A Pretty Little Christmas

Each year, I put out our handmade stockings and Christmas tree skirt that my mom and sister, Sherri, lovingly made. Each has special trinkets that are from my childhood. Oh, what a treasure they are!

I just love our bigger tree this year. Normally we cut down a tree that fits in our front window area, but this year the kids so wanted to get a larger tree so we decided to give me a treat and let them pick out a bigger tree - an 8 1/2 foot tree. So with ladder in hand we began decorating our tree.

Each year we add more handmade ornaments and are now decorating 3 large trees with them. As we place each ornament on the tree we are reminded of the person who made it and the significance of the ornament.

This year, I made the lighted house inspired by childhood memories of The Small Mall where children were able to pick out special presents for their parents. After choosing that special gift, the cashier would wrap it and we would go home and put it under the tree until Christmas.

When our children were smaller, we would take them to The Small Mall. Unfortunately, several years ago The Small Mall closed, so now I will always have a special reminder of all those wonderful Christmas memories with this lighted house.

I combine antiques that graced our Christmas tables as a child. Thanks Mom for these Santa cups and pitcher!

and handmade ornaments...

and handmade decorations...

to transform my house.

Christmas would not be complete with this soda pop bell, my Grandma Jones made oh so many years ago. My DH can't believe that this takes center stage in our main living room, but I couldn't imagine Christmas without it.

I hope you enjoyed my handmade Pretty Christmas... Come back tomorrow as I will be having a giveaway for a handmade snowflake ornament!