The Most Favorite and Popular Things from Christmas Past

Merry Christmas everyone! The big day is finally here and I truly hope you find some measure of peace and joy on this very special holiday that celebrates the birth of Christ. I don’t really expect a lot of people to read the blog today, but if you’re here, thank you for being a faithful reader! I thought I’d celebrate by taking a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the favorite and popular things from Christmas past that I’ve shared.

Oh Christmas Tree

I have to start with this year’s tree because it’s the one I love best since living in our old house. You’ll probably see some version of it next year with a mix of new and vintage ornaments.

 

Another favorite tree is this Scandinavian style tree from 2020 dressed in natural wood ornaments , paper snowflakes, and lighted faux candles. This was the year of my neutral Christmas.

 

And then there was the year when I stuffed my fattest tree with an abundance of white ornaments and faux floral sprays. I love creating themes at Christmas and I always start with decorating the tree.

 

Mantels from Christmas Past

My circa 1875 house doesn’t have a fireplace, but for several years I incorporated a faux vintage mantel, moving it from room to room as I redecorated. I especially loved when it was painted black for drama. Metallic ornaments and thick greenery lent drama to its festive appearance. And if I can catch a glimpse of the twinkly tree in a mirror, all the better.

 

This twig bark wreath was a treasured find from a friend’s store in another town. I’ve since moved it outside to my fence gate in the backyard. This Christmas mantel was created in 2017, shortly after I found the white vintage mantel at a local consignment shop.

 

I still love my snowy vintage mantel from 2016. I recently featured it in a Style Showcase post. I found the little wooden houses at Michael’s craft store and left them unfinished. Luckily I found little wooden snow people that were the right size for the village.

 

Holiday Dining

Since we now spend our family Christmas in Galena, I no longer set an elaborate holiday table, but I’ve got some favorite tablescapes from Christmas past. I especially loved the sparkle and glam from my gold and crystal table setting, with a tiny crown at each plate. I chose this color scheme to match the Christmas tree.

 

When it’s just me and hubby for breakfast, I enjoy setting a festive table in the kitchen for Christmas morning. This was the first and only year (2018) I had a live tree in the kitchen.

 

And then there was the Christmas past where I got creative with a floral chandelier in the breakfast nook, using a mix of faux greenery and live poinsettias.

 

Holiday Vignettes

Creating vignettes is almost as fun as decorating the tree. There’s so many ways to get creative with them. Sometimes it’s as simple as filling a wooden bowl with greens and ornaments. I have two dozen of these painted paper mache ornaments and people always ask me where to find them. They’re from HomeGoods and I haven’t been able to find them anywhere else, despite my Google search attempts. You’d have to buy plain ones and paint them yourself.

 

Bottle brush trees are near and dear to my heart and I think I’ve had them displayed every Christmas. Sometimes they’re white, sometimes they’re green. But you’ll always find a few in my home for the holidays.

 

A vignette can be a small grouping on a table, or can incorporate the wall behind it, as well. This was the year when I was embracing a Scandinavian style Christmas theme. I almost always have poinsettias for the holiday.

 

Favorite Christmas Recipes

And finally, here’s a few of my favorite recipes from Christmas past. First up, is Chocolate Souffle Creme Anglaise. It sounds and looks fancy but it’s actually pretty easy to make.

 

Are you a fan of egg nog? Skip the grocery store version and make your own with my Holiday Egg Nog recipe.

 

And if you need a quick snack in a hurry that everyone will love, whip up a batch of Christmas Popcorn that combines the sheer bliss of sweet and salty enjoyment.

 

Thanks for taking this nostalgic walk down the memory lane of Christmas past with me! I wish you and your loved ones a very blessed Christmas and New Year!

 

And if you haven’t already, be sure to enter for a chance to win two beautiful decorating books by Amber Lewis. The winners will be announced on New Year’s Day!