Christmas 2021: Just the Name We Need

IMMANUEL: God with us.  What does it mean? 

Sermons -- Warren Wiersbe

**

Oh, Christmas Tree & the Skunk

 A poor skunk made a mess  out of our Christmas tree while it was stored in our outdoor shed.  The creature became trapped and spewed out its aroma far & wide. Bye, bye artificial xMas tree.

Below is our new birch-branch wall Christmas tree.  It can only accommodate  about 10% of our total ornaments; and I have yet to take out our really nice ornaments from storage.  However, I am beginning to like❤ our tree-- space saver, natural, reusable, simple, affordable -- yay!

Samples of other wall trees:

Wall Christmas Tree

A Saviour is born!

**

Hobby Lobby: Giant Red Velvet Poinsettia Flower

 Whoa! This over-sized red Poinsettia  caught my attention as I hurriedly made my way to Hobby Lobby's WC. It so attracted me that it remained on my mind and I decided to purchase it a day later. The fake flower's presence in the midst of our rather dull-looking plants instantly made them a part of our Christmas decor and festivities.

Velvet Poinsettia, large

**

MacKenzie Childs: Cool Moose & Nutcrackers

My 3 youngest children have indulged me. First was this gorgeous pillow for my birthday -- my first ever purchase of a Nutcracker-related item.  Then, came my next Nutcracker item (placemats) to match.

pc: Hester & Cook

Finally, this very cool MC Moose was bought for me & hubby as a Christmas gift again by said kids. The Moose pillow which I bought for myself while on sale, matched this AND the Nutcracker pillow above.

pc: Neiman Marcus

pc: NM

pc: Horchow

MC Moose, Standing

Nutcracker Pillow

Hester & Cook Placemat

**

Christmas 2019: Nuts for Nutcrackers

Went  a little crazy for cute Nutcrackers this year.  It began when my children bought me a MacKenzie-Childs embroidered Nutcracker Brigade lumbar pillow for my birthday in October (it has since been sold-out at their web site).  I then bought Nutcracker disposable paper place mats by Hester & Cook for a dinner here at home. We attended my friends' party for her granddaughter which had Nutcracker as its theme. Party favors were Nutcracker cookies made by the ever-talented Ashley.  I purchased Nutcrackers at 50% off at Hobby Lobby, yay! 
I saw Nutcrackers everywhere! The only thing missing is for me to watch the Nutcracker Ballet by Tchaikovsky live and in color. It's been years.

my friend's collection on display

Nutcracker dolls, also known as Christmas nutcrackers, are decorative nutcracker figurines most commonly made to resemble a toy soldier... While nearly all nutcrackers from before the first half of the 20th century are functional, a significant proportion of modern nutcrackers are primarily decorative, and not able to crack nuts. - wikipedia

Other than the MC pillow, my  personal favorite is the black Nutcracker.  He is dressed as a kingly Magi.  His outfit is beautifully & vibrantly colored. He was the only one of his kind at the Hobby Lobby store. 

pc: Hester & Cook

pc: Facebook

In him was life; and the life 

was the light of men.

John 1:4

Nutcracker Brigade Pillow

Nutcracker Doll

***

LIST: Best Holiday Décor Store In Each State

Public Service post: 

A.  Early Holiday decorating does your soul and body good. Read about it H E R E. 

 B.  Where you live in the USA has that one store that tops the list as the best store for Holiday Decor shopping. 

'Tis always the season to be jolly if you ask me and a lot of year-round Christmas and holiday shops would certainly say the same. Because it's never too early to feel the magic of the season, especially if that means picking up the hottest home decor to deck your halls.

Of course, no matter where you live there's a different store that brings all the merriness and brightness, so compiling a list of the 50 best, one from each state, was a necessity. Yelp helped us do so by looking at the star rating and number of reviews for businesses mentioning "holiday decorating." The results are nothing short of magical and will certainly get you into the holiday spirit.  -- House Beautiful

1Alabama: Dixie Wreaths by Marypat

@DIXIEWREATHSBYMARYPATFACEBOOK

"I love my wreath made by Marypat...They are all handmade and shipped to me with care. They are very detailed and many of my friends loved the ones I had on my door. I will definitely order more in the future." - Judy S.

VISIT
107 Eden Lane
Huntsville, AL 35811
2 Alaska: Santa Claus House

YELP/ED L.

"It's your childhood dreams coming true! It's always Christmas in here. Lots of decor items and you can get a picture clicked with Santa all year round. Make sure to check out the reindeer!" - Anisha R.

VISIT

101 Saint Nicholas Drive

North Pole, AK 99705

3 Arizona: Feliz Navidad Sedona

@FELIZNAVIDADSEDONAINSTAGRAM

"Love me a year-round Christmas store. The store was so cute! I wandered around and saw ornaments, decorations, large Santas, and tons of unique Arizona style decor. Some things are pricey but they have items for any budget." - Phylicia K.

VISIT
336 State Rte 179, Suite A116
Sedona, AZ 86336

4 Arkansas: Handmade Holiday Shop

YELP/KATRINA H.

"This is a must find shop for all of your holiday shopping. There is something here for that person that is impossible to shop for. Locally made art and craft at its best! Jewelry, pottery, soap, leather, so much goodness!" - Adam M.

VISIT
239 Central Avenue
Hot Springs, AR 71901

5 California: Roger's Gardens

YELP/TAMI D.

"This was a wonderful way to start the holiday. With the most brilliant Christmas lights and decorations I'd ever seen in one place, Roger's Gardens was a delight for the senses." - Tami D.

VISIT

2301 San Joaquin Hills Road

Corona Del Mar, CA 92625

See entire list for all 50 US states H E R E

YELP/AJA M.

Best Holiday Décor Store In Every State

Decorating Early for Christmas is Good for You

**

Holiday Decor: Wrapping Your Artwork

Why People Are Wrapping Their Artwork In Christmas Paper  

-  TAYLOR MEAD, HOUSE BEAUTIFUL

When it comes to home decor, there is no one-size-fits-all. This is particularly true for holiday decorations, which get arguably more and more creative every year with new trends and ideas popping up every day.

The most recent festive trick I stumbled upon is courtesy of Caitlin Pappas, the woman behind the interior styling and photography company,  Nest Out West. For real truth in reporting, Caitlin says, this is really a trick she borrowed from her mom.

Read the rest of the article H E R E

My version (embellished):  

BEFORE

pc: Anthropologie

Almost Christmas!

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, 

which being interpreted is, God with us.

- Matthew 1:23

A Festive Gallery Wall

State by State Holiday Decorations

**