Saturday, December 14, 2013

A Nostalgic Noël

We all own items that have sentimental value, providing us with sweet memories of loved ones and times gone by. Here's a few of our Christmas treasures that give us a sense of nostalgia.


Mom remembers this ceramic storage box being one of her mom's favorite trinkets and seeing it in her kitchen while they visited over a cup of coffee. 


Just like her mom, my mom loves all children and says we should all have the heart of a child during the season.


Greek Santa is also a sentimental Christmas treasure to Mom as it symbolizes her heritage. She puts him out every year along with her other holiday decor.

 
Have you read The Little Match Girl? It's a beautiful and sentimental short story written by Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen. Every year, we would sit on Mom's lap while she read a children's version to us. 


Although it made me sad, it taught me at a young age how fortunate I was in life and to help others who are in need. If you would like to read the original, follow this link
 
On a lighter note, let me introduce you to our last treasure, Brownie the Bear


When we were young, Nel gave him to me as a Christmas gift, and she had no idea how much I would love him to this day. Mom even bought him a Santa suit one year.


I don't think you are ever too old for a Teddy Bear! If you are ever feeling down, hug one...I bet you will instantly feel better ;-) 


We hope you enjoyed a peek into our Christmas treasures. DO tell us if you have your own!

~Jess

30 comments:

September Violets said...

These are the best types of Christmas decorations. It's just so special to remember loved ones at this time of year. I have many sentimental decorations myself ... some a little heartbreaking at times, but it's just from missing the people who gave them to me. Thanks for sharing these special keepsakes. All the best to you! Wendy x

NanaDiana said...

I have some wonderful Christmas treasures- as do you! I love your sweet little bear and your Mom's pieces that she loves. MY Christmas treasure this year is that our grandson's life was saved and we have our happy, healthy little boy- and all done through another two bloggers' information. He is the treasure of my heart this year- xo Diana

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning sweet Jess! Hugs to you and your mother, who has been the best friend to me, as many dear bloggers. Love all the sentimental tokens of the season! Anita

Leslie said...

I have a couple of friends that have literally tossed out most of their old ornaments to replace it with new decor. There is always something new that comes out.. new themes, different colors, larger bulbs, etc. I think it's important to retain at least a bit of nostalgia:) Memories are what it's all about! Hope you are have a wonderful weekend:) xxleslie

Patricia said...

Love your special Christmas treasures, especially Greek Santa, and yes, I do have my own treasures. They come out each year to join the new ideas I come up with! A framed 30 year old photo of my children with Santa tops my list!

Merlesworld said...

I love christmas decorations with a history I have collected mine over the years and some are very old but they bring back the memories as I put them up.
Merle.............

Stephanie said...

It is always a joy going through Christmas treasures - I, too, have quite a few that are very special to me and have sweet memories attached to them. I enjoyed this post and Brownie the Bear is precious! Have a blessed weekend.

Hugs to you!

TARYTERRE said...

LOve the Santa Bear. So sweet.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love your sweet bear and all of your special pretties. I don't have anything from years past but I'm starting to collect things of my own now...and many of them vintage from the thrift store. It's fun for me! Enjoy your weekend!

Susie said...

I like your mom's treasure and your bear. Once my father gave my twins some little honey colored bears..my daughter Karen still has hers and it's about flat from all the loving. I call my husband Teddy Bear...his name is Ted. :):) blessings to you,xoxo,Susie

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Jess,
Your family is very special and has kept the spirit of Christmas alive all throughout the year. I love that your Mom is not cynical and embraces all the joy that you all bring to her and each other. Do you know that my Mom read the Little Match Girl to me every Christmas and I have a mini book hanging on the tree in our family room.
I totally agree with you-a Teddy Bear has a magical spell to make everything alright again! Bet thats why my 18 month old grandbaby loves his so much!
With Love,
Jemma

Tulla and Catie said...

Every year in December I go upstairs and fetch down the many boxes with all my christmas treasures. Each time I am very excited to find things I had no longer in mind. We have a very cute Santa Claus figure which is very tall and is always positioned on the stairs. When the kids came back from school and saw him for the first time in the year, they were very happy to see him announcing that Christmas Eve is not too far away :).
Have a nice Christmas time,
Barbara

Ricki Treleaven said...

Such sweet Christmas traditions, Jess. Thanks for sharing them with us!

Barbara said...

Lots of memories with your collection, Jess. I've been collecting Radko Gift Givers for years...love getting them out each year.
(I have a needlepoint teddy bear I did ages ago...he sits in my bedroom to this day!)

Barbara Lilian in France said...

Lovely post full of loving memories. your Mums tin box & your cute little teddy in his father Christmas outfit happy Christmas to you and your family.

CraveCute said...

Thanks for sharing your sweet treasures!

Antee Gurung said...

wow this is such a special post. i love the way u express these beautiful emotions. offcourse chritmas is that time of the year. i hope you get all that u wished for

btw do check out my new post
stay in touchxoxo

Yuli Conversations said...

I love these Christmas decorations, they are so special. Every year when you pull them out, they become more and more special. I am happy you have such a great Christmas story about the decorations you use/d. xoxo yuli

www.yuliconversations.blogspot.com

It's me said...

What a beautiful post ...memories about your mom.......i miss her too...this is the third christmas without her....love from me x !!

Attic Clutter said...

lovely lovely post nel
sheri I am sure you have a lot of darling christmas decor about (:)
hope your b 4 christmas week is very merry merry too!
hugs patty

tammy j said...

wonderful.
warmth.
memories.
and the little match girl brought back a special one for me.
i'm sitting on my grama's lap and she's reading it. and i cry!
then I ask her to read it again.
LOL.
these are lovely jess.

Teresa said...

I've been here yesterday and I couldn't comment because your questions really threw me off... do I create... do I have memories that come out every Christmas?!

I don't think so. Well, there are my endless Nativities but I don't think my kids will think of it as a "stapple" in our Christmas. I guess I like change. Changing things. And on Christmas isn't different ahahahah. I like to renew, to make different every year.

A bit related with my ways - once an Uncle of mine asked what my son was studying and I said "Design" and he went "small wonder. you overwhelmed the poor puppy always creating and inventing around the house" ahahahah and he said it in such a sorrowful way that I laugh until today. But if I did I'm pleased as he's really good. Great in fact. And that's what matters most.

But if you ask any of them - my son or daughter - what's one thing that comes back year after year? they would think and say The Nativities. But if you ask "any specific place mother's going to display they" they might say "dammned if I know" ahahahah


I loved going through your memories.

And associating the quote: "Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home. ~Carol Nelson" because when families - Moms - create such sweet memories and traditions it's good to be back - wether for a cup of coffee and a bit of girlfriend chat or for Christmas Night.


Enjoy The Season,
Teresa

Imogen said...

I agree with so many of the comments that these are the best type of christmas decorations. I love that we should have "the heart of a child during the season" I think it describes the essence of Christmas very well. I love your little bear Jess. That is gorgeous that he still means so much to you today. I have a couple of little things from my sister when we were kids that I still love today. I agree that no one is ever too old for teddy bears. I have quite a few myself. Hugging a bear does make me feel better.

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Sheri, Jess and Nel,

Love seeing all your pretty Christmas decorations and it is the happy memories we can think back on, at this time. Love the sweet brown bear in his Santa suit.
Happy week
hugs
Carolyn

Redecórate con Lola Godoy said...

Hi, your decorations is lovely and adorable. Marvelous. Kisses and hugs.

Zizi Santos said...

Obrigada por mostrar seus tesouros de Natal!
todos são lindos muito significativos!
adorei
Zizi

Ann said...

Those are really lovely treasures.
I'm with you
I also can not part with things
that have been a part of our family for years, they hold sentimental values and memories that we can't let go and won't let go. Our family still uses the same angel on top of our Christmas tree for years the same one we use when my child was still one year old. Even with its chipped parts it is loved by our family.

Leslie said...

Lovely post and I agree that the best decor are the pieces that have stood the test of time:)

I'm not getting updates for your blog in my inbox so I'm adding you to the blog roll. Hopefully that will help!

Cinzia said...

A sweet and beautiful post! Merry Christmas to you and all your family!
Cinzia

Red Rose Alley said...

Don't forget to bring Brownie when you come over hehehe.

~Mom