time with dear ones.

Swiss Vegetable Medley

This is a good hot vegetable dish and since it goes together quickly and easily, I thought I would share. Whether you're entertaining or attending a holiday gathering to which you need to contribute something, I think you might want to try this. I recently served it when we hosted a dinner party and everyone enjoyed it. The recipe originally came from my great aunt, who was a good cook and gracious hostess.

Swiss Vegetable Medley

1 bag (16 ounce) frozen broccoli, carrots, cauliflower combination, thawed and drained

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

1/3 cup sour cream

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 can (2.8  ounce) French fried onions

Combine vegetable, soup, 1/2 cup cheese, sour cream, pepper, pimento, and 1/2 can of the onions. Pour into a quart casserole. Bake, covered, in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and onions and bake, uncovered, for 5 additional minutes.

If you try it, let me know what you think of it.

Tuesday's Tablescape

Today's tablescape is from the kitchen. I decorated that room with nutcrackers this year, so that's what I decided to use for the centerpiece last Saturday when we hosted a dinner party. Some guests were seated in the dining room and four were in the kitchen.

These dishes are the oldest Christmas set we own. We bought service for four the first year we were married and have enjoyed them ever since. I believe we used wedding money to make the purchase and found them at an Corelle outlet.

These three guys watched over the table guests.

Have a blessed day, everyone!