Thursday, December 23, 2010

Oh Christmas Tree!

This has been a crazy year in real life and blog life - I have been uplifted, amazed, disappointed, and frustrated...but in the end during these festive times, I like to sit in my living room turn the light offs and gaze at my Christmas tree and forget about it all. There is something very peaceful and heartwarming about a lit up tree in a dark room, twinkling and sparkling with hope and love. 
Last night we sat my the tree, sipping cider while the kids discussed their Christmas list. They were sweet and loving and I was at peace (and still which is rare)
...it was calm and lovely.

I have always looked forward to the tree and the lights that accompany Christmas. Each ornament has a story or a memory attached to it. Our tree this year was different, not as big, not as full and we used less ornaments...there are at least two ginormous tubs full of ornaments still! Next year...2 trees may be in order. 
I am joining up with Flamingo Toes and the ladies over
there to show off the tree and my favorite ornaments.
LOVE..my baby boy's hand print turned reindeer!

 My glittering flowers made from biscuits!
{you can go check out my guest post at Rook No. 17! about them}
 I have a small collection of angels. Only a few are on the tree this year.
 This heart was one of the first ornament I ever bought
for my very first tree in my own apartment.
 I like quirky...Santa Hula-ing in Maui and
Santa climbing Notre Dame are souvenirs from trips.

 Hubby's Mom gave us beautiful Santa ornaments every year.

 I love peacocks (well, their feathers and colors) and butterflies.

 I painted the little lady when I was 3-4 and my Mom made these stockings one year...1977!
 One of my Mother in Laws sent this when Joe was 3. He insisted on hanging it on the tree...I (had a lapse in judgment and) let him and he promptly dropped it...so it is broken, but I always hang it and can usually hide that there is no bottom.

 My advent calendar ornaments...the kids love them.
They look super-cute on the tree too!

Jules and I made these this year.

 A beautiful cake to commemorate our wedding.

 Everyone needs  Jack in the Box on their tree, right? Thanks MOM!

Or perhaps a Jabba the Hutt Princess Leia slave girl {I have 2 of these babies!} Thanks MOM...again!

Bells of all shapes and sizes. Legend has it my Dad was naughty and my Granny hung bells all along the bottom of the tree so she would know when he was messing with the presents. We carry on this tradition (although my kiddos are pretty good about leaving that stuff alone...the like the ornaments better!). My son explained the bell tradition to my daughter this year...so sweet listening to him...and it proves he does listen to me!
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To add to the tree, I add gems and glittering bows and chandelier crystals. It sparkles...it is magical..and we all enjoy being a part of decorating ti!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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BIG NEWS for TICKLED PINK
{or at least I think so}
Highlights will go up on Monday this week...I am outta here for Christmas (not really, but I shall spend time with family rather than the computer!)

Starting on 12/30/10 I will have a linky up for
THE BEST of 2010 and Tickled Pink.
(I need to make a button now!)

There will be three categories:
*Crafts/DIY/Decor*
*Recipes/Food/Drink*
*Writing/Stories/Fiction*

I am going to go through old tickled pinks (in all of my spare time) and look for the ones that really stood out. Feel free to drop me a line if you have some really spectacular to share. I'll post all week with yearly highlights!

18 comments:

  1. Holly your ornaments are so great!! I love the combination of family stuff, kids stuff, travel, and silly. So perfect for a family tree!
    Thanks so much for sharing them and linking up. It was really fun reading about them all. :)

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  2. I loved looking at your ornaments and reading about their history!
    Have a Merry Christmas!

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  3. Hi Holly, your tree is very unique and your ornaments Thanks for being my blogger friend this year! Merry Christmas to you and yours, hugs Simone

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  4. I love the the "hand" reindeer! Your ornaments are very special.
    Merry Christmas Holly!
    gail

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  5. Love your ornaments, Holly! I'm especially loving that super cute reindeer handprint. How adorable!

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  6. Busy running around before the BIG holiday but I wanted to pop over and tell you MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I'm happy to have met you Holly. <3

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  7. You're the decorating master.

    Merry Christmas Holly and to your family. Enjoy the "holly" days.

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  8. I love your ornaments,
    so original.

    Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

    Merry Christmas!

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  9. Merry Christmas Holly! Your tree is beautiful. Enjoy your holiday.

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  10. Hi Holly . . .

    I love your Granny's tradition of putting the bells at the bottom of the tree :) My mom would have loved to use that on my brother and I who were so bad about messing with the packages under the tree.

    Thank you for everything you do . . . love your blog :)

    Merry Christmas to you and your family . . . Gina

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  11. Holly, I just wanted to thank you for the gift of your blog this past year.

    You have been an inspiration and always so filled with kindness and joy.

    Bless you for that.

    Hope your holidays are filled with joy, peace and beauty.

    Hugs,
    Jenny Matlock

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  12. I just had to stop by and say "Happy Holidays" to you and yours.. I so enjoy your blog..
    hugggsss
    Sandy

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  13. Your tree looks amazing ! So many unique ornaments. Have a great Christmas and a lovely year ahead.

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  14. Hi Holly!

    Love your mix of nostalgic, cute, quaint, & fun ornaments! I enjoyed pulling out ornaments from my childhood, several with my boy's face on them ~ made in school for us, many from Disneyland, and yes, we've got our own sci-fi ornament on the tree....a talking, light up Star Trek shuttle craft (which has strict rules for how many times a kidlet or two may push the button! :>).

    I'm relishing the post celebratory day with a little girl playing with her new dolly, a boy playing with his Harry Potter legos & a hubs making me smile brightly as he finishes up the dishes (his trade for all the wrapping that still has to happen tonight after the kidlets head to bed....a bit late so they don't get up before dawn in the morning! :>). And looking forward to more celebrating & family tomorrow.

    Hope you are having a very Merry Christmas!!

    :> Karen

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  15. Holly, I hope you had a very merry christmas with your family! Thank you for all the inspirations you provide over here!

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  16. Hi Holly...

    I love peacocks too. They go so wonderfully with holiday decor....

    Just came across your blog....You have great ideas...

    Take care,
    Lisa

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  17. Fun post Holly! That Princess Leia is priceless... wishing you and your fam a happy healthy new year!!!

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  18. Holly, I'm so glad to hear that you and the kids got some time to slow down, relax, enjoy, and unwind.

    Your tree is beautiful, and managed to make even the Princess Leia look classy!

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Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation! I sure hope you come back for more!