My Christmas Mantel

This is my Christmas mantel.  No, it's not something you would see in the latest issue of "House Beautiful", but we love it.  This is the first year we've decorated this mantel like this, with the garland and lights.  

There are so many wonderful memories in this photos.  

There are two red wax "statues" of Christmas carolers that were purchased by my parents from Avon many, many years ago...when I was very young.  I always remember the smell  of those carolers in my home as a young girl, and it brings back warm memories.

There are little trinkets that my now 18 year old son purchased with points at Awanas, during the Christmas season, just to give to me.  I will cherish those little trinkets for many years to come.

There are snow globes, which is our family tradition with Papa Bear and I and our kids.  We get a new one each year, and now we have four, since we started this tradition.

There is a little angel on our mantel, that was given to us by Papa Bear's mom.  She has had this angel (that came in a set of 3 angels....one for each of her three children) for many years...kind of like the wax carolers.

There are stocking holders that we have had to add to as the years go by.  We started with three, and now there are SIX (we currently have a foster child who is 1 year old).

There is a "cutting board" with a sleeping Christmas mouse tole painted on it, from a tole painting class I took with my dad when we lived in Okinawa.

There is a ceramic snowman that was given to me as a gift from my sister-in-law.

And there is a mantel clock, given to us by one of my brothers and his wife, for our wedding in 2004.

If I didn't want to risk it getting ruined or falling apart, there would be a stocking hung over the fireplace that was made by my great-great aunt, and given to me for my very first Christmas.  I want to protect it because some of the adornments are coming off, so it's tucked carefully away in a Christmas box.

I really, really love having this beautiful Christmas mantel, and so does Papa Bear.  He said that he has never seen it look quite as pretty as it does right now.

What are some of your cherished memories from Christmas, that you have on display in YOUR home?  I'd love to hear about them, or see them!

Mama Bear