Welcome to my Christmas Extravaganza.
I had the idea to share my Christmas wish list, my favorite Christmas movies, my favorite Christmas songs, my favorite gifts I have received, and my Christmas decor both in my office and at home in separate posts but wouldn't it be fun to have all those things in one place? Yes? No? You don't care what I am saying, you just want to see photos. I got you! Let's start the Christmas festivities, shall we?
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My Christmas Wish List
Gift cards to Starbucks and Chik Fil A
Doodle a Day calendar
Cash to put towards my savings.
Cricut Joy *
Simple and easy. I usually buy myself (Treat yo' self!) things I want; not because I am impatient but I feel like I did it for myself and I can.
* I have been going back and forth on this one. I don't know if it will be worth it for me or if I will be able to use it enough to justify it. I signed up for a beginner Cricut class at the library to see if I like it before buying it.
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Christmas Music
I have shared my Christmas playlists previously but to keep in the spirit, I will link them below:
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Favorite Christmas Gifts Received
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The one that comes to mind first is Rumple Bear in 1995. Yup, the Fischer Price floppy adorable teddy bear. I was beyond excited to receive him and who knew he would still be in my life today, almost 30 years later. While he has had many eye surgeries (sharpie markers), a re-stuffing procedure (his stuffing disintergated over the years) and lots of stitches (random rips and tears) he still is the same bear I got all those years ago. His pink companion in the photo above was Big Thing. His body came stuffed in this teeny tiny box and all that was sticking out was his head. It was quite the surprise when we undid the box and out popped all the pink!
In the background of the photo below, you can also see other gifts I received that year- 13 Dead End Drive, the game that took longer to set up than actually play; a sticker maker; a mysize barbie (she was not my size) and a robot toy- Captica or something of the like.
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Another gift I received was a drum set in 1990. You can see that in the back ground of this photo. No idea why I asked for one, perhaps because I was obsessed with Jem and one of the girls in her band played the drums? Who knows but I do remember it was in the cellar and I had to go on a little scavenger hunt to find it.
Also this photo holds some treasures- Barbie Make Up Kit on the rocking chair; Crocodile Dentist; Grabbing Grasshoppers board game; and my personal favorite, my Mickey Mouse Blanket.
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In 1991, I was obsessed with Teddy Ruxpin and a doctor kit. OBSESSED. The local video store had Santa come and the store recorded your interaction with Santa to take home and keep forever. The VHS tape captured me telling Santa in a very matter of fact way, I want Teddy Ruxpin and a Doctor Kit for Christmas. As you can see above, I was so excited to receive both of those things that year.
As I have grown up, some gifts have become more meaningful. 2011 my parents gave me these Skelton keys that they sprayed gold and tied with the ribbons. These keys were to represent my future and eventually owning a house. I have these keys in a shadow box hanging on my wall to look at each and every day.
I have probably received other really special and meaningful gifts over the years but these are the ones that stick out in my mind, when it comes to Christmas.
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Christmas Movies
Everyone LOVES Christmas movies, right?! They are light and fun and 90% of the time a happy ending. Back in 2020, I spent A LOT of time watching all the Christmas movies I could get my hands on. You can find those lists and reviews here and here.
This year, I didn't watch a lot of Christmas movies...sad I know....But I did watch a few. A few new ones and a few old favorites.
The new to me Christmas movies for this year were:
Die Hard
Arthur Christmas
Falling For Christmas
The Old Favorites were :
Elf
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
A Christmas Story
Noelle
I'll Be Home for Christmas
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Christmas Decor
This year I was feeling really sentimental and pulling out our Christmas decorations made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Let's start my favorite home Christmas decorations.
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| This is a windup music box where the little bear spins around the ice skating rink I have loved this since my Mom and Grandma bought it for me at the General Store. |
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| Our Lenox Nativity. This is just part of it. We have almost if not every piece to the Lenox China Jewels set. Grandma started this for my Mom back in the 90s. It's extra special. |
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| This silly statue makes me giggle every time I see it. Not sure of the origin of it but its a staple here. |
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| One shelf below the above statute is the Tumbling Santas.... or perhaps drunk Santa's judging from the last Santa's face. Another Christmas staple here. |
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| This Santa winds up and his head wobbles around. I've had this since I was a kid and its one of my favorites. |
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| Daddy bought Mommy this in 1979 at the Candle Factory in Beachwood. We LOVE this adorable candle. |
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| Grandma Spano bought these snow people for my mom in 1982. |
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| Mommy painted this for me in 1988. |
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| Mrs. Etzel, my math tutor, bought this for me many years ago. |
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| Penelope the Elf stops by each year. |
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| This is a Ukrainian spider web from Grandma. |
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| I painted this last year. |
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| We have two of these vintage poofs. |
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| My parents first year married. |
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| My little Eskimo that I got when I was a kid. |
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| My parents in 1980. Love this photo. |
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| Another painted ornament |
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| Mr. Snowman We got after Christmas at Rag Shop back in the early 2000's |
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| Christmas Reindeer |
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| Loved the idea of this garland from Hobby Lobby. Keeping it from not falling down, was a challenge. |
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| I keep this sign out all year round as a reminder |
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| This little guy will stay out all winter |
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| My plants got into the festivities too! The Santa is a music box from my childhood. |
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| The large Christmas trees are from the Dollar Tree and the smaller trees are from our Archives. The photo is actually a card box that I saved from a set of cards from years ago. |
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| The kissing Mr. and Mrs. Claus, the mini trees and the rocking horse are all from our Archives |
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| The ornament is a melted snowman I received years ago. It's one of my favorite. |
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| My basket of snowballs makes me so happy |
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| These Christmas bears were found in our archives. Penelope was upset I didn't make her a Santa hat. |
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| My basket of candy canes and the most adorable reindeer Christmas card |
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| Another item from the Spano family archives that made my office more festive |
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| The car reminds me of the car from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and the little trinkets are from the archives. |
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| Lastly, my mini Christmas tree on my desk and the little trinkets make me SO happy each day when I see them. |
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