Christmas – Page 14 – Gracious Rain

December 19, 2011January 14, 2022

The Nativity Collection

Been collecting nativity sets since my kids were little. We have some really sweet ones. Veggie tales is a hit with Miss Chompy.

Being the kitty lover that I am, I found this one at BYU a few years ago. I love it!

This pretty little wooden one was made by my neighbor. His kids even helped smooth out the pieces with sandpaper.

How could I possibly resist a pink nativity? Found this one in Cozumel, Mexico.

For as long as I’ve been collecting, I actually should have so many more sets, but sadly, in one of our moves a few years back, a big tub of some of my favorites never made it to our house. The greatest loss was the olive wood set that I found in Bethlehem when I was 19. But the up side is that if someone else has found that tub– I know it will make them very happy–like it did us.

This cute thing was last year’s addition—an Eskimo nativity!! Searching out the sweet little sets has become one of the fun parts of this season.

Do you collect anything fun this time of year?

December 18, 2011December 17, 2011

{ The Christmas Child }

“There is a magic in Christmas. Hearts are opened to a new measure of kindness. Love speaks with increased power.

“Of all things of heaven and earth of which we bear testimony, none is so important as our witness that Jesus, the Christmas child, condescended to come to earth from the realms of His Eternal Father, here to work among men as healer and teacher, our Great Exemplar. And further, and most important, He suffered on Calvary’s cross as an atoning sacrifice for all mankind.

“At this time of Christmas, this season when gifts are given, let us not forget that God gave His Son, and His Son gave His life, that each of us might have the gift of eternal life.”

Gordon B. Hinckley

December 16, 2011January 14, 2022

Scrooged… Again

Oh, we can’t seem to help ourselves. For the last few years, this season pulls us to the Hale Center Theater for another evening of “A Christmas Carol.”

You could say, it’s becoming a holiday family tradition. Hmmm…like the sound of that.

Please forgive the fuzzy photos–it was mostly dark, and you know, we get so excited that we have trouble sitting still.

I can prove it. And this is before we’ve seen any Christmas ghosts.

Lucky for us the incredible main guy–old Scrooge himself–is the same fellow as last year. Funny, scary, sad, adorable–as always and yet…

there are enough new twists and turns to keep us coming back over and over again…

or for the first time.

Keeping family traditions—starting family traditions.

Either way.

It’s a lovely Christmas thing.

Do you have a favorite family tradition?

December 15, 2011January 14, 2022

Christmasy Stuff

to love–right this minute.

The big and small helpers that make up our Christmas light brigade. Such stalwart souls in the 17 degree outdoors. Brrrrr…

The sweet, ancient ornaments that come out this time of year and are handled so tenderly so that somehow they will last forever.

The Christmas bowls that magically appear and are quickly dubbed the “only way to eat cereal in December” by the male population of the household.

The indoor lights that are left to me and my packaging tape. I know there’s a better way to hang the crazy things in the window…but…you know…old dog…new tricks…and all that.

The crochet hooks and Peaches and Cream yarn that seem to be fused to my hands these days. Not a spare minute can be wasted–so much to sew and only 11 more days to do it in! Yikes!!

The lovely Christmas countdown chain–from Somebody’s Stuff–that was made to be torn away each day but is far too pretty to meet such a fate. So it just hangs around and makes us very happy.

The trees that seem to be trying–with all their might to get into the spirit of the season.

The snow that obediently fell when April stomped her foot and declared that she “must have snow for her birthday!” Now that’s power.

The brand-new stocking for the brand-new sweetheart in our world–made with the very last scrap of red sock velour, that I’ve held on to for some strange reason…all these years.

It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Please tell me~

what Christmasy things do you love right this minute?

December 13, 2011February 3, 2019

Quick Christmas Gifts

Family Faces Match-Up

Now you may just recognize many of these quick gifts from the past–but a good thing bares repeating–right? So, in the hopes of offering a few fun, fast ideas to help your holidays have a cozy, handmade feel–I’m dusting off a few favorites.

Button Bauble Bracelet