by Debbee | Dec 11, 2020 | Christmas, Holidays
To spread a little holiday cheer, I’m sharing my Santa Claus collection of figures, decor and tableware. Many were gifts, several are vintage, and others I made.
Dear hubby decorated the exterior of the house for Christmas, and has been helping me with the interior. Honestly, with my foot still in a walking boot, mostly I just point and say “please” and “thank you” a lot!
He’s been very patient, as I explain where my most treasured holiday decorations and dishes are stored. They’re spread across the basement, two floors and the attic; in cabinets, closets and boxes — even under beds!
Due to my limited mobility — and not being able to carry anything while I use a walker — I’ve had to scale back on decking the halls. Still, the house has a festive atmosphere, with a decorated mantle and live tree in the family room, and my Santa Claus collection prominently displayed throughout.
The best thing about my holiday decorations and tableware, aren’t the objects themselves, but the cherished memories and nostalgia they evoke.
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by Debbee | Feb 15, 2019 | Holidays
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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by Debbee | Dec 21, 2018 | Christmas, Winter
I’ve just finished setting the table for Christmas Day; trying to get a little ahead of the curve. Thought you might enjoy seeing it, along with my nutcracker collection centerpiece.
Two years ago, I was in Florida helping mom to downsize. At the time, my parents were living in a sprawling, four-bedroom home; planning a move into an apartment. Sistah B had already helped go through much of the clothing, artwork, sculptures, and decor items. Mom and I worked on the kitchen, bathrooms, smaller artwork, dining room, and her extensive holiday collection of decorations, ornaments and collectibles.
Most of the items had a great deal of sentimental value, and a number were handmade treasures. We spent several days going through the emotional, difficult process. As we accessed each item, we determined what was going in the house contents sale, to donate, or give to family members and friends.
Unfortunately, my two sisters and I simply could not absorb everything. After all, we are our mother’s daughters — having collected holiday decoration ourselves for decades! Plus, mom and dad had given us Christmas ornaments and decor every year since we were kids. None of the grandchildren were married or had homes yet, so they had no place to keep or display anything. That meant my sisters and I would have to store our children’s keepsakes too.
I selected the Christmas decorations and ornaments that had the most sentimental or nostalgic value to me, primarily items from my childhood. Some I had given to my parents, others I knew the boys were particularly partial to — like nutcrackers.
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by Debbee | Oct 30, 2018 | Fall, Halloween
Happy Halloween everyone! For the occasion, I want to share a family get-together that features a game of Green Ghost.
When I was a kid, Green Ghost was one of my favorite games. The haunted graveyard game is the first (and maybe only) board game designed to be played in the dark. A number of parts glow mysteriously, including a friendly-looking green ghost.
My sisters and I would play in the closet, under the basement steps, where it was nice and dark. We’d play year-round, and not just at Halloween.
Did you (or your kids) ever play Green Ghost? The game first came out in 1965, during the era when The Munsters and The Addams Family classic TV sitcoms were popular. I remember watching both, and loving their silly theme songs. My favorite was probably The Munsters, with it’s Frankenstein-like Herman. Which show did you like best? Or maybe you took your kids to see the more recent movie releases?
My boys were into Ghostbusters toys, even though the first movie came out before they were born. Eldest son was forever running around the house in snow boots, wearing a proton pack, zapping ghosts with his ecto-blaster, and storing them in a special trap. Back then, I forgot all about playing Green Ghost — until receiving a very special Christmas gift.
Join me for a family-friendly Halloween evening of eats, treats and a retro game (or two) of Green Ghost.
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by Debbee | Oct 5, 2018 | Halloween, Keepsakes
My favorite Halloween decorations are the ones that evoke the past and happy childhood memories. That’s why I decorate my home with Halloween costume photos of the boys, and seasonal arts and crafts projects they made way back when.
In, How to Create a Kid Keepsakes Gallery, I explain how I use a long wall in the finished basement to display arts and crafts created by my sons. I rotate the artwork seasonally, and in September swapped the pictures to back-to-school, fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving subjects.
Now that it’s October, I also bring out framed photographs of family members in Halloween costumes; placing them around house. I’ve also taken some of those Halloween costume photos and turned them into stand-up cutouts.
Let me show you a fun way to take pictures of your kids or grandchildren, and create easy DIY Halloween decorations the whole family will enjoy.
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