I imagine many are still celebrating Valentine’s Day; filling restaurants throughout the weekend or planning a special evening. In February, I move on parallel tracks, because I decorate for both Valentines and Presidents Day.
Since the two February holidays are just days apart, you’ll find a little of this, and a little of that around my house.
I’m not sure why I’m so into Presidents Day and early American History. Since I was a kid, I’ve been reading presidential and first lady biographies. I love visiting Monticello, Mount Vernon and other presidential homes, libraries and museums.
While living in Philadelphia during the Bicentennial, I became fascinated by George Washington.
Years later, I discovered a direct connection to him through my husband’s ancestor. Peacock, aka The Rebel Bird, was part of Washington’s spy network. He was also a quartermaster at Valley Forge, and at Cornwallis’ surrender in Yorktown. Read about him in, Celebrating Patriots on Independence Day.
Today, I’m sharing a few quick and easy ways I decorate for Presidents Day.
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Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness
Those were the unalienable rights Thomas Jefferson penned into the Declaration of Independence. He was also our third president and responsible for the Louisiana Purchase.
Jefferson is one of five figures from the Revolutionary era depicted on Lenox’s Patriots Bowl.
John Adams was another Founding Father. He was our second president, after serving as Washington’s vice president. And, Adams was father of our sixth president, John Quincy.
Benjamin Franklin and Patrick Henry (“Give me liberty, or give me death!”), are also depicted on the Patriots Bowl.
When my parents were downsizing, they gifted me the bowl. Its displayed on the dining room table during the month of February.
They also gave me dishes from Lenox’s Hancock pattern. Hancock is part of the Presidential Collection. I paired the dishes with a tablecloth purchased while Visiting Athens in Greek Tablescape & Olympic Torch Napkin Fold.
“Not be confused with the patterns Lenox has made for the White House, the presidential collection is made for the public and is named after presidents and other founding fathers. Patterns in this collection are similar since the pieces all share the same shape.”
Black and gold in the Hancock pattern coordinates perfectly with my Eclipse china seen in Exotic Peacock Tablescape.
Sistah B’s wedding china is also from the Presidential Collection. I believe it’s the lovely Monroe pattern? There are 12 different patterns in the very popular Lenox collection. Do you have any pieces?
Presidents Day Table
Meet Me at the Eiffel Tower Valentine is still set on the kitchen table. I plan to enjoy it through the weekend.
But, a vignette of Liberty Blue dishware decorates the countertop, along with a Byer’s Choice General Washington figure.
On Sunday afternoon, I’ll quickly swap Paris for a Presidents Day Table with Liberty Blue.
Abe will join George in the centerpiece in honor of their shared birthday holiday.
Another Give Me Liberty Blue Tablescape Celebrates July 4th. George hangs out on that table too.
Are there any patriotic Byers’ Choice figures decorating your home?
Big Bucks
Throughout the year, I frequently decorate the house with seasonal photographs of the family. Yep, that even includes Presidents Day! Please pardon the quality of these pre-digital camera pictures from the last millennium!
When the boys were in elementary school, Presidents Day was always a big deal. I think it was first grade when they made large dollar bills and General Washington hats from construction paper.
Aren’t the white curly locks a hoot?!
Do you have any pictures of your kids or grandchildren from Presidents Day? Maybe sporting Lincoln’s stovepipe hat or beard?
Living Museum
Youngest son chose to be General Washington for our elementary school’s first ever, ‘living’ wax museum.
Are you familiar with the learning program? It’s basically an interactive display where students are dressed as famous individuals. In my son’s school, it was figures from American History. Other classmates portrayed Benjamin Franklin, Henry Ford and Jonas Salk.
See the little blue ‘button’ on his lapel? Parents and grandparents approach a student ‘frozen’ in place. When they tap the button, the child comes to ‘life’, reciting significant facts about the individual they portray.
I had a blast crafting the Washington costume! In fact, I still have the hat and jacket stored in my cedar closet — pack rat that I am! (Rita, are you rolling your eyes right now?) Heh, it might come in handy for grandkids one day…
Make Your Own President
Here’s the ingredients to easily and inexpensively create your own little general for Presidents Day:
- White fitted pants were from baseball uniform
- White shirt was one of my old ones, w/lace trim attached to create ruffled front & cuffs
- Navy blazer from a resale shop
- Shoulders decorated with star buttons & gold trim to create the look of epaulettes
- Cheap metallic gold satin fabric covers lapels
- More star buttons, gold trim attached to lapels & cuffs
- Velveteen women’s hat from resale shop (turned sideways)
- Brim tacked up at front & back
- Gold trim wrapped & tied to create tassel
- Wig created with cotton stuffing, tied with red ribbon
- Son’s black snow boots
- Created gold satin cuff to cover tops, with tassels added
- Husband’s belt with plastic play sword
- Bennington Flag from Bicentennial
- Large tin can filled with sand to support flag
I was initially delighted the following October when my son wanted to be Washington for Halloween. He and his other buddies were going to recreate the living museum — zombie version! Eeek! Well, that got quickly vetoed as totally inappropriate by yours truly.
But, for some reason, I was perfectly fine with him being a werewolf instead. Go figure.
February is for Valentines & Presidents
In my finished basement is a long wall used to display seasonal artwork. For Mother’s Day, I shared How to Create a Kid Keepsakes Gallery.
During the month of February there are still snowmen, penguins and skiers decorating the wall, along with a not-so-shiny, Lincoln penny for Presidents Day.
Abe is surrounded by love in the form of Valentines made by the boys.
I hope you are surrounded by love this weekend too.
We’ll be staying in, caring for My Fuzzy Funny Valentine, as Fibber continues to recover from major surgery.
Special thanks to all who offered support, prayers, hugs and good wishes. And, it was fun getting to know other Scottie moms like Kay.
Caring — a sweet reminder of what Valentines is all about. Have a great weekend all.
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Lol, no I wasn’t rolling my eyes, Debbee! However, I was relieved to know that my girls have committed to taking several of my / their treasured memorabilia including costumes, uniforms, newborn & first yr outfits, Spice Girl dolls (oh yes) and more…..
I don’t decorate for Presidents’ Day, and only a nod toward Valentine’s Day, but you sure make it look fun to do. Love those living museum events.
Have a great weekend. Tell Fibber he’s a star.
I’m sure you are delighted the girls are taking treasured belongs. With my single sons both living in urban condos with little storage for even everyday stuff, it’ll be awhile until they take possession of anything. Don’t even start me on all the kid toys and books I’ve got stuffed in closets — Lego’s, Star Wars, Brio, Playmobil… You have Spice Girls, I have Power Rangers and Ghost Busters!
Fibber is doing well. Struggle right now is as he gets back to his normal, high energy level, it’s difficult to keep him on puppy bed rest. Will be happy when we can do without that darn collar and crating. This weekend will be 1000% better than last — I’ll take quiet and stay at home happily.
That Presidential bowl is really unique. I have never seen one. I have to admit that I’ve never created any special attention for Presidential Day. I visited Philadelphia several years ago and I loved the sense of history and patriotism you feel there. That’s so cute how your son was dressed up as George Washington. Love the giant dollar bill he made and the hat! What great memories were created! I hope Fibber is feeling much better and will be back to normal soon.
After reading your comment, I realize that I’m so into Presidents Day because of memories surrounding the boys and the holiday. Youngest son is in Philly now and has shown a renewed interest in Peacock and Quaker ancestors who lived there. He lives in the historic Fairmont District surrounded by buildings of that era. If you get back there, I highly recommend Valley Forge and the nearby Revolutionary War museum where Washington’s tent is on display.
The Patriots Bowl is actually not so unique, and is easily found online. Originally, I thought it was collectible and wanted my parents to benefit from selling it. But, Replacements only offered $20, plus we’d have to pay for packing, shipping and insurance. Some idiot on eBay has it listed for $500! Other more reasonable listings on Etsy $50-$80.
Debbee you have the energy of 20 bloggers with all your unique and beautiful tablescapes and decor.
I have swooned over your Byers figurines ever since I first saw them in your President’s Day tablescape last year…I went to the site and put them on my wish list and in my future budget. They are expensive but well worth the wait and saving up. I have several Christmas and Thanksgiving figurines from them.
Using this and that for the George Washington costume was genius. Your boys have to be proud of their mom, especially now in retrospect.
I hear and feel your pain with fibber. Not to long ago Jesse James got very sick and the original diagnosis was seizures. Since then, the vet called them “episodes”…which means she couldn’t figure out what happened. She had prescribed Phenobarbital twice a day. After watching him for a week, (at my suggestion)she said to cut it to once a day. After a week of that, I made an executive decision and took him off it completely! Jesse still gets up a little crooked and stiff when he has been sleeping for a while, but I get up a little crooked and stiff when I have been idle too. I think Jesse and I are just easing into old age, maybe not gracefully, but with all the aches and pains of arthritis etc. LOL
Dear Kari, you give me far too much credit. I’ve only been blogging for 15 months, but many of the posts are based on My Favorite Things Parties and decorations from years past. My fav Byers’ Choice are the Thanksgiving and patriotic figures. Maybe you can locate a few on Etsy for less? I’ll look forward to you sharing them on your blog.
I loved making costumes for Halloween, plays, and projects. I get that from my mom. A number of outfits were loaned to nieces and nephews. But they all evidently got stuffed into the downstairs closet. My boys have always been very appreciative. I think their favorite is the Teenage Mutant Turtle my mother made — it’s pretty incredible!
So sorry to hear about Jesse James (what a fabulous name!) — what breed or mix is he? Boy, did I chuckle over the crooked and stiff remark — I’m with you girlfriend! If they felt Fibber had cancer, hubby and I would have probably let him go to spare him the suffering, but it would have broken my heart. The biggest problem right now is trying to keep a high energy, loves to play and run terrier on puppy bed rest.
I’m a dish girl like you. I’m gonna have to do Tablescape Thursadays and Dishin it and Diggin it. I loved this post, and seeing your boys’ old pictures, crafts, and costumes. I’ll be back to see that blue transferware on President’s Day!
Do you think there’s a support group for gals like us Kristie? I think we bloggers actually enable each other — all these fab tablescape posts and finds that fuel the need to acquire more stuff! The two blue transferware tables are already posted: Presidents Day Table and Give Me Liberty Blue if you want to take a looksie.
I wasn’t sure how those old pix and crafts would go over — delighted you enjoyed them. Still waiting to see what my sons think of me sharing their childhood photos…!
Great ideas! My Virginia heritage was sparked by your mention of so many Virginia presidents. I love your family connection to the Peacock Patriot!
Glad Fibber is getting better. You will be interested to know that we searched for a lost Scottie girl who had been rescued from a puppy mill and was on her way to a forever home. She bolted and was lost in a wooded area near our house. We took Miss Ginny to help search but only caught a glimpse of her just briefly. Later, someone did catch her and turned her in to a local vet’s office. She is now back with the foster mom. We were so afraid for that little girl!
Kay, I think knowing at least some of our heritage (particularly back to those who first immigrated here) can be very enlightening and humbling. Makes me very appreciative, even if thanks to my research my husband’s side of the family can boast more illustrious ancestors (at my house the guys refer to my condition as “ancestor envy.”)
What a relief to have found the rescue Scottie! It was so nice of you to help in the search.
Wow…you are amazing. I have a whole barn full of stuff, but not nearly what you have. The only art work from one of my children is from my daughter. Her kindergarten teacher asked the children in her class to draw a picture of their Daddy at work. My husband was an IRS agent and was in law school. How do you draw that? So, the only thing my daughter could think of was…”My Daddy Sells Balloons at the Zoo.” Her teacher called me and said…”I think you should keep this picture…Your daughter has quite an imagination…”
Carolyn, what can I say, I’m a sentimental ‘ol pack rat! I so enjoyed your story about your daughter’s artwork! If I were your husband, I’d have it framed and hanging on a wall. It took awhile for my sons to understand what their dad did as an engineer — for years, I suspect they thought he drove a train!
I love this post as I, too, am a history seeker, and I chuckle at how many things I like that you like as well. I have this patriots bowl in our parlor, and a spare one stored — just in case of an accident with the first one (I love the bowl that much!), I have quite a bit of Lenox in a corner unit piece and in our dining room, so that bowl goes beautifully with it all. I’ve always felt that bowl to be a unique item. I have our Byer’s fifer, drummer, and good old George out for President’s Day as well–they are perfect for celebrating P. Day and the 4th. of July. You never cease to amaze me with all your talents–your son’s G.W. costume is wonderful! Hubby and I both thought the come-to-life historical character idea was brilliant and a really fun way to make history interesting for everyone. I have the Lenox Westchester and Tuxedo gold china that were listed as presidential–is that part of what your talking about? Looking forward to seeing your Hancock pattern–those colors are so elegant! Hugs!
One of the best parts of blogging and following bloggers is finding kindred spirits! I chuckled that you have 2 Patriots Bowls! Westchester is definitely one of the 12, but Tuxedo was not mentioned.
Thank you for your compliments on the GW costume — it’s amazing what being under a time crunch can inspire LOL! The best part is how much my son enjoyed wearing it; like the big smile on his face when I asked him to pose. That wax museum program is exceptional I think. A search online turned up teachers posting about their different spins on it. Fun to see.
Those bowls are beautiful. Love seeing the old photos of the boys dressed up!
Thanks Jo, thanks for visiting! My mom made all our Halloween costumes growing up, and I really enjoyed doing the same for my boys — including for plays, parties, etc.
There’s a lot to be said for kids’ artwork and patriotic costumes! And your dishware as usual is fabulous. xo Kathleen
Thanks Kathleen, love an occasion to use the vintage Liberty Blue dishes. And, it’s always fun to decorate the house with old, seasonal photos of the boys — not that they like that so much, LOL!
Cute ideas for celebrating! I’ve only recently begun to really enjoy learning about history as I started teaching my boys and found so many great books, movies, and historical places to visit with them. For me that has been a much better way to absorb history than just reading a dry textbook.
Your boys are lucky to have you taking them on a wonderful educational journey. Visiting sites helps to bring history to life. We have always enjoyed taking our sons to museums, battlefields, historic buildings, etc. I’ve loved history all my life. When I was a kid I wanted to be an archeologist and study Egypt, Rome and Greece in particular.
What a fun post, Debbee! My husband was obsessed with the presidents when he was growing up. He knew them all in order and would recite them for family members. haha I just love the living wax museum idea, and that costume is simply amazing!
It’s so interesting how people develop certain interests and hobbies. Wish your hubby a happy Prez Day Pam! We’ll be having cherry pie to celebrate the occasion here. I think the living museum was one of the neatest educational projects my sons ever did. Hoping it’s spread to other elementary schools around the country.
Debbee, you’ve got a lot going on at your home, and with Fibber care, even more work. I enjoyed the old photos, and thinking about what nice memories you created for your kids. Plus the special Lenox’s bowls!
Thanks for adding to the fun at Friday with Friends 🙂
Kinda ironic celebrating Presidents Day this year — during the impeachment trial for insurrection. But, in a way, it’s an opportunity to honor the great men who helped to create and preserve our democracy. I actually published this post a couple of years ago. Fibber did recover and we had 10 more wonderful months with him. This year, I have a new Scottie puppy we just brought home a few days ago.