Christmas Collections Close to the Heart
I'm so excited to share Christmas Collections Close to the Heart. I treasure my Lenox ornaments, handmade Wizard of Oz set, and stockings.
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I've got a treat for you today! This installment of the Lifestyle of Love is all about collections. It is hosted by my friend, Cindy, from County Road 407.
I am sure you loved seeing all of Debra's Christmas collections from one of my favorite French-inspired blogs, Common Ground.
Christmas Collections Close to the Heart
Don't you think that handmade items and gifts given as a collection are some of the most treasured possessions you could own? That is why my Christmas collections are close to my heart.
While we have several collections in our home like toile trays and mortar and pestles, three Christmas collections come to mind that I treasure the most.
I take extra care when storing all of our Christmas decor, but these three items get extra care and never go in the attic. They are those items that are pretty close to the center of the house so that if there was an emergency….and it was safe….they'd come with us.
The Stockings
My late mother-in-law was amazing at needlework. She made each and every family member their own custom Christmas stocking.
So much work goes into each and every stocking. I had no idea just how expensive the kits were for these.
I keep telling myself that maybe I should take up needlework so that I can carry on the tradition for my family. Hmmm…..I wonder when I can fit that in.
I was not expecting the gift when she handed me my stocking that she had lovingly made me that I was able to use for our first Christmas as a married couple way back in 1990. We were married on December 27, 1989.
I was blown away by the craftsmanship.
Doris made each of the kids their stockings in time for their first Christmases. So very special!
Ashlyn's stocking is very special because hers was the last one that she made before her Alzheimers took over.
It was really tough to recently get both of their stockings and hand them over to them to take to their apartments.
I was able to find these stockings on Etsy that can be personalized. They are very nice quality. I purchased them for both of their spouses.
The Wizard of Oz Ornaments
Do you spy the Wizzard of Oz ornaments below on the live tree? This is our family tree of collected ornaments.
Just for fun, I checked eBay to see if I could find a set like mine. I did! Here is a link to a vintage set like mine.
This was the tree last year. I always hang them front and center.
My mother hand-made the set many years ago when we were very little. She gave them to me a few years back when our kids were young so that they could enjoy them.
My mother used to do lots of needlework. She was very talented at it as well.
We treasure these so very much.
Lenox Yearly Ornament
I do not remember the exact year that my mother-in-law gave us our very first yearly Lenox ornament. It was many years ago. I was smitten with them and began purchasing the yearly dated ornament for us.
I eventually had enough of them collected so that I could move them to their own dedicated tree.
They used to go on the live family tree with our other collected ornaments.
Since they are breakable, I moved them to their own dedicated artificial tree in the foyer about 16 years ago.
I use a slim, 9-foot tree in the foyer. It's a nice touch considering the foyer is open on all sides and not conducive to furniture. This tree tucks in nicely in the corner.
It's evolved and changed through the years. I have used red on the tree in the past. In recent years, I have gone more neutral with golds.
Aren't they adorable?
The yearly ones that I have purchased each year are either Santa or Snowmen.
They are just so sweet with the details and touch of whimsy.
I like that they are all unified with the same primary color, white. Then accented with holiday color.
You can actually search Amazon for past years of these. Luckily, only one of them has been broken through the years.
Each year, I add a few other simple ornaments to the tree.
How adorable is the ornament for 2022!!
Both of our kids got married recently. I've started a Lenox collection with their first ornament this year.
The Santa on Skis is so nostalgic!
This old gold ornament is not part of a collection but is a collective favorite of my treasured ornaments through the years. It's actually an ornament from my first Christmas. I was born on Christmas Eve. I am about to turn 54…….gulp. The hanger is broken on it. It is quite fragile now so I just display it in a bowl with other ornaments each year.
Up next is my friend CoCo from The Crowned Goat. You are going to love her “sweet” tree!
I'd love for you to share with me any collections that you treasure.
I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
More Fabulous Collections
Our Christmas Home
Christmas is perhaps my favorite season to decorate our home. Here are several ideas through the years.
Christy has been creating content for Our Southern Home since 2012. She has been featured in numerous print and online publications. Her classic, eclectic design approach spans her home and fashion style. Christy has a way of mixing store-bought with thrift store, antique and vintage finds. As a recent empty nester, she is having fun navigating this new stage of life. Read more about Christy HERE. Be sure to subscribe below. You can also contact me HERE.
Such lovely collections and so dear to your heart!
Merry Christmas!
Happy early birthday, Christy! Loved seeing your collections and learning about their nostalgic memories. Your foyer tree is stunning; how fun to have that kind of space! Merry Christmas!
Your stockings are so incredible Christy. Such a wonderful tradition to collect yearly Lenox ornaments. Loved this post so much. I can see why your collections are so close to your heart. Happy holidays!
Such gorgeous stocking and wonderful ornaments. Your trees and decor are simply fabulous!
I can see why you cherish your collection of stockings and ornaments. Each one is fantastic! Not only is the craftmanship in the stockings absolutely gorgeous but the memory of your sweet MIL and how many hours she spent on them must warm your heart. No one in my family is sentimental really so now that I’m older and wiser, I feel it’s sad no one kept anything. Your Lenox tree is pretty as well and I love they get their own tree. Each one is so cute! When you decide to carve out that time for needlework, I’ll be the first in line for something amazing. 😉 Thank you for joining us. I seriously loved each collection!
Christy, oh my those stockings are incredible. What a lovely display and I know your children must treasure them as well. How wonderful that you collect the yearly ornaments as well. Such a beautiful tradition. I hope you’re having a lovely Christmas Season!! blessings!
Christy, your Christmas collections and decor are just beauitful. I don’t even have our tree up yet, haha. Pinned and happy hopping with you today!
Oh my word, Christy, those stockings are such a treasure! All those stitches must have taken her hours. Talk about a labor of love. It’s so special you still have them and are able to use them. I love that you carried on the tradition of the Lenox tree and it was so cool to see the Wizard of Oz tree too. Hope you and your family have a magical holiday season, CoCo
Thanks so much, CoCo! Those stocking are such a treasure. I hope the kiddos guard them with their life! Lol!