Tag Archives: Decor

Decor – Fontanini Nativity Display

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When decorating our home at Christmas it is never complete until we set up the nativity set.  When I was a child my mother had a beautiful nativity set with hundreds of pieces that she always set up under our Christmas tree every year.  I remember lying on the floor just looking at that display and sometimes when my mother wasn’t looking, I played with the pieces. Unfortunately, after my mother passed away this year, I don’t know what happened to her nativity set.  It would have been nice to have one or two pieces for remembrance!

1971 Christmas - Mom and Barbara

When I first got married and started decorating my own home, I knew I wanted a nativity set and I took my time looking for the right one.  There is a wonderful Christmas store in Solvang, California that has been there since 1967 called Jule Hus. (solvangschristmasstore.com)  They sell beautiful Old European glass ornaments, German Nutcrackers, Christmas Angels, and Fontanini Nativity sets.  We loved going to the store whenever we visited Solvang and it didn’t matter what time of year because as soon as we walked through the doors it was always Christmas!

After years of searching I finally found the perfect nativity set that I wanted at Jule Hus.  I bought a beautiful Fontanini set that included a stable, Gloria the angel, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in a manger.  Over the years I added more pieces; the three wise Men and their camels, shepherds and their flock of sheep, also a set of ox, donkeys and goats, palm trees and a star that hangs suspended over the nativity set.  It will never be as big as my mother’s nativity set, but it is small enough to display anywhere in the house.  We have display it in an oak cabinet in our California house.  Now that we have moved to the Midwest, I have displayed the nativity set in several different places, such as: in the library on top of an old piano from Germany and last year I had displayed the nativity set on a lovely heirloom table that we received from my husband’s Grandmother.

One thing remains the same no matter wherever it is displayed, traditionally the manger stays empty until Christmas Eve.  On that evening we read from a beautifully illustrated book that tells the story of the birth of Jesus.  After we are done reading, my daughter will put baby Jesus in the manger and we say a prayer.  It is a lovely moment to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas and a family tradition that we love to celebrate every year.

    

Tradition of the Nativity scene or crèche

A nativity scene or crèche depicts the birth of Jesus.  The main figures are the infant Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  Other figures include angels, shepherds and the three wise men known as the Magi.  Usually the scene takes place in a barn or stable with Mary and Joseph and a manger for Jesus.  Usually displayed with nativity are various animals such as a donkey, ox and the camels belonging to the three wise men.  Sometimes, more elaborate nativities will display different scenes from the village, such as: the Inn and the Innkeeper and the other village merchants and craftsmen.

During the Christmas season, the tradition of the nativity scene is created all around the world.  There are many different types of nativities that represent the various countries and the cultures of the native people.  Known as the Szopka, the traditional Polish nativity dates back to the 13th century and was originally carried from door to door by performance groups that told the story of the birth of Jesus. There is a famous annual competition held in Krakow’s main square and prizes are awarded for the most elaborately decorated nativity scenes. The construction of these modern nativity scenes often use the design elements found in Krakow’s historic architecture and include Gothic spires, Renaissance facades and Baroque domes.

Mass produced nativity sets are now available worldwide in all different types of materials and every price range.  One of the most successful companies is Fontanini.  The House of Fontanini was founded in 1908 in Bagni di Lucca, Italy.  They produce and hand paint cast resin figures in several different sizes that range from 2.5″ to 50″ tall.  The most popular sizes are the 5″ and 7″ figurines and are currently distributed by the Roman Inc. since 1973.  They are usually sold by Christmas ornament suppliers such as Bronner’s. (www.bronners.com)  These treasured nativity pieces are very collectible and would make a great family heirloom to pass onto future generations.

If you also display a Nativity Set, I would love to see your photos!

Decor – Department 56 North Pole Village

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North Pole Village 2012

The Department 56 North Pole Village is one of the highlights of our Christmas decorations.  It brings me great joy to create something whimsical for the family during the holiday season.  Even with the same main buildings displayed every year; such as Santa’s Workshop, Elves’ Bunkhouse, Reindeer Barn and Santa and Mrs. Clause’s Home and the North Pole Gate – the display can look different from one year to the next.

When I unpack the boxes from storage every year, I will try to arrange the various buildings and accessories in different ways.  Some years I will even display the Department 56 North Pole in a different room of the house.  Last year I added a mountain platform and a blue sky background.  Please, take a look at the photos below and see how the display has changed over the years.

So, if you have one of the Department 56 villages, think about displaying it in a new way or perhaps even in a different room.  Maybe purchase another building or accessory to add to the collection.  Suddenly, with a little creativity or spending just a little money, a Christmas village can look fresh and new.

    

History of the Department 56 Villages

Over 25 years ago Department 56 began as a part of the premiere retail florist, Bachman’s, in Minneapolis, MN.  Bachman’s used a numbering system to identify each of their departments and the number assigned to the wholesale gift department was 56.  Department 56 has been a leader in the collectible, home and holiday decorative products and is now a division of the Enesco Company.

Known for their Christmas Village and Snowbabies collections, the brand began with the Snow Village six ceramic houses in 1976.  Some of the names of the original houses were the Mountain Lodge, Gabled Cottage and Inn.  Currently the collection consists of over 225 pieces and accessories.

The Heritage Village Collection started with the porcelain Dickens Village in 1984.  The charming houses depict the time of Charles Dickens and are named for places or characters relating to the stories he wrote.  Some of the pieces are The Old Curiosity Shop, Scrooge and Marley Counting House and the Cottage of Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim.

The New England Village was introduced in 1986 and includes churches, such as the Old North Church in Boston, lighthouses and other buildings and places in the New England area.

The Alpine Village collection started in 1986 and some of the pieces have very European names, such as Josef Engel Farmhouse, Bessor Bierkeller and St. Nicholas Kirche Church.

The Christmas in the City collection was introduced in 1987 and depicts American life from 1930 to1940.  Pieces include the Palace Theatre, Ritz Hotel, Dorothy’s Dress Shop and St. Mark’s Church.

The North Pole Series started in 1990 and the first pieces introduced were Santa’s Workshop, Elf Bunkhouse and Reindeer Barn.

The Little Town of Bethlehem collection was issued in 1987 and there were only twelve pieces.

For further information on Department 56 Villages or to see what houses and accessories are currently available or to get additional ideas see their website.  www.department56.com

Decor – Christmas Wreaths

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At Christmas time, I decorate with several different wreaths throughout the house; some are traditional in design while others are more whimsical.  There is always a wreath on the front door to greet our holiday guests in a festive way along with the other front porch decorations.   Every year it is a different one and I have a couple of wreaths that I rotate from year to year.  One it is a large pine wreath decorated with pinecones and red berry sprays, another one is a wreath covered completely with velvet holly leaves and then another is a pinecone wreath with holly leaves and red berries.

Christmas wreaths are not just for the front door – try using them in other rooms of the house.  We have a fairly large size kitchen that is open to the family room and there are several areas that I decorate for Christmas.  One area had a long counter work space with two chairs (this is where my daughter does her homework while I am cooking dinner).  I have a Department 56 gingerbread train that is displayed in the space above the cabinets with two large pine boughs and red “sugared” berries.  To complete this area, I hang two holly leaves and berry wreaths from the doors of the cabinets.  The decorations are out of the way so they don’t take up any counter space and the wreaths are hung from long hooks so the cabinet doors can still be opened.

    

Other ideas for wreaths:

  • Use several baby themed ornaments on a wreath to hang from the door to the baby’s room.
  • Use several Barbie ornaments on a wreath to hang from the door to a little girl’s room.
  • Use several Matchbox cars attached to a wreath to hang from the door to a little boy’s room.
  • Use seashells and starfish for a beach themed wreath in the bathroom.
  • Use screwdrivers and wrenches (check before using!) for a tool themed wreath in the garage.

Last month I posted a Craft project for a special Memory Wreath decorated with small photo frame ornaments.  For Thanksgiving I used family photos but for the Christmas season you can use photos from your children’s visits to Santa or maybe use your children’s school photos taken over the years.  It is a wonderful way to remember special times and to see how much your children have grown and changed!

For more wreath projects, please look for this week’s Craft post.  I will show you how to create three unique wreaths using a collection of themed ornaments – two different Department 56 wreaths using small ornament houses from the Dickens and North Pole collections and also a Disney character wreath.

So, please let me know what you think of these wreath ideas or send me a photo of ones that you have made – I would love to see them!

Decor – Christmas Stockings / Fireplace

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Every year decorating the mantel is one of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season.  I actually have three sets of stockings that I’ve used over the years.  When my son moved back in with us a few years ago, I bought new matching burgundy velvet stockings, trimmed with white fur and accented with silver and crystal initial pins.  Since my son has moved back to California, this year we will pull out of storage the three red and white knitted stockings from previous years.  They usually hang from beautiful bronze stocking holders and sit on the mantel over the fireplace.  This is the stocking that was used when my daughter was younger and it will be saved for her when she gets older.  I plan to give it back to her as a special present the first Christmas after she gets married.  My son will also get his childhood stocking when he gets married and it is packed away in his box of childhood things.  I got this idea from my mother.  She had saved our Christmas stockings and gave them to us when we were older. I thought that was a wonderful thing to do and I wanted to do the same for my children. There is a third set of stockings packed away and they are made of a lovely burgundy brocade fabric.  These were used the first year that my husband and I were married.   I’m sure years from now on our “first empty nesters Christmas” we will bring them out of storage and use them again!

As you might know from reading my previous posts, I like to use my holiday decorations in different ways every year.  It challenges my creative skills and saves on the cost of purchasing new decorations every holiday season.  This year I am going to try something new and instead of displaying my Department 56 North Pole Village in the family room bookshelf I am going to place the porcelain houses and their accessories on the fireplace mantel.

Usually all year-round I have a lovely painting of Sandringham, the Queen of England’s Norfolk estate hanging above the fireplace This year because I will be displaying the North Pole Village I felt the painting did not fit the theme of Christmas.  I looked around several retail stores hoping to find a Santa Claus or a winter scene picture but I couldn’t find anything I liked within my budget.  I know Thomas Kincaid has several paintings of lovely Christmas cottages but they are a little pricey.  So, I decided to create a custom sign to get the look I really wanted.

Last year I used a Christmas decal on the back of our car and I used this for inspiration; it reads “Santa Claus is coming to town”.  I thought it would be perfect to use for the sign but I needed to give it a much more substantial look.  My husband cut a piece of MDF board to my desired length and painted it white.  Then using painter’s tape for a straight line, I painted three boarders of three different colors.  The first was a Christmas Red color, then a Pine Tree Green color and finally I painted a thinner border of an Antique Gold color.  It still looked a little plain so I added some bronze jingle bells to give it some dimension and I think it turned out very nice.  Most of the materials we already had at the house so the cost was very minimal and I created a wonderful custom look to go with the Department 56 North Pole display and we love it!!

In years past I have decorated the fireplace mantel several different ways using a pine garland, red berry sprays and holly leaves  This always make a great base for creating different looks from one Christmas to the next.  One year I used special Christmas fames with photos of our children’s visits to Santa or family photos from past Christmas.  Then, another year I scattered porcelain snowflakes throughout the pine garland and it had a very festive winter theme.  When I displayed my Boyd’s Bear ornament collection I used two strands of ball lights, one in red and the other in green and I scattered the ornaments on the mantel amongst the garland.

As you can see no two displays looked the same!!  Let me know what you think.

    

STOCKING HANGING TIPS:

  • To secure stockings on the underside of a wooden mantel, use heavy-duty cup hooks or C-hooks.  (The hooks I use are so well hidden that I leave them there all year)
  • When purchasing decorative stocking hangers, I recommend the heavy metal kind with a lot of “weight” to them so they don’t tip over after the stockings have filled on Christmas Eve.
  • If you are leaving the stockings out before Christmas as decoration during the holiday season, be sure to stuff them with tissue paper for a fuller look.  You can remove the tissue paper on Christmas Eve before the stockings are filled by Santa!
  • It doesn’t matter the style or material used for Christmas stockings, just make sure they have ample room for Christmas goodies – your family will be glad you did!!  NOTE: When using knitted stockings make sure they are lined for easier filling!
  • Don’t forget stockings for the animals – our pets have their own stocking we fill with treats and toys!

So, have fun trying new ideas by using your holiday decorations in different ways … you might be pleasantly surprised!!

Decor – Christmas Trees

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During the Christmas season our home is decorated with several different Christmas trees in various rooms of the house.  The multiple trees started out of necessity because our large ornament collection would just not fit on just one Christmas tree!  It was also a good decorative decision to have more than one tree to display our different themed ornament collections on separate trees to fully see and appreciate each collection properly.

Our main Christmas tree is very traditional in design and we use a large seven foot pre-lite Christmas tree that we purchased several years ago at Costco.  My husband used to struggle for hours untangling and putting the lights on the tree and now the set-up time is so much quicker and easier.

After my husband brings the Christmas ornament storage boxes up from the basement, my daughter and I love to spend the time unwrapping and admiring the beautiful ornaments and thinking about the special memories that each ornament represents before finding the perfect spot to hang them on the tree.  We usually play some festive Christmas music or watch a Christmas movie while we are decorating the tree.

To start the decorating process and before any ornaments are hung, I use large red berry sprays inserted into each tree branch to give added fullness.  Next, I hang inexpensive solid red glass ball ornaments on the inside branches of the tree to fill more space.  The berry sprays and red ornaments help to unify the tree design and the red color looks amazing with the green of the tree.

Now we start hanging the Hallmark ornaments from our large collection, the ornaments collected on our family trips to Disneyland and Walt Disney World and the ornaments purchased as fun inexpensive souvenirs on our family vacations.  My children have even more special ornaments to hang on the tree that remind them of their different sport or school activities throughout the years, like Boy Scouts, gymnastics, swim lessons and ice skating or snow skiing.  We have even bought ornaments to remember an extra special Halloween costume.

To complete the tree, we use a beautiful porcelain angel dressed in a burgundy velvet fur trimmed dress and white feather wings.  We’ve had this special angel since my daughter was born and it is my husband’s honor to place it on the tree top every year.

When our ornament collection grew to such a large size and it included various themed ornament series, I decided that we needed multiple trees to see and appreciate each collection separately.  We now decorate several small Christmas trees throughout the house.  My husband has his Star Trek tree on the wooden file cabinet in his office.  My son has his Star Wars tree on a pedestal in his bedroom.  My daughter has her Barbie tree (some years it is her collection of Disney princess ornaments) on the desk in her bedroom.  In the kitchen, I have small tree decorated with gingerbread and candy ornaments.  In past years I have decorated and displayed Disney and Boyd’s Bears themed Christmas trees.

    

There are also other Christmas trees in various rooms of the house that are part of several different displays.  In the entry way on a wooden bench is a Santa in a beautiful white embroidered cloak with two elves.  There is one tree on the fireplace hearth with an old fashioned Santa dressed in lovely red velvet cloak with two reindeer.  In the dining room on the chest of drawers is a porcelain dark-haired doll dressed in a red wool coat, hat and black fur muff and displayed with a reindeer and a wooden sled.  Even in the bathroom there is woodland small Santa dressed in a corduroy coat and fishing box and this year I will be adding several small forest animals.