Monday, December 04, 2006
Getting into the spirit of Christmas
I don't know about you all, but I had a busy weekend! My most favorite part was getting into the spirit of Christmas by setting out my decorations and putting up our Christmas tree.
Oronzo and I invited two of our neighbors over to help us put ornaments on the tree. I just love unwrapping each ornament and reliving the memories surrounding each one. Oronzo and I both have many ornaments from our childhood and we're starting a new collection for Snuggle Bug.
We took a break and had hot chocolate with whipped cream and brownies warm from the oven. Fun! Fun!
After the neighbors left and Snuggle Bug went down for his afternoon nap, I took the opportunity to set up my Fontanini nativity set. I started this collection shortly after graduating from college and I love each piece. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you'll notice that Baby Jesus is not in the manger. As a Catholic, it was our tradition not to place Baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas morning. I just love that anticipation.
For the first time ever, I now have a fireplace mantel to display my nativity set on. It's a humble mantel but I think it's perfect! My Grandma G. had a nativity set that she set out each year, on her buffet, and I remember how I used to love to climb on a stool and peer over the top of the buffet to see all the figurines. Grandma G. used fluffy snow-like material to set the manger on, and she'd put some on top of the manger as well. She also strung white lights throughout the scene. I need to go get white lights and snow fluff to complete my arrangement, don't you think?
Yesterday, we attended a dear friend's baby shower. They're due in February with their first child. I'm so happy and excited for them! It's hard to believe that nearly 2 years ago they attended our baby shower for Snuggle Bug, and I was tickled to be able to return the favor! :)
This coming weekend, we're throwing a little party to celebrate Snuggle Bug's upcoming 2nd birthday! We've decided to go with a train themed party. It should be fun!
Well, that's all for now. So tell me, what did you do this weekend? I hope you've been getting into the Christmas spirit too!
Oronzo and I invited two of our neighbors over to help us put ornaments on the tree. I just love unwrapping each ornament and reliving the memories surrounding each one. Oronzo and I both have many ornaments from our childhood and we're starting a new collection for Snuggle Bug.
We took a break and had hot chocolate with whipped cream and brownies warm from the oven. Fun! Fun!
After the neighbors left and Snuggle Bug went down for his afternoon nap, I took the opportunity to set up my Fontanini nativity set. I started this collection shortly after graduating from college and I love each piece. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you'll notice that Baby Jesus is not in the manger. As a Catholic, it was our tradition not to place Baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas morning. I just love that anticipation.For the first time ever, I now have a fireplace mantel to display my nativity set on. It's a humble mantel but I think it's perfect! My Grandma G. had a nativity set that she set out each year, on her buffet, and I remember how I used to love to climb on a stool and peer over the top of the buffet to see all the figurines. Grandma G. used fluffy snow-like material to set the manger on, and she'd put some on top of the manger as well. She also strung white lights throughout the scene. I need to go get white lights and snow fluff to complete my arrangement, don't you think?
Yesterday, we attended a dear friend's baby shower. They're due in February with their first child. I'm so happy and excited for them! It's hard to believe that nearly 2 years ago they attended our baby shower for Snuggle Bug, and I was tickled to be able to return the favor! :)
This coming weekend, we're throwing a little party to celebrate Snuggle Bug's upcoming 2nd birthday! We've decided to go with a train themed party. It should be fun!
Well, that's all for now. So tell me, what did you do this weekend? I hope you've been getting into the Christmas spirit too!
17 Comments:
It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend getting ready for Christmas. I just LOVE this time of year!! =) I didn't get much Christmas stuff done, but I did throw a baby shower for a friend due in about 16 days. Fun stuff!!
I went to a Christmas parade that my friend and her children were in this Saturday - it was cold but fun!
Thanks for sharing your nativity with us. I have been collecting a few that I think are neat. I'll have to post a picture of mine. : )
I have a Fontanini Nativity as well. It looks like I have several more pieces than it seems you have collected. I chose this brand because it reminds me of the nativity my parents have and I used to love setting it up and I also like the fact that baby Jesus is removable so we can wait until Christmas Day to put him in place. But I haven't gotten any of my Christmas stuff out nor the greens I need for my advent wreath although I did remember to get candles at Family Christian Stores before they ran out- last year I didn't get any. I too love this season and the Advent preparations for Christmas.
Thank you also for your comment on my blog the other day :)
What a pretty nativity set! One of these years I'm going to get the Willow Tree nativity set...but for now I'll just stick with the 2 I already have :)
We finally got into the spirt this weekend buy getting our stuff (mostly!) up too- tonight we'll finally get the ornaments on the tree!
Sounds like a fun weekend. We're not going to put on a tree this year. We plan to go out of town for Christmas, and I'm feeling a bit bah humbug right now. I spent the weekend scanning hundreds of old family photos. I'm making cds for my family.
I was raised Catholic, also. I remember when I was a child getting it all confused and thinking Santa brought baby Jesus with him. :o) I bought my nativity set years ago when the World's Fair was in New Orleans. I bought it at the Israeli exhibit. The wood is handcarved and from Jerusalem. It's a bit rustic, but I love it.
We decorated our tree this weekend too. I haven't put out my nativity set yet though. This is my favorite time of year as long as I can dodge the crowds.:)
Thanks for your comment on my blog the other day.
The kids had fun climbing the tree.
It sounds like you had a nice weekend. Wish Snuggle Bug a Happy Birthday from Shaylee and I.
We took Shaylee to a Santa parade this weekend. We also went to the tree farm and picked out our Christmas tree. And did a little shopping.
Sounds like you're having fun starting off the season. We went to 2 parades this weekend and decorated our Christmas tree as well. I posted a couple pics from the parade, and maybe I'll post some pictures of the tree tomorrow. Is Snuggle Bug enjoying everything?
What a beautiful nativity set. I like the one I have, but I'm with Michelle, I want the Willow Tree one too.
What a wonderful nativity. I like the tradition of not putting Baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas morning- it just seems fitting. We had hoped to get the tree up this weekend but Mr. Nasty Cold had a different plan and knocked three of the four of us out. Maybe this weekend.
I so adore that nativity set! My Grandma had made one just like it and promises me it is mine when the time comes. We too do not place Baby Jesus out until Christmas but after midnight Mass!
Christmas with your own children is so magical eh?
I love your nativity and I like the idea of not placing Jesus until Christmas.
Wow, Snuggle Bug is going to be two. What fun times you have ahead. To me, it seems it gets so much easier physically when our little ones hit 2 1/2. Hope it's the same for you:)
What did I do this weekend? :) Hop over to my place and check it out (if you haven't already) - busy weekend
Friends of ours have that same kind of nativity set. It's great!! :)
Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend :) Love the nativity, it's so adorable :)
Hope you're having a great week....I've been so busy I haven't had time to visit any of my favorite blogs so I'm trying to catch up today :)
Hugs,
Sandra
We put our nativity up too. Ours is on the top of our entertainment center as we have no mantle.
Snuggle Bug's about to turn 2! How fun!
We put our nativity up too. Ours is on the top of our entertainment center as we have no mantle.
Snuggle Bug's about to turn 2! How fun!
I am also entering the Christmas spirit. Our Christmas tree is already decorated. Usually we put some real small chocolates hanging on the tree but we still didn't buy them and I guess they won't be there for too long!
what a lovely nativity looks wonderful up on your mantle
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