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From: Chrysantha
Date: 11-10-2003, 02:40 PM (1 of 17)
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#1. Do you put up a real tree or an artificial one ??? #2. Multi or one color lights ??? #3. Do you decorate inside and out ??? #4. What tops your tree ??? #5. Do you have a color scheme for your house/tree ??? I'll be puting up an artificial tree this year, last years real one was nice, but a pain to clean up after. Inside multi.... I always decorate the outside of my house...this year it's all clear lights, last year it was all multi. I have one of those glass globe type toppers, that looks like the rest of the balls on the Christmas tree... My color scheme is red, blue, green, and gold....I hate shiny balls so I always get the satin kind...no tinsel either (pets in the house). Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: MaryW
Date: 11-10-2003, 02:49 PM (2 of 17)
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We have never had an artificial tree in my house. I won't have one. We have 2 real ones. One small one in the dining room. About 6' tall. It is a kids tree. Covered in lights and unbreakable child themed ornaments. My husband and I are big kids at Christmas. He bought a train set with Santa and all his elves and Mrs. Claus. Each car on the train has an elf or well known Christmas character animated. The train track goes entirely around this tree and the whistle blows while Santa wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and music plays. We have multi-coloured lights on our big tree in the living room. With cathedral ceiling this tree is about 12' or so tall. I go crazy with the ornaments on this one. It takes 2 days for me to decorate it entirely. I have things the kids made me when they were small. On the top is an angel with a long white satin dress. In each hand she carries a candle (clear tiny light). Not much of a colour scheme. Just Christmasy. I have a lovely wall hanging that Joanne made us for Christmas and that hangs above our fireplace each year. We don't decorate too much outside, the snow and wind kind of get the best of it. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: mamahoogie
Date: 11-10-2003, 04:17 PM (3 of 17)
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Artificial now. We used to always have a real tree that the kids and I cut down ourselves but I became allergic to them so we had to switch to a very life-like artificial one. We have multi-coloured lights on the tree because that was hubby's choice. I had all white one year but he didn't care for it and I let him have some say. We decorate our front window with lighted fixtures that stick - snowflakes and angels. And we put artificial greenery down the stairs and wind loads of lights around it, topped off with large poinsettias. Very striking. Lights and greenary go above and down sides of a large mirror too. very festive. We don't do the outside. The sidewalk in front of our house is the direct path to a public school and we think the kids would destroy the lights, etc. We do the front window inside instead. An angel tops our tree. We have no 'theme" in our house or on the tree. Lots of handcrafted items from the kids when they were little, ornaments that I had as a child, my own recent handcrafted ornaments mixed with store bought. Mary, it takes me two days at least to do our tree too. We can't have those foil icicles either - my dtr is highly charged with electricity and they attack her as she gets near the tree - so I have made all new ones and they are so much nicer. I have beaded icicles now, some from small bugle beads (3 strands together) and some from old necklaces I have picked up from garage sales. I take them apart and restring them into icicles. Gorgeous!! Try it. When people see it for the first time they just stop and stare and say "wow, now that's a Christmas tree". I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: Magot
Date: 11-10-2003, 04:19 PM (4 of 17)
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#1. Do you put up a real tree or an artificial one ??? Artificial, real ones smell lovely but I'm still kneeling on the needles come June..that and the cat can't stop himself from climbing a real one. #2. Multi or one color lights ??? LOOOADS of teeny white lights, some round like berries and some standard fairy lights #3. Do you decorate inside and out ??? Inside only, the tree, the mantlepiece and cards around the room, more mess than that I cannot stand - and the bust of my Grandfather wears a paper hat, this summer he has been wearing a paper lei, he'll be in a bobble hat soon. He normally wears a cricket hat in summer. #4. What tops your tree ??? A star #5. Do you have a color scheme for your house/tree ??? Mostly silver and white, we have glitter balls and acrylic prismy type baubles - it is an ice maiden fantasy. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: Aimee S
Date: 11-10-2003, 05:52 PM (5 of 17)
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Artificial tree because we have a buck stove in the same room and the real ones get so dried out so quickly. Multi lights inside. Out side it looks like Chevy Chase's house in National Lampoons Christmas Vaction A bear tops our tree. A coca cola polar bear type. Well every other year. On the other it is a Star or an angel. Hubby is the Christmas person. I could do without Christmas. Same decorations every year. The one thing I do say about Christmas they have to be homemade decorations. The only store bought decorations is the village. Everyone has a village but it looks hand painted. Okay before some get thier feathers ruffled the reason I hate Christmas and my family calls me a Grinch is because to many people friends and family have lost sight of what Christmas really is. They want the high ticket items and Homemade from the heart gifts are tossed with the wrapping paper. People see the commercial side obsess with the commercial side. Christmas is about a child that had nothing and was given gifts with a purpose not a $$$ figure. Off my soap box. The more you disaprove, the more fun I am having!
http://photos.yahoo.com/aimeehs29 |
User: Aimee S
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 488 
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From: MaryW
Date: 11-10-2003, 06:13 PM (6 of 17)
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It's ok Aimee. I agree, the reason for the season is often lost. I really dislike Thanksgiving. Why? I used to have a huge meal for all my family, husband kids, Mom and my brothers and sisters and their spouses. Now, my Mom and all siblings except for two sisters are gone. Just not a good time for me. I could just stay by myself for that one day. But, it comes by every year, so we make the best of it. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: mamahoogie
Date: 11-10-2003, 06:36 PM (7 of 17)
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Aimee, I agree that some people have gone totally commercial about Christmas. I made sure it didn't happen in our family. We all draw names and it's a $25.00 Maximum gift. Everyone buys one stocking stuffer for each person, $5.00 limit (includes the adults). I also buy one small personal gift for each child and I make something for everyone, nothing big usually. It's a hoot seeing what people can find for $5....although, flea market, garage sale finds, etc. are ok with us too. We are not actually even having our Christmas til Jan 3 this year. That's the first day we could all be together so we all decided we would rather have a delayed Christmas rather not be all together (We are really spread out by about 9 hours drive!) Of course, Santa will come to the children at their own home and some of the spouses exchange gifts between themselves. I also get all my shopping done by Dec 1st usually so I just enjoy the month before Christmas. So, lay down some new rules, put fun and togetherness into Christmas and enjoy it. It is what you make it! 
I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: brendalou
Date: 11-10-2003, 07:02 PM (8 of 17)
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The first year we were married, it was a 2ft fake christmas tree the people we bought the house from left us... I put my Beanie Babies all over it for decorations. Then the BIL gave us their old 6ft fake tree; Angel on top, blue lights (my fav) don't do the outside, too much work. I don't like Christmas that much either anymore. I would just as soon get rid of all the commercialism also. In addition, the In-Laws are total pains, and make Christmas so much more stressful than it needs to be!!!! I HATE spending the holiday's over there, what a pain! ==Brenda Lou
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User: brendalou
Member since: 10-07-2002 Total posts: 2 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 11-10-2003, 08:01 PM (9 of 17)
Any of you who will have small children around on Christmas Day, here is what my family tradition is.. We have A Birthday Cake for Jesus.. Every child loves a birthday celebration, and that way they never lose sight of what Christmas is all about.. We read Luke 2 and then sing. usually Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and then light the candles on the cake and sing Happy Birthday..We use hand made decorations and gifts as much as possible.. everyone shares in the baking.. All these things lessen the commercial effects and lead to a more peaceful season...
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Magot
Date: 11-11-2003, 02:52 AM (10 of 17)
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We have a birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus too! ( still do even thought hey are all older) He must be tickled pink with all those birthday cakes going off around the world!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: VCMOM
Date: 11-11-2003, 12:57 PM (11 of 17)
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We have a 6ft real tree in the family rm and a 9ft fake tree in front of the living rm window. The family rm tree has multi color lights, the ornaments the kids made and and the cherished ornaments. The living room tree has white lights, bows, and fancy ornaments it is what my husband calls my fluff tree, looks like it could be in a magazine. We decorate both inside and out. I line the drive with poinsettia's have large bows on the column lamps, house lamps, wreaths and I wrap and tie bows on my poodle trees. We have a european style high roof with dormers and its is covered with icicle lights We have an special angel on the family rm tree and a filigree brass star on the fluff tree. The family room and kitchen are just Christmasy. The living room is done in burgundy, gold, a rich green and a magenta color. |
User: VCMOM
Member since: 10-31-2002 Total posts: 74 |
From: Marrigan
Date: 11-11-2003, 09:39 PM (12 of 17)
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We have 2 artificial trees, one large one that's very real looking in our family room and a norfolk style for the living room. (real trees give me a rash and a cough) The big tree is in our family room and has hundreds of white lights and those European glass ornaments ( the cheap variety, but very pretty) and all of the kids' things they've made. The other tree has all red lights (hubby loves colored lights) and victorian style ornaments. They both are topped with angels. IWhen we lived in a smaller house we had all Victorian ornaments, but as I lost family members, I got very sentimental about old Christmases and started getting the glass ornaments I remembered as a kid. We have those wire frame reindeer with lights in the front yard and light up the bushes along the front of the house. I really love Christmas time, first because of the most important reason we celebrate. The music of Christmas really moves me. Second, I have so many fond memories of Christmas past with my family and most of them are gone. I have a couple aunts, and uncle and a brother left. My only child husband never had those Christmases with a house full of family and loud laughter. It was a magic time. I hope we're making lovely memories for our kids, too. |
User: Marrigan
Member since: 01-27-2003 Total posts: 10 |
From: Magot
Date: 11-12-2003, 04:15 AM (13 of 17)
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My dad was an army cook, it was his job to buy and decorate the tree for the lads in the dining room. I never could work out why it was that they always delivered a tree to him that was 5ft too tall so he just HAD to cut the top off and bring it home or it wouldn't fit in the room..year after year this happened- I think I was too innocent to work it out. He remembers when he was young going into the New forest with his Dad and cutting a tree and bringing it home on a sledge. Now as my memory serves the forest was crown property then so obviously theft/pilfereing was something that ran in their family. It Does Not pass on to the next generation! love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: duelingneedles
Date: 11-12-2003, 05:23 AM (14 of 17)
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#1. Do you put up a real tree or an artificial one ??? i have a 4 ft artificial one from the first christmas i was at college -- my dad insisted that i have a tree in my college dorm and he had a blast buying all the decorations for MY tree and then helped me set it up -- after all these seasons its still in great shape and goes up every year the day after thanksgiving -- a few ornaments have broken over time but dad comes and occassionally sees that i need more -- i dont see how as i think there is an ornament for every branch lol #2. Multi or one color lights ??? 2 strands of multi lights for the little tree one blinking one non-blinking -- the white blinking lights to music for my window and another set of white minis for the piano #3. Do you decorate inside and out ??? i nside only as i have an apt at the moment -- but most of my decorations are handmade -- a letter holder goes up on the wall as well as xmas x stitch needlepoint and quilts get exchanged for regular pictures -- along with fake boughs on the piano -- also burn scented candles and potpourri for the xmas smells and put cotton balls hidden on the tree with evergreen smell so make me think its real #4. What tops your tree ??? a silver filagree star #5. Do you have a color scheme for your house/tree ??? no real color theme other than christmasy warm and inviting i love everything about christmas -- the music the colors and bustling the smells associated with it -- it is my favorite time of year -- i played organ in church for 5 years and this was one of my 2 favorite days (christmas eve and easter sunrise) as i cld turn on the outside speakers and use the chimes and "air" the music of the service for the whole town (pop 1500) also -- i believe too that christmas has gotten to commerical -- just waiting for the days like on Merry Christmas Charlie Brown when alumimun trees will be available -- i simply refuse to buy christmas presents -- christmas was meant for friends and family to gather and enjoy time spent making memories and enjoying past ones -- good eats, good company, and good times outweigh what any store bought gift can ever give -- keeping christmas in your heart is not a one day a year idea -- i try to keep it in mine thru the whole year (which is hard sometimes) -- of all the gifts you can give anyone i think TIME is the greatest treasure of all all my gifts are hand made -- and i dont make that many -- this year i have 16 and maybe 19 since dad is getting married the day after thanksgiving and his fiancee has 3 grandkids whom i have never met (it could be 21 if i have to include her mom and her aunt who constantly "hang out" at their home) i used to have a longer list and made for everyone -- but slowly over the years if the receipient looked in disgust at a homemade gift they were taken off my list -- all my gifts were nice but practical and i usually do mass making and decide what i will make for that year this year is linen tablerunners for the adults (using weavers cloth to save expense) and backpacks and tv fleece blankets for the kids -- and my bf is getting a quilted wall hanging -- and i m still working out sizing for my annual christmas ornament to go inside my christmas card -- i want a 4" friendship star -- i am having trouble calculating soooo (and new to quilting) if anyone can help i sure would appreciate it greatly! off my soapbox now -- stitchin' up a storm
"T" |
User: duelingneedles
Member since: 11-09-2003 Total posts: 11 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 11-12-2003, 10:13 AM (15 of 17)
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Here's a pattern for a 3" friendship star if that is of any help. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: duelingneedles
Date: 11-15-2003, 02:34 AM (16 of 17)
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Plrlegal - thank you so much for posting that -- it is very much appreciated -- you have been most helpful  now anyone want to come and help me stitch them up? lol just kidding -- then they wouldnt be from me but i do have a question -- being they will be ornaments ... would you put some thin batting in them or forego the batting all together and just stitch in the ditch ?? stitchin' up a storm
"T" |
User: duelingneedles
Member since: 11-09-2003 Total posts: 11
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From: Ann Made
Date: 11-15-2003, 06:03 PM (17 of 17)
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#1. Do you put up a real tree or an artificial one ??? We put up a artifical one that looks kind of real. We have so few Christmas trees around here that we don't cut one down and DH hates cultured trees. #2. Multi or one color lights ??? We use multi coloured lights. I have a string of John Deere tractor lights and red chili pepper lights. This year I will add yellow chili pepper lights. Plus my usual lights. One year I had a second tree up (4ft tall) in a small alcove in our living room and put small red apple ornaments on it. #3. Do you decorate inside and out ??? I decorate the living and eating area in angels and Father Christmas with a few poinsettas thrown in. I use to put out our 50 year old nativity but am scared the cats will break it. I like to keep it simple but homey. I have 2 center pieces I made on an antique sideboard and table. We do not decorate the outside as only my husband is home during the week and we don't have time on weekends. We have enough clear lights to do the front of the house but lack the time. Maybe one day down the road. #4. What tops your tree ??? A very old hand blown topper that has a ball and pointy thing on the top. #5. Do you have a color scheme for your house/tree ??? The tree ornaments are a variety of items collected from years when our children were home. Some ornaments are very old, others gifts from school children, others from friends and family. The inside of the house is done in blue, burgandy, gold and creamy white. Many items are handmade. One day I want to change it a bit to include some cowboy items. I enjoy Christmas but had some time getting back into the swing of things after my dad died. He loved being Santa and hand out the gifts. We didn't give lots of expensive gifts and being together as a family was very important. I have only had one bad Christmas since mom was admitted to a nursing home and that was the Christmas I couldn't bring her home. Now I do Boxing Day with her. It is better for me. When our children are not home for Christmas, we spend time on the phone with them on Christmas day. That is the best present we could ever have. Ann
Learning is a journey, not a race.
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User: Ann Made
Member since: 04-07-2001 Total posts: 67 
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