A while back, my friend Mary at Dark Thoughts did a post about weird stuff around her apartment. I enjoyed it so much, I thought I would do a similar post. Of course, I never got around to it until now. Maybe next year, I will do a series of these, if I ever get my act together! Without further adieu, here's what's hanging around my house right now:
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| Many people my age have an 'elf on a shelf' from their childhood. This is what my parents handed down to me. My musical elf plays 'Jingle Bells' when you wind up his back. His arms and legs move while the song plays. When my kids were little, this elf freaked them out so much that I never bothered putting him out on display. Even last week, my Middle Child commented on how ugly this poor guy is. I suppose I have maybe one more year to put him out until he scares the bejesus out of my grandson. |
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| It's a tradition in this house to watch A Christmas Story on Christmas Day while we play board games. My husband LOVES this movie. Our kids have purchased these collectibles for him. Yes, that's Ralphie, sitting on the toilet. If you are ever in Cleveland, you can visit the actual Christmas Story House, (Ralphie's house in the movie). |
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| Having a lot of children, my husband's mother didn't keep much from his childhood. Somehow, this Santa Star survived and winds up on our Christmas tree every year. It has to be close to 50 years old now. I've been known to secretly move it to the back of the tree. |
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| Does anyone else remember when ceramic trees were popular? The white one belonged to my grandmother and the green one belonged to my husband's grandmother. They are probably the Christmas decorations I cherish the most. Wishing All of You a Very, Merry Christmas! |
Cool stuff, except maybe the elf.
ReplyDeleteI used to listen to Jean Shepherd nights on the radio where he told stories of his youth, many which are now part of his movie "The Christmas Story." His movie was not a big hit, except to his listeners but became a hit when TV stations lost the rights to play "It's a Wonderful Life" all night long on Christmas Eve. His movie is now the Christmas eve staple to many people including myself.
Oh, that's really interesting that you remember listening to his show. The only radio show I listened to was one I wasn't supposed to! It was a late night Sunday scary tale that I listened to in bed with my transistor radio.
DeleteMom has a few of those trees. lol yeah, I'd move that santa to the back too. I gave my grandmother an elf that wiggles its other appendage, nope, not arms and legs lol she's too embarrassed to put it on display.
ReplyDeleteI guess you have an interesting relationship with dear old grandma? Lol!
DeleteAnd my husband would be very offended about your comment on his art work!
I remember having one of those ceramic Christmas trees back in the late 70s!
ReplyDeleteThey were quite popular!
DeleteOMG...I freaking LOVE your "elf on a shelf" because it reminds me SO MUCH of the one I had when I was a kid. However, back then we called them pixies!
ReplyDeleteAnd your collection of A Christmas Story collectibles is absolutely FAN-TAS-TIC! I especially love the lamp! Great movie, isn't it?
"Does anyone else remember when ceramic trees were popular? The white one belonged to my grandmother and the green one belonged to my husband's grandmother. They are probably the Christmas decorations I cherish the most."
HA! Yes, I do because we had them as well. And it amazes me that you STILL have them, that's FANTASTIC! Aren't you glad we grew up in the time that we did? I look back on those times with very fond memories!
Thanks so much for sharing, my friend. And MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your family!
X and cheers!
Oh, I forgot that they were called pixies back then!
DeleteSomeone in our neighborhood has a leg lamp, just like in the movie, that they put in their window. It actually looks really good due to the shape of the window!
My white tree did crack during one of our moves in 1990, but my husband glued it and it has survived ever since. I just turn the crack to the back! Ha! Yes, it was a fun time to grow up! Have a great Christmas, Ron!
My in-laws had a green ceramic tree. If I remember correctly, their's lit up so it must have had electricity somehow wired in that plugged into a wall. By the time we were going through their stuff, the tree existed but some bulbs were no longer there.
ReplyDeleteCute interesting oddities you have there :) Its part of tradition and that's a great thing I think!
Merry Christmas!
betty
Yes, they do light up! There's a light bulb inside with a cord you plug in and one of those plastic dial switches. My white one has the lights permanently glued in, but the green one, the little lights come out, so I can see why they would be easily lost.
DeleteTraditions really do make the holidays! Have a great one, Betty!
A woman's-leg table lamp? That's a new one on me. The elf on a shelf used to be non-existent here, but I gather it's catching on. Our Christmas decorations are pretty routine, including a wee fairy at the top of the (artificial) tree.
ReplyDeleteThe lamp is part of the movie, which you'd have to watch to understand. It's worth seeing if you get the chance.
DeleteVery nice. We used to put up 2 trees, one with the lame store-bought ornaments and the other with all home-made ornaments. Queenie couldn't stand to have 'em on the same tree until recent years so the kids always got to dress the 2nd tree up their way. I kinda miss it ....
ReplyDeleteThat elf needs to be the center-piece on the Christmas dinner table!
Not sure if you remember my post from years back about how many trees we decorate here. I think we are at 9 currently. Different theme for each!.
DeleteOh, I remember! I was trying to coax it outta you for your listening audience ;-)
DeleteWe have a 'snowball' ornament that Jenn made when she was in kindergarten. It's basically a solid ball of papier-mache, and I tease her that it looks like a white rock. She got a little agitated a few years ago, when one of our kids got a look of astonishment on her face when she hung it, saying, "Gosh, Mom, you made this more than 50 years ago!"
ReplyDeleteLOL.....yup! Ok, I must admit I have an ornament on the tree that I made in Girl Scouts. Guess I can put it in my post next Christmas! Hope you are well, Craig!
DeleteI've always liked the ceramic christmas tree's. I don't have one though. I refuse to buy one of those Elf on the Shelf things for my grandson. I find them a little creepy. lol
ReplyDeleteOh, they really are creepy! His smile implies some very bad deeds! Lol!
DeleteOh and thank you for the shout out. I meant to say that in my first comment. lol
DeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteOh, how I remember those ceramic Christmas trees.
ReplyDeleteMy mother loved ceramics and the store where she used to get her supplies had those trees. I think it's great that you've kept yours in the family.
We all loved "A Christmas Story," too. It's a real holiday classic.
Now that elf is a little creepy, but you never know--your grandson may like him!
I just saw a new ceramic tree for sale at a store the other day. I guess the nostalgia is bringing them back!
DeleteOh - I like the idea of posting "stuff around my house" photos. Maybe I'll steal this idea!
ReplyDeleteI remember my ex in-laws had one of those ceramic trees. They didn't have those in Germany, but I remember that we always had REAL candles on the REAL tree when I was a kid.
That would be fun to see inside your house! We bought tree candles and holders in Colonial Williamsburg one year, but never lit them!!!
DeleteThat Santa star is genius. Thanks for the tour around your house. Warm greetings!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteIsn't it funny the things that hold sentimental value for us. I have a few Christmas decorations that I'm sure would make others scratch their heads.
ReplyDeleteYes! Merry Christmas to you!
DeleteYour elf on the shelf reminds me of our Buzzy the Elf. haha Creepy little thing from wayyyyy back that belonged to Ron. It wasn't musical, just had that weird face and a burlap outfit. I have an album on FB about him. haha Ron also has a Ralphie, complete with gun. No ceramic trees, but I do have my aunt's ceramic leaf dishes.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't decorate quite as much this year... so none of that made it up from the basement. :(
Merry 'belated' Christmas... since our tree is still up, I don't feel bad saying that. It'll be mid-late January before anything gets put away. LOL
Hey Mary! Happy New Year to you! Miss you!
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