Wednesday, November 15

Ok, I'm in the mood for Christmas

Bring it on!

The past few years I've gotten particular about holiday decorating. My persnicketiness only (well, mostly) applies to my house, so no worries. Actually, I've always been on the picky side. But now my weird imaginary rules have made holiday decorating a challenge that begs to be conquered.

I don't know if I've mentioned it here or not, but the biggest rule I have is that I cannot mix winter/Santa/snowmen/North Pole/etc with anything nativity oriented. The reason for this is that it does not snow in Bethlehem. I can't bear the thought of a desert scene and a winter scene sharing the same decorating space. If I had a huge house or multiple levels, and could do winter where it couldn't be seen from the desert I might be ok. But I don't have that sort of house. So it's one or the other.

I wouldn't dare choose snowmen and Santa over the birth of God's son so winter is out. Although I do decorate for winter in a non-Santa way after Christmas.

Over the past several years I've been collecting, a tiny bit at a time, decorations that I really, really love. I've been searching for a nativity set that I love but until now I haven't found one that was absolutely perfect. I toyed with the idea of making one but by the time inspiration strikes there just isn't time.

I finally found the perfect nativity set. I'm still searching the web to find the best price on the pieces I need (I can collect the shepherd set and the drummer boy set later). For some reason they leave the angel out of the combo set. I think she's pretty necessary.

The bottom line is, I'm psyched. I'm just as thrilled as I was 2 years ago when I found the most perfect tree skirt ever.

Oh, and I ordered the makings of a winter potpourri blend today. So more Christmas spirit is on it's way. I'm going to try my hand at making incense too. And, yes, I'm humming Christmas carols as I type.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

You and I are so similar. I will look and look until I find exactly what I am looking for. Last year after Christmas I picked up a Mary Engelbreit nativity set which I can't wait to use this year. I also like the Ostheimer/Waldorf one. The one you have chosen is really beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Can't believe it someone else who has been searching for the perfect nativity. The one you like looks wonderful. I've been looking for years and will be posting about my search later in Dec. when the Christmas decorations come out of the attic. That is because I have one piece of the set I want, I think I have Joseph although he may be a sheperd. He is very old and made from a kind of plaster coated paper/card I think, very much like a plaster saint. He has always been in our family but I have no idea if anyone ever had the other pieces, somehow I think not.
Anyway enough, I love the set you are going to buy, in fact I saw it in a Christmas shop in Holt a couple of months ago and was sorely tempted.

Anonymous said...

I love that nativity set also. Been looking at it for a couple of years now. My mom has Mary, Joseph and Jesus from it and they are nice.

Renee said...

Oooh, I love that one too! I think I saw it at cbd.com, maybe cheaper?

I've been looking for the perfect one to let my children play with. BIL gave us a beautiful olivewood set he got in Israel, and they've nicked it up in a couple spots. :o(

Have you seen those sets that are made from snowmen/smores? ROFL. The height of tackiness.

Dannielle said...

I almost ordered it from cbd.com but in the end went with

http://www.great-quotes.com/html/8043.html

since for just a tiny bit more I got the shepherd too. And free shipping.

The ME set is very cute!

And, yes, I despise anything with those smores/snowmen...most especially the stuff at orientaltrading.com that has fun-foam marshmallows. Ewww!

Jenny said...

Being from down under I try to keep winter out of our Christmas decorations too. It usually only gets in through Christmas cards. There are so many northern hemisphere images of Christmas it sometimes makes our summer Christmas look as though it is lacking in magic. I made my own nativity scene some years ago from the instructions in "The Children's Year" It is starting to look a little ratty now so I may have to invest in a new one.

One Crabapple said...

I am not sure that I am completely ready to BRING ON CHRISTMAS but your blog is sure inspiring me and I do feel the first little ping of possibility...that...I ... might....get it !

Hey all the great tips on Fragrances for the house ! THANK YOU ! I am definitely going to try this. I am always wondering how those little shops stay so sweet smelling and wanting to make my house the same way....so now...I have a few secrets to try. Thank you for sharing.

Love, S.

One Crabapple said...

ps I love your little doll in the comment picture you have. The colors and felts are so yummy I want to eat it up with a spoon !

And I laughed at your Dolly Spa entry...YOu really do a lot of work on your wonderful dolls !

Unknown said...

LOL - you definitely would not want to see my house at Christmas time! I basically bring up the box of decorations and let me kids get out what they want to see and put them where they think they should go (with the exception of my complete Here Comes Santa Hallmark ornament collection). Things end up being placed willy-nilly with no rhyme or reason. My own mom NEVER let us help with the decorations, and everything had to be just so . . . I guess I am overcompensating now!

PS - I'm still in search of the perfect tree skirt!

Anonymous said...

Do you have a Boscov's near you? I saw that same Nativity set last year for under $50 on sale. I wanted it BAD, but I have rules too, and I have a Fontanini set because it looks "churchy" and holy to me LOL.

Dannielle said...

Nope, never heard of Boscov's. That set comes in 2 sizes though. I'm betting if it was under/near $50 it was the smaller sized set. Yeah, I needed the big set. LOL!