Tucked away in boxes, swathed in bubble wrap and tissue paper, are treetop ornaments, pinecone wreaths and sleigh bells — objects unwrapped just once a year that convey that Christmas has arrived. In some families, a favorite Santa mug or Christmas tree skirt evokes the magic of the season; at my house, it’s the “red, lumpy thing.” At least, that’s what my eldest daughter called it the year we had to decorate the tree before she got home. “Don’t hang the red, lumpy thing until I get there,” she pleaded. Baffled, we sorted through the ornaments and determined that a scarlet-colored felt ball, haphazardly dotted with sequins and embroidery, somehow said “Christmas” to Maggie. Each year since then, the hanging of the red lumpy thing is our cue to let the festivities begin.
Helping to shape these kinds of holiday memories is the inspiration behind numerous Etsy shops. “I love creating heirlooms that are a part of other families’ Christmas traditions,” says Barb Wenninger, who offers hand knit stockings in her shop, Warmed by the Hearth. “Everyone who has bought a stocking tells me who it will belong to and where it will hang. It’s humbling to be a part of their holiday celebrations.”
While a love of knitting and the holidays inspires Wenninger, Alyssa Marsh of Vintage Modern Mix appreciates the design possibilities inherent in Christmas. “There are so many different color palettes and styles to work with,” she says. Her Advent calendars are composed of small boxes, each perfect for holding a tiny treasure. “The holidays are such a happy time, so it’s exciting to think that my calendar is being used every day leading up to Christmas.”
Though Advent calendars date from the mid-1800s, Anne Schneider of Good Wishes Quilts says the calendars she stitches have sparked new family rituals. “An Australian customer told me she was putting the address of a person in each pocket of the calendar and every day her family would write that person a letter of thanks or encouragement,” says Anne. “Such a simple and beautiful way to spread the warmth of Christmas, one day at a time.”
Another item in Anne’s shop — The Magic Santa Key — enables Father Christmas’s traditional visit to homes that lack chimneys. “Kids are logical these days. If they live in a apartment or condo, they ask, ‘How will Santa get in?’” she says. Anne attaches a key (“fashioned in Santa’s workshop by elves”) to a pair of elf stockings. “Just hang the key on your doorknob on Christmas Eve. You can try the key and your children can too, but it will only work for Santa, only at your home, and only on Christmas.”
While Americans think of Santa as a kindly gent, Robbie Kombinat of Retro Kombinat says in Germany Santa is sometimes accompanied by Krampus, a demon-like figure who stuffs naughty children in a sack. Kombinat, a Louisiana native who lives in Berlin, takes special pleasure in mingling holiday traditions through the vintage goods he sells. “I love that they go to people who perhaps celebrate Christmas differently,” he says. “Yesterday I sent a box off to Hawaii and I’m glad that something that caught my eye in a market in Dresden, Germany, can make its way around the world, bringing the charm of the Saxon Christmas tradition with it.”
Traditions vary geographically and they’ve also altered through time. “My desire is to create designs that reflect a simpler time in history, when women eked out beauty for their homes from basic thread and fabric,” says Cherie Wheeler of Cherie Wheeler Designs. She made her first cross-stitched ornaments to hand down to her children and finds that Christmas is a reminder to slow down and reflect on what’s important in life — for her, it’s faith, family and friends. “I feel honored when my customers write and tell me they made a purchase as a special gift, and that my little designs become a part of another person’s holiday tradition. My goal is to create unique items, little treasures to be tucked away reluctantly when the holiday is over.”
This time of year it’s easy to get excited about creating and collecting Christmas items, but how do Etsy shop owners keep the holiday spirit alive and the inspiration flowing in the heat of summer? Robbie Kombinat keeps searching for holiday items in Berlin’s plentiful flea markets year round. Anne Schneider says the stories her customers share keep her in the Chrismas spirit. And Cherie Wheeler says simply, “I remember the words from Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. ‘I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.’”
3 Featured Comments
fancy4u from BrushAndFeather said 7 years ago Featured
i also have some very old decorations from when i was a child, i remember getting them out every year and putting them on our real Christmas tree. Now, I only have 2 left and they are the most carefully wrapped Christmas ornaments in their very own boxes and are kept safe all year until it's time to see them again at Christmas time on our traditional tree. To me, they are the most beautiful or all our decorations.
Karen Brown from blainedesign said 7 years ago Featured
One of the most poignant moments in my life was the first Christmas after my mother passed away. I inherited all our family's Christmas ornaments, and there was one in particular –– the most delicate, fragile, handblown thing imaginable, that my mother had given to my father before I was born. I was touched by knowing that both my parents were gone, but this tiny, perfect, supremely fragile object had survived them both. I suppose that kind of experience is the foundation of traditions, and the real meaning of "stuff" in our lives. Even in this overly material world, there is *precious stuff* that is life-affirming and charged with meaning. Thanks to all the craftspeople who make these precious objects, and thank you, Linzee, for another wonderful piece.
Linzee from lkmccray said 7 years ago Featured
I'm thoroughly enjoying these stories of treasured holiday items and experiences. I have yet to do any holiday decorating, but your reminiscences are inspiring me to dig out the Christmas boxes (along with the red, lumpy thing) and deck the halls.
160 comments
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 7 years ago
Wonderful holiday finds! We have one of those Santa keys as we don't have a fireplace. The kids love it!
Barbara Gable from CrazyLovely said 7 years ago
beautiful gift ideas! I especially love that advent calendar!
Patrick from EdelweissPost said 7 years ago
'Christmas ... is not an eternal event at all, but a piece of one's home that one carries in one's heart.' ~ Freya Stark
Mary from MarySanzJewelry said 7 years ago
Beautiful gifts ideas, I love House omament and Advent calendar!
LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 7 years ago
Wonderful ideas!
Jess Greenleaf from GREENLEAFblueberry said 7 years ago
I love the idea of a hand-knit stocking! (For the last few years we've used our hiking socks!)
Trevor Pratt from FrogInThePlane said 7 years ago
Thanks for sharing these Christmas stories
nlbgrammy from Qt2t said 7 years ago
I love the magic Santa key!!! Nice collection of Christmas memories:)
Heather Buchanan from HeatherBuchanan said 7 years ago
My boyfriend is coming home for our first Christmas together, after three months of living in different cities. I can't wait to surprise him with a pair of matching handmade stockings and a plethora of other crafty-goodness to make the season saccharine and sentimental.
Gossamer Tearoom from TheGossamerTearoom said 7 years ago
I just love the story about the "red, lumpy thing"!!! Everyone has their own idea of what it takes to make the holiday complete. For me, the chats that my husband and I have in the half-light of the livingroom with only the lights in the windows on make this time special for me.
Matejka Max from NattyMatty said 7 years ago
Cuties!!!
Kathryn Warren from HailTiger said 7 years ago
those German incense smokers are awesome!
Elizabeth from ABreathOfFrenchAir said 7 years ago
Stunning gifts! Thanks for sharing!
Rita from OnceLostBoutique said 7 years ago
What a beautiful collection! Love vintage toys !!! Thank you for this blog post !
Ann Cosgrove from acbcDesign said 7 years ago
Fun post - great to hear about different holiday traditions!
Anne Schneider from GoodWishesQuilts said 7 years ago
What a wonderful piece Linzee ~ such a beautiful mix of handmade goodies from around the world, with stories from the artisans themselves. I feel like a world of Christmas is laid out before me. Love, love, love.
Amanda Hoffman from AJHStudio said 7 years ago
Awesome finds! All so cute and fun!
SW from HomeDecorLab said 7 years ago
Lovely finds!
kissadesign from kissadesign said 7 years ago
Wonderful post! My entire shop grew out of a Christmastime family tradition. I can't wait to see this personal and heartfelt craft take root in our next generation...
Erika Kelly from PortlandApronCompany said 7 years ago
This is a great post! Such a beautiful reminder of what Christmas is really about. Love, appreciation, and quality time with others. I especially love what the Australians did with the letters year round. So thoughtful :-)
Laura Boyea from LauraBoyea said 7 years ago
Great finds! Thanks for sharing the holiday cheer.
Natalie Jacob from EtymologyJewelry said 7 years ago
#etsyoneofakindgifts - Let's make this a trend!!
Erin O'Rourke from Aruguletta said 7 years ago
We had one of those incense smoking dolls in my house growing up. My favorite decorations were the ones with some movement: a wind-up angel that twirled and played music, or the candle-powered carousel with tiny wooden figures inside.
Helen Harwood from FatBerry said 7 years ago
Wonerful finds. Thank you for the small boxes calendars and warm memories of childhood.
Carter Seibels Singh from WomanShopsWorld said 7 years ago
Really sweet and festive holiday finds. Thanks for sharing!
Angela Cotton from CottonBirdDesigns said 7 years ago
Great finds!
Keith And Olga from FishOutStore said 7 years ago
Splendid idea!
Grete from thegretest said 7 years ago
I love the magic santa key!!
IKA PARIS from ikabags said 7 years ago
Really sweet and festive holiday finds. Love to read :) Thanks for sharing!
Aristocrafts from Aristocrafts said 7 years ago
This post is so Christmasy! I always say that when something warms my heart, or transmits the purity of a childhood memory that it's "Christmasy". I just love Christmas and all the good it inspires!
messinabella from BandBEstate said 7 years ago
Great post!
Susan Pauley from SPAULEY said 7 years ago
A great article and some nice finds. Here's to the holidays!
Caroline and Brandon Matey from TheMissingTagVintage said 7 years ago
Great article and amazing finds!
Jaclyn Doremus from TheLandofCraft said 7 years ago
Oh what fun! Great finds! Thank you!
seasidecloth from seasidecloth said 7 years ago
cute ideas !
JoDene Moneuse from JoDeneMoneuseJewelry said 7 years ago
I'm loving your selections......
Penny Birch-Williams from PennyBirchWilliams said 7 years ago
I have several old decorations from my childhood that mean Christmas tradition in my family...a lumpy old Santa that came in my stocking one year is my favorite. I also treasure the decorations my kids made over the years of growing up. I started to make decorations and ornaments in my teens and have been ever since. I'm happy to be making them for etsy shoppers now as well as friends and family. Nice blog post, enjoyed it!
fancy4u from BrushAndFeather said 7 years ago Featured
i also have some very old decorations from when i was a child, i remember getting them out every year and putting them on our real Christmas tree. Now, I only have 2 left and they are the most carefully wrapped Christmas ornaments in their very own boxes and are kept safe all year until it's time to see them again at Christmas time on our traditional tree. To me, they are the most beautiful or all our decorations.
NicoAndMooMoo from NicoAndMooMoo said 7 years ago
thanks to articles like this one I'm finally getting into the spirit of the season! ^.^
Aga from AgasJourney said 7 years ago
lovely and packed with christmas spirit selection.
Karen Brown from blainedesign said 7 years ago Featured
One of the most poignant moments in my life was the first Christmas after my mother passed away. I inherited all our family's Christmas ornaments, and there was one in particular –– the most delicate, fragile, handblown thing imaginable, that my mother had given to my father before I was born. I was touched by knowing that both my parents were gone, but this tiny, perfect, supremely fragile object had survived them both. I suppose that kind of experience is the foundation of traditions, and the real meaning of "stuff" in our lives. Even in this overly material world, there is *precious stuff* that is life-affirming and charged with meaning. Thanks to all the craftspeople who make these precious objects, and thank you, Linzee, for another wonderful piece.
Amanda Gynther from CafePrimrose said 7 years ago
You missed Finland's yule Pukki. I hear tell it eats children..... For more about that legend Rare Exports is a good one. :) Scandinavians have all kinds of great christmas traditions. And yes, Germany's Krampus is fun too. They lso have that in Austria, where I spent 4 years..... I spend far too much time traveling the world learning about cultures in different places..... But hey, what else is there worth doing o this was a fun post. Thanx Etsy.
Emily from shoproseandmint said 7 years ago
Homemade decorations are my favorite! I make something new for our home every year, and I love pulling out special pieces and ornaments from years past. There's something about handmade that just cannot be imitated. You can't mass produce heart and soul.
Trisha from ScissorwizardDesigns said 7 years ago
Beautiful holiday finds. Loved reading about each of them. ♥
Deb Vasbinder from BabyCuteBaby said 7 years ago
Great Picks Thanks for sharing
Cheryl Kucharzak from cherylKNITS said 7 years ago
Christmas is such a special time of year. I am honored to be part of a family's tradition-in-the-making with my personalized hand knit stockings.
Martha Layton Smith from opendoorstudio said 7 years ago
Somewhere deep in my attic... i have an old box of smokers! i have been meaning to pull them out this year! thanks for the post as a reminder! love these finds!
Carol Chidlow from ZOEZLOFT said 7 years ago
I love the handmade aspect of Christmas. A little ornament I make and sell in my shop brings smiles to the faces of the recipients. I always love to hear what customers are doing with them.
Munchkin Shop from themunchkinshop said 7 years ago
love the socks!
Laura Prill from lauraprill said 7 years ago
totally delightful:)
Fields Of Vintage from FieldsOfVintage said 7 years ago
I love Christmas, Peace on Earth.
Natalia from KMalinkaVintage said 7 years ago
Adorable Christmas decoration!
Annette from TheLeveretsNest said 7 years ago
ha ha so much fun! the 'red lumpy thing' sweet :) and I love the elf stockings and key - great idea! well done and thanks for the smiles and laugh xx
Leda Design from LedaDesign said 7 years ago
Great finds!
Elizabeth from AtolyeMetiista said 7 years ago
Those incense smokers remind me of a bunch that my grandmother had when I was little and that my mother then inherited. Seeing the collection of those and all of the nutcrackers my grandmother collected always makes me think of the holidays. I love the idea of tucking addresses into a calendar and writing to someone on each day. What a nice way to share your love.
Gayle DuRivage from ShadowDanceGlass said 7 years ago
I treasure the ribbon-wrapped styrofoam balls my mom made when I was a child and every year they have a place of honor on own tree. I hope that the ornaments I now make will someday carry the same type of significance and love.
Rich and Dona from TheCottageMouse said 7 years ago
I would love to deck the halls with all your marvelous festive finds. Thank you for a truly unique post. Merry Christmas to all Dona
Dale Coykendall from bestbrownie said 7 years ago
Lots of reminiscing going on here thank you ...and my daughter just came home so we are ready to let the festivities begin ! cheers everyone
Barbara from ionesAttic said 7 years ago
I'll mix it up with Ione's hand-made Victorian paper ornaments, Grandma Annies's blown glass balls as well as my grown children's hand made. It took me 25 years but am soooo over the designer tree!
Cathy from backyardprims said 7 years ago
Thank you for sharing your story Linzee. Loved it. Every year we put a small wrapped package with an attached note my son made in preschool under the tree...that's our start of the festivities. Oh yeah...he's now 22 and still looks for that package when he comes home! Merry Christmas!
Terry from Parachute425 said 7 years ago
What wonderful treasures!
Sheryl Scott from HgVintagetoo said 7 years ago
This year for Hanukkah our family gave each other our own handmade gifts. I think the kids appreciated and enjoyed this year the most. It's never too late to start traditions. Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas.
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 7 years ago
ha-ha-ha, that santa with pipe looks well angry :)
Madeleine Keller from ThoseGoodVibrations said 7 years ago
These picks are so great! I love the point about the Santa key! Kids really are smarter than we give them credit for haha
Jade from LoveandRummage said 7 years ago
Lovely post! & great finds!
Lorena Balea-Raitz from LorenasInkDesigns said 7 years ago
Gorgeous shops:)
Vickie Moore from WingedWorld said 7 years ago
Thank you, Linzee, for sharing such inspiring stories from people who have such wonderful holiday traditions!
Deborah McGovern from deborahmcgovern said 7 years ago
Love all the picks!! Gets you in the holiday spirit! :)
AuroraHorton from EstateofAuroraHorton said 7 years ago
Love the stockings!!
Samantha from DesignerPillowShop said 7 years ago
Lovely finds!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 7 years ago
Awesome treasury!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 7 years ago
Meant awesome choices!
Motleycouture from Motleycouture said 7 years ago
Handmade Christmas ornaments is what it is all about! I treasure mine!
Mary Lee from FiftyFourTenStudio said 7 years ago
Love it all! We just finished decorating our tree....with lots of homemade ornaments which bring back many memories! :)
Linzee from lkmccray said 7 years ago Featured
I'm thoroughly enjoying these stories of treasured holiday items and experiences. I have yet to do any holiday decorating, but your reminiscences are inspiring me to dig out the Christmas boxes (along with the red, lumpy thing) and deck the halls.
Mudpies And Rainbows from mudpiesandrainbows said 7 years ago
Love those knitted socks! That's my new years challenge learn how to sew and knit! My Santa Doors, would have been perfect for this Blog Post, if you get a sec to take a look see at my shop. Sparkle Bright, The Fairies xXx
Zeynep from ZeyJewel said 7 years ago
Great gift ideas, thanks for sharing !
unflappableproducts from unflappableproducts said 7 years ago
I love fresh ideas-great post!
Not Made In China Finds from NotMadeInChinaFinds said 7 years ago
Great ideas. So colorful and inspiring!
Colleen Walsh-Walsh from WalshWalshandSon said 7 years ago
good treasury. Thanks for sharing.
Vanessa Holmes from FaithandWhimsy said 7 years ago
I am in love with the "Magic Santa Key"!
MADE from MadeInc said 7 years ago
It is cool and very beautiful,,, thanks for sharing and our store also have some items that suitable for Christmas. Visit it or share some new concept with us~~
NaZariJewelry from NaZariJewelry said 7 years ago
So creative! The talent is amazing.
aressa from OriginalBridalHanger said 7 years ago
Pretty neat...Love the key idea!
Amy Hatcher from AmysGiftsAndMore said 7 years ago
I love this! Very creative :)
Carole Gernett from FurriPersonal said 7 years ago
Great stories behind these items. I too have some ornaments that I treasure because of the memories they bring and the tradition they represent. I try to add one or two hand made ornaments to our tree each year and hope my daughter will pass down the tradition.
Jennifer Presler from IlluminativeHarvest said 7 years ago
Beautiful treasures.
Janell from HomeHearthGarden said 7 years ago
I love the creativity!!
Koren Kwan from GarasuWonderland said 6 years ago
love this, so creative~
ACR from WoodsyWools said 6 years ago
I love the Christmas holiday tradition of collecting ornaments, and those that are passed on through generations are so special! Very fine finds here :-)
ACR from IntoTheBluePaintShop said 6 years ago
Very nice... I love the sentiments of these cherished items.
Christina from TheWildPlum said 6 years ago
Karen Brown's comment brought forth a downpour of tears and emotions. Beautifully shared. I seriously can't comment through my water-stained eyes. ♥♥♥♥
R. Anne from LnRworks said 6 years ago
Amazing! I love Christmas.
Liana from WildRoseAndSparrow said 6 years ago
For us, it really feels like Christmas is coming when there's the smell of cloves and cinnamon, oranges, chestnuts and molasses mingled with spruce hanging in the air. A Christmas tradition with my daughters (both of whom are dancers) ever since they were very young would be to take them to the Nutcracker downtown. From the ceremony of getting all dressed up for the fancy event downtown to Tchaikovsky's gorgeous music and the virtuosity of the Sugar Plum fairy, this is part of our Christmas preparations. :)
Lauren Williams from GoodnessCakes said 6 years ago
I just got out my Christmas box this morning! That red Christmas bulb is beautiful.
Lala Jewelry from Laladesignstudio said 6 years ago
I love how something as simple as a fluffy red thig, delicate glass ornament, or a pinecone covered in glitter can evoke such strong memories. Each peice has a story to tell. Decorating a christmas tree brings us all back to the simpiler times in our lives when we were children, our parents were still with us and life was full of imagination and magic. No matter how old we are Christmas still brings out the kid in all of us.
Dilani SK from Especially4UHandmade said 6 years ago
Beautiful stuff......
Paula Mucha from ilPiccoloGiardino said 6 years ago
Year after year, making memories is what it's all about. I was heartbroken when my childhood stocking was lost after my Mom passed away! Sometimes we have to re-create new things.
NeatoKeen from NeatoKeen said 6 years ago
My mother still hangs the handmade ornaments that my sisters and I made when we were children. We still move our personal ornament to the front in a prominent position and the others to the back of the tree. We do the "switch" clandestinely all week long. It's very childish but it's hilarious. We are all near or in our 50s! Christmas is everyone's chance to be a kid again :) Great article!
Olga from MaryAndGeneva said 6 years ago
We have many handmade ornaments on our family tree and my parents tree every year - such special memories. Great article and especially love the knitting stocking, and also the burlap ones that were featured!
christelpaola from ConstellationKnits said 6 years ago
lovely gift ideas! I especially love the ornament
Mo and Ki from MokiMinis said 6 years ago
Wow really awesome finds :)
aressa from OriginalBridalHanger said 6 years ago
Nice...I have my parents old decorations, as my mom had changed them out for a totally new decor on their tree...No she is gone, and my dad no longer puts up a tree... Memories...
luluxo from luluxo said 6 years ago
Definitely getting me in the mood to decorate!
Mary Lee from FiftyFourTenStudio said 6 years ago
I love this Christmas feature! The idea about putting addresses of family and friends in each pocket of an advent calendar and writing notes to a different person each day is a fabulous tradition.
Skidoodle from Skidoodle said 6 years ago
Knitting Christmas stockings today for my extended family. So much fun! I have so many ideas I want to try out. Maybe a new shop item next Christmas! Love this feature....beautiful work!
Jolene MacFadden from SouthernWomenCrafts said 6 years ago
Great ideas and we hope to have another all handmade presents to our family and friends again this year!
Mark Lam from Markfabric said 6 years ago
Wonderful idear! So beautiful items!
Pebble Ripearls from RIPEARLS said 6 years ago
Can't believe it is THE time of the year again! Great post!
Alaskalisky from AlaskaGoldRush said 6 years ago
Excellent Post! Very Educational about Santa and how he is perceived around the World by other cultures. See my Stocking Stuffer Lumps of Coal FUN GIFTS from Alaska and find out who's been NAUGHTY and who's been NICE. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Aleona from AleonasTreasury said 6 years ago
So good finds! Especially rabbits. Great thank you.
Nerrissa W from RecycledWares said 6 years ago
"The red lumpy thing" made me laugh. It is so funny how our childhood memories take shape and become something that no one else really understands. I have so many fond childhood memories.
Francesca from SettembrinaShop said 6 years ago
Homemade Christmas decorations truly give the idea of upcoming holidays! The Cherie Wheeler Designs are really enchanting, they are similar to the ones made by my mom :-)
IKA PARIS from ikabags said 6 years ago
Wonderful holiday finds! Great Post !
Taylor from TaylorsworldHandmade said 6 years ago
Christmas is all about the handmade decorations, check out my store for some handmade Liberty star decorations. Thank you.
Rosita from pillowlink said 6 years ago
Old goodies - so cute for Christmas. We have traditio and use for Christmas decor some old fashioned ornaments from my childhood times. Kids love them the most. They have spirit of Christmas for sure. :) Lat Christmas we baked lot of biscuits and decorated them. My daughter was in love with these decorations - home was full of cinnamon smell! Christmas tree looked original.
Vector Vintage from vectorvintageshop said 6 years ago
Great collection. And I love the advent calendars - showered lots of hearts there!!
Fields Of Vintage from FieldsOfVintage said 6 years ago
Oh! What cute items! I love the Holidays! Great selections.
Indigo Canyon Soap Co. from INDIGOCANYONSOAPCO said 6 years ago
Just adorable! What a great way to make your house welcoming for the holidays. Best of luck to you!
Dara K. from DaraDecor said 6 years ago
I love christmas time!
Veronica B. from VeryAndVery said 6 years ago
Wonderful !
Libivee from Libivee said 6 years ago
Beautiful!
Cristy Ramos from ArtisanBathandBody said 6 years ago
The best thing about the holidays, is sharing homemade with the family. Christmas time is just around the corner and there are many stuff to share! Knit stockings are one of those things that come to mind right away, but there's really more into it. Whatever you are planning on to put in there, the best thing to put is, of course, handmade items.
Katie Anne from MiddleCoast said 6 years ago
It was fun you mentioned Santa's (German) friend Krampus, because a local art studio here holds a "Krampuslauf" celebration! It's fun to see the variety of Krampus-themed art and fun. :) http://www.sidestreetstudioarts.org/#!krampuslauf---elgin-il/c207w
Fishcouple from fishcouple said 6 years ago
Nice finds! Love the advent calendar ..
Mónica López from Moniquesthingsshop said 6 years ago
I love this! Very creative :)
Zita from silkstory said 6 years ago
Lovely finds! Great ideas!
Rebecca from dellabellaBoutique said 6 years ago
Really fantastic finds!! I want everything!
Kristina from GoodMoodWoods said 6 years ago
So creative!
Katyooshjewelry jewelry from Kattyoosh said 6 years ago
Wonderful holiday finds!
Angela Lovett from MusicCityVintage said 6 years ago
Fantastic finds, I love everything here!
OurBrokenHouse from OurBrokenHouse said 6 years ago
You really know how to bring out the christmas feeling! :)
Shelley Robillard from ThisThatAndChristmas said 6 years ago
The plea to "not hang the red lumpy thing" until your daughter got home really made me laugh. My children are 22 and 24 and there are several ornaments that sit on the counter until they get home to place them on the tree. I think it just started that those were the things they always love to put on the tree most, so when they moved from home, I just saved them for them. Now it just seems right.
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 6 years ago
I love all the Christmas family tradition. Can't wait to pop some popcorn with my kids and string them. It is a little scary to hear that in Germany Santa is sometimes accompanied by Krampus, a demon-like figure who stuffs naughty children in a sack. My mother in law is German, I will definitely ask her about that.
Patti Trostle from PattiTrostle said 6 years ago
Great finds!
Koren Kwan from GarasuWonderland said 6 years ago
beautiful selection~
Lorraine Burt from WholeCaboodleDesign said 6 years ago
Really lovely finds, love making Christmas personal, I made an advent calendar for my family with photos of Christmas's past, and little christmas drawings that that my kids had done over the years - they're dying to get it out this year. Tradition is so important!
Joanne Dohr from Dogdohr said 6 years ago
I hope some of my Christmas baskets that I have sold are coming out again this time of year! Thanks.
Maika from MaikaHandworks said 6 years ago
Lovely finds! Thanks for sharing. Have a beautiful Holidays!
Luisa Lavado from PavioseParafina said 6 years ago
Christmas is a very special time for me. I inhearited the family recipes and the 'responsability' to make the traditional sweets like my grandmama used to do. There is also a glass reindeer ornament I offered my mother years ago ans that she always uses to decorate the tree. I also created a collection of candles dedicated to christmas. The 9 star pine tree is nowadays a decor tradition at home :)
Alisa Erkes from AllieBlankets said 6 years ago
Christmas is my favorite time of year! I made some custom items for a customer this year, tube sock stockings that were a replica of something she had as a child that was destroyed. It was so wonderful to be able to bring her precious memories back to life and to be able to crochet something for the holidays as well. :)
Kerime Sevilen Mustafaoglu from ASHYL said 6 years ago
Great finds!
Alexandra Simons from BlueMoonLights said 6 years ago
Beautiful post Linzee! Thank you!
FineWoodenToys from WoodenMarbleRuns said 6 years ago
Very nice..Thanks for sharing!
Amber from BambuEarth said 6 years ago
Love the magic Santa key! So cute! ♥︎♥︎♥︎
Rock Artiste from RockArtiste said 6 years ago
The magic of Christmas - make it all handmade. People appreciate a handmade homemade gift so much more and will cherish it forever.
Ralitza from domoshar said 6 years ago
Adding an ornament each year, making lots of paper decorations each year - German stars, lanterns, etc, cookies, winter wine... all the making, and aroma magic.. packing every present, writing every card... ... make a Christmas real.
anya powell from signaturepressdesign said 6 years ago
This gets me in the mood to trim the tree and dust off some Christmas traditions!
Jennifer Boaro from TheCatBall said 6 years ago
My mom sewed me this advent calendar and each day had a wrapped present tied to it. It was agonizing to wait all day long until I could open it! Even worse than that was when my brother came along. Mom gave him every other day, and that sucked!
Viktoria from KAPARA said 6 years ago
Cute stuff!
Sara Ermisch from LeosLovelyTreasures said 6 years ago
what a lovely article! Thanks for sharing!
MadeInNorthMelbourne from MadeInNorthMelbourne said 6 years ago
When my Mum passed away, after my Dad, my sister, brother and I shared the Christmas decorations between us, as we all wanted a part of them, so we all have them in our homes. How true that something with once a year use stays with us. As the baby I got the star for the top of the tree!
shirley coachman from SCfashioncreations said 6 years ago
Very nice!
Dee Dee Gooding from DeeDeeOriginals said 6 years ago
Love the holidays ! living in Lake Tahoe I like decorating with nature gifts. Pine cones and a piece of Tahoe is what I love to use in my accents for the home. Bless, Dee Dee
Elizabeth Knaus from FreshRetroGallery said 6 years ago
My family tree charts are used as a holiday or family reunion project. Something that a family can do together and each bring home a very meaningful keepsake.
RoyalCrownHandmade from RoyalCrownHandmade said 6 years ago
Love this store! Great Post ! www.etsy.com/people/natafish67?ref=si_pr#
Koren Kwan from GarasuWonderland said 6 years ago
so creative~
Luz Spears from OneofakindVintage1 said 6 years ago
Love it!
Mary Robertson from MaggiesInn said 4 years ago
Wonderful holiday items and ideas.. thank you!
Stephen Shecora from BrokenArrowStore said 4 years ago
The Holiday season is always a magical time of the year. Homemade gifts are so intimate and the best to give. Gorgeous holiday finds!