A lot of our decorations are ones we have had since we have been married, with various themes - our pets, our trips, family. And of course there are newer ones as well that we have chosen or that have been gifted to us by others.
But even before those first things mentioned above show up, this decoration is taped onto the inside of our door.
Yep, a cardboard Christmas wreath. It's one of the first decorations we ever bought together, at our first Christmas after we were married. It hung on the outside of our apartment door (which was inside, protected from weather) when we lived in married student housing at the University of Notre Dame, where The Tim was in graduate school, and I worked in the library. We had neither a lot of money nor a lot of room for decorations, but were determined to make our place look Christmas-y. Until a couple of years ago, you could see the price marked in pencil on the back (69 cents!) Most of the year it lives in a plastic bag in the basement, with the other non-Christmas things. When I take the few things we have for Thanksgiving to put them away, it's right there, so it's easy enough to just bring it upstairs and add it to the door - voila, Christmastime has begun!
It's showing some signs of wear (I mean, it *is* a 35-year-old paper cardboard decoration), but as long as it still looks like what it is, and doesn't smell weird, get moldy, etc., I'll hang it up. I like hanging it on this door, with the peephole to the outside in the middle. (Note to the NSA - festive spying is more fun!)
Is it cheap-looking? Yes. Cheesy. Yes. But it's also colorful, cheerful, in one piece, and full of Christmas memories. And in our house, it means the festivities have begun!
Not a bad deal for 69 cents, if you ask me.
11 comments:
I'd say you've gotten your money's worth out of that!
In years past, we've decorated a little at a time, but this year it seems like we rushed it. Mostly because I was anxious to get our Christmas pictures taken this year (first year we've done our own).
I love decorating for Christmas regardless. It's such a wonderful family tradition, I think--for us, anyway.
I hung that same wreath on my classroom door for many, many years. Great minds think alike, right? ;oD
I love decorating for Christmas! In an odd coincidence...the very first Christmas decoration my husband and I bought for our first married Christmas last year was also a wreath! One of the cheap, but cheerful and festive, foil ones from Wal-mart, because we also had little space and less money. We plan on using it till it goes bald. And when it does, I plan on covering the frame with knitting!
the best decorations are the ones that tell our stories. no matter the price, or the age, or the "tacky" factor :-)
I think it is great and best of all it brings back so many memories.
We are in full decorating mode here, now if I could only get my husband to put the lights up outside.
Hugs,
Meredith
I LOVE your wreath! What wonderful memories for you - every year. The thing I like best of all about December . . . is unpacking all the memories as I unpack the ornaments and decorations. XOXO
I love your cardboard wreath! I have one of those felt elf-on-the-shelf elves (although no one was calling it that back in the '60s when it appeared at our house), and he's all faded and almost pink, but I wouldn't give him up for anything.
Those things are just the best. You must NEVER get rid of it. .The history for you and your hubby is what makes CHRISTMAS…
I love all things Christmas like you!
I've been playing carols like a crazy woman.
When I go to the nursery I put their holiday music on for the babies…
and for ME
I think it's fabulous. The old, cheesy Christmas decorations are among my favorites. Going through my parents' house, I found some 60s' classics.
It looks like the perfect way to start the Christmas countdown to me. Full of memories and easy to put up :)
Post a Comment