I have received so many wonderful gifts throughout the years. I cannot remember where all of them came from or thank everyone for everything I have received over the years. Sometimes I forget who gave me what. And I know that they forget, too. But this year I have decided to tell people that I love their gift and it brings me much joy. I started with my red wreath.
It is made of metal bells. I love it. It is such a great addition to our Christmas decorations. As I was hanging it I snapped a picture and sent a text to the person that gave it to me. She didn’t remember giving it to me – we all do that, right? But I do. I remember and it makes me happy. I LOVE that wreath. It goes up every year and it has a special spot.
Another thing is a gift I inherited. I remember when my mom received it and I loved it then, and I love displaying it now. It is a row of family bears. listing all of my family’s names. Only three in that row are still around.
Another thing is my tree skirt. John’s mom made me a beautiful tree skirt. I had always dreamed of having a tree skirt to put around my tree and I finally had one. Every year I was so excited to put it around the tree. One year she was over and she said, “But, that doesn’t fit.” Because it only went around about 1/4 of the area below the tree. And I replied that I didn’t care, it was awesome. But she remedied that by making me a HUGE tree skirt. And I love it. Half of the reason I bug my husband so much about putting up the tree is so I can place that beautiful skirt around it. It always fits!
And my table cloths. John’s mom made them all. One I am able to put on our table in our breakfast room. That is a signal to me that decorating as begun. Putting a festive table cloth on a table is a great (and quick) way to decorate. Another one I usually put on a small folding table we put up so that I can put more Christmas decorations out . . . but that table wouldn’t fit this year with my “studio” curtains. It was in the way . . . BUT . . . I am using it to cover the rolling cabinet I have the monitor and laptop on. And the napkin that matches is being used to cover the monitor. And then, since I couldn’t put up the table I decided to use two TV trays in its place (I had to have something, I have a lot of decorations!) and that enabled me to use a table cloth that I have not used for years. When we first moved in we had a round table in the dining room and John’s mom made me the most beautiful round table cloth. It was the PERFECT size. It is green with slightly shimmering Christmas trees on it with heavy bright gold trim around it. I love it and get sad when I don’t have anything to put it on so I was excited this year when I could use it. She also made me a table cloth for our coffee table that has cats on it, but I rotate years that I use that and I didn’t use it this year.
There is also my light jar I received. It was years ago when light jars first came out. I had wanted one and was so excited to have received it.
Wow! I probably could go on and on, but I will stop there. I just really love decorating for Christmas and I look forward to using these treasures every year.
I think if any year is the year to reach out to people and let them know that they gifted you something you treasure NOW is that year. What do you think? What about you? Do you have anything you received as a gift that you treasure and use every year?
Terre Pruitt's Blog 