These are tomten that my parents brought back from a trip to Sweden. I have eight of them, but these four like to hang out in the ceramic archery tableau that Justin made. My mother retired from the postal service with big dreams of traveling. She and my father went on a trip to Sweden, met relatives, and had a grand time. Shortly after they returned my mother was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and she didn't get to travel anymore. These tomten remind me of the importance of doing things when you can because time is never guaranteed (plus they look cute and mischievous!)
This sparkly sequined ornament is not really my style, but when Ryan was young and before Justin was born, we used to go to church rummage sales. He picked out this ornament kit, and when he was not willing to part with it, we bought it, brought it home, and put it together. It's not perfect, but we had a good time together, and I think we did pretty well considering one of the crafters was only two years old. It reminds me of the sweetness of that two-year-old and that good enough can often be far better than fussing over perfection.
Our nativity set is full of memories. John built the manger out a clementine box (back when they were wooden) and some plywood. You can't see them very well, but the kids helped paint a star and there is also an owl painted on the rafters inside. We found inexpensive figures of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the three kings, a shepherd, and animals that we liked, and the boys were happy to set them up, finding just the right spots for all of them.
It turns out that Justin had stolen a "holy raccoon" figurine, but we didn't discover this until much later, and he has graced the nativity ever since. At some point, Ryan added the "holy hedgehogs" so they also have a place of honor next to the raccoon. Not exactly traditional, but they remind me that the message doesn't always have to be conveyed in the usual conventional way.
What are your favorite decorations? I hope they hold lots of memories for you and bring you happiness!
I think it goes without saying that I don't have any Christmas decorations, but I do enjoy other people's. I love that the ones you've chosen to put out all have special memories associated with them. Especially love the holy hedgehogs!
ReplyDeleteEvery créche needs holy hedgehogs! :-) I just love your special decorations, Bonny. Thanks for sharing them -- and their stories -- today. I especially love the Swedish tomten, and the reminder they bring. (My favorite decoration is a silly little ceramic elf sitting in a wreath of plastic holly. It was a decoration of my mom's that was a favorite from my childhood, and it gives me such joy to get it out each year.)
ReplyDeleteI too have some favorite Christmas things - most of which were made by my kids! I did not know about tomten! But, I love the holy raccoon and hedgehogs! :)
ReplyDeleteThese are ll so precious Bonny! Thank you for sharing. I remembering you mentioning the Holy Raccoon in another post, so I am glad to see him (and the Holy Hedgehogs are wonderful too). I have some "treasures" that are similar to the ornament you and Ryan put together. I can't bear to part with them! Like Kat, I did not know about tomten - but I love the message they bring. And they do look a bit mischievous which is always fun!! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWe always had a holy dog in our nativity, I have the set that belonged to my mother and the dog is my favorite piece...always so faithful & loyal. Several years ago I visited Israel and spent a few days in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and the nativities there all had dogs front & center!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a holy dog in a nativity, but I'm very glad to hear that you have one, and that they are loyal and faithful in Bethlehem, too!
DeleteThe decorations that bring precious memories are always the best. I don't decorate much either, and the older I get the less I like to do it, and the more it seems like too much work. (Insert photo of Grinch here, I guess.) I love the narrative that your decorations tell, and I know they are well worth the effort. And as usual, I learned something from you. Didn't know what a tomten was, but now I do!
ReplyDeleteBig Bird, Cookie Monster and Ernie! I don't know where they came from but they are placed on a shelf first every year! Love your holy animals!
ReplyDeleteThese are 3 wonderful reminders of the things that really matter during the Christmas season and beyond.
ReplyDeleteMy fave decoration: silver icicles for the tree. Always loved to throw them from a slight distance. I have a few cherished decorations, made by my mother. Enjoyed your three Christmas memories. Thx for sharing ... and enjoy !
ReplyDeleteCheers~
The tree the tree the tree! I love our Nativity scenes . The Christmas dishes and China. I need a COOKIE....as in now
ReplyDeleteI've put cookies in the freezer so I could resist eating all of them (but I have plans to make a batch tomorrow.)
DeleteI have decorated less these past two years because of the cat. However, I like the 'less is more' feeling. The decorations that are out feel even more special since I chose them over others.
ReplyDeleteThe stories that come with Christmas decorations are the best part. Stories from past years are the best part of Christmas. I have a big stuffed Santa that Mylo is terrified of, which is good because he won't go near him. Years ago I needlepointed a number of Santa's. I put some of my favorite out each year interspersed among the menorah's. We liked a mixed up Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sweet post. Decorating is my least favorite thing about the holidays and so like you, I get out fewer things. I love your little nativity set and the story of how the boys added the woodland animals. Since I am not having little ones here this year, I put out my Mom's three Dickens' Christmas houses with lights. She long wanted to have some of them so about five years before she died, we started giving them to her. She loved to get them out. Hand knit stockings and Gram's Christmas angels, a nativity set with two Joseph's are among my favorites.
ReplyDelete