Inside the Christmas boxes

Christmas Boxes...what's inside?

  This has become a personal Christmas tradition , the Christmas Boxes. Since little-girlhood I have been enamored of the yearly ritual of gingerly sorting through the Christmas memories  contained in these boxes in the form of little glass baubles and tinseled tree treats and all manner of delights to the season's senses.

It has been a hectic year for us, 30 art events! Now, I plan to sit upon the thin tapestry rug, with a cup of  Orange Spice tea, a nice blaze going in the stove and unwind with my little ritual.  I open my first box,

a tin box with a Dresden Dove on top contains....

 delicate glass vintage birds.

 

 These have been collected from hither and yon for years. Who knows how many small fingers have held these delicate birds, and handed them up to mama to place upon the highest branches.

This one was on our tree when I was 6 years old....

That makes it a very old bird,,, sorta like me, a vintage bird!

 Birds in early winter.... in the house..perching in a tree.. I like that.


What, pray tell, little treasures dwell, in this box?

Homemade paperdolls.
  We made these  Victorian style ornaments  years ago. Using old batting, crepe paper, vintage style faces, bits and bobs.... it was fun! You should make some with your children or your little grandbuns.

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 Her dress is of pink crepe paper, antique lace and ribbons.

An old father Christmas face,dyed cotton batting and antique tinsel.

You can easily find Antique faces and forms online.

These paper ladies are dressed in checkered tissue paper, crepe paper and crinoline fabric.

She is my favorite.  Old tatting on skirt bottom, fabric and ribbon roses came from a shredded 1940's nightgown, and her little golden wings have  fluffy bird feathers as well. I think she has my little girl face from long ago, although I cannot prove it to you.

 A bit simpler form here, this lady has an ethereal look, even her hair seems to be blowing in the breeze. Her wings are made of Dresden paper doilies.

Here, a beautiful Lady Liberty of paper stars, a tissue paper dress and a bit of golden glitz. Are you inspired to make some of these? Please do!
 
Boxes within Boxes.

And what is in this dear little tin box??

Ooooh! Tree candles,

to go with the weighted candle holders,

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  What would Christmas be without little Stars of Bethlehem to shine from the evergreen boughs?

"Oh Holy night, the stars are Brightly Shining"

 Glimmer, glitter, little star..

I don't think I should use these, 1920!!!!! They shout "FIRE!"

But the box is cute.

More vintage glass.

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  and yet more. 

  I think I have enough STUFF now, to fill this tree.

 Now, the Lord of the Manor does NOT do trees.... this is a job for the official tree dresser, moi.

  So, I will be back here in a few hours..... bye for now. This could be a three pot o tea job.

 Put on the Pot

 I love visiting other blogs at this season to see how differently everyone decorates. Some dress their homes in elegant, icy whites and angel wings. Silver Trees hung with  glistening icicles and lace. Others are Early American Primitive, with stuffed clove oranges, strung popcorn and cranberries on a cedar tree sitting on a braided rug.  You can almost smell the woodsmoke! I love them all!  The imagination  and  individuality that goes into folk's decorating is a joy to behold!

I can't wait to see what you all are doing.

"Now is the season of the holly and the mistletoe;

the days are come to which we hang our rooms with the sober green of December and feel it summer in our hearts."

 Saturday Evening Post

December 1866 

 

.This tree looked a lot bigger in the woods...

But not this fancy!

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After Christmas, when all my treasures go back into the boxes, my barn ladies will get a special treat. They will get to devour this tree! NOTHING goes to waste here in Hopalong Hollow.

 Finished! Time to sit and enjoy. 

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 "May this impart, with all my heart,

A Happy Christmastide!"