Handmade Holiday Cards

I love checking the mail during the holidays.  I enjoy seeing the growth of families over the previous year, the card designs people chose, and reading the newsletters often included.

Last year, I decided to make my own holiday cards.  I hated every second of it, and I was bound and determined never to do it again.  However, as the holidays approached I couldn't get the idea of making my cards out of my head.

I began early...deciding that was the way to enjoy the process (plus, I really like for my holiday cards to arrive the day after Christmas).  I choose some fabulous papers and a plan of creating cards in the shape of gift tags.  I typically create them in an assembly line fashion.  While watching tv or listening to the radio, I finish one step on all the cards.  Once that step is complete, I move on to the next step...until all the cards are finished.  Well, as I completed my first tag card, I couldn't believe how hideous they were.  So, I dumped them and started again...luckily I had enough materials to complete new ones.

Tonight, I finished.  I was too lazy to fix the lighting in my pictures, so I'm including a terrible picture (for you to see the colors) and another bad photograph (with poor coloring) to see the overall design.  Check your mail...they're coming soon!

Christmas Ornaments

I feel like I've called every ornament my favorite this week.  It's a difficult decision.  However, this one certainly holds a special place (without a doubt).

In 2003, Dad accepted the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award  (his speech from the day).  We all traveled (including my minister, many legislators, friends, etc.) to Boston and spent a weekend enjoying festivities with the Kennedy family.  The weekend was bittersweet.  We went through a lot getting to that moment, but it was certainly worth it.  The afternoon before departing Boston, I purchased an ornament in order to commemorate the experience.  This gorgeous ornament (shaped like a drum even though you can't tell in this photo) means a lot to me.

I saved the best for last!

Christmas Ornaments

Growing up, my name was super unique.  Because it was so atypical, I never found any personalized memorabilia.  However, I do specifically remember Mom finding some barrettes, but I think I was in high school (and never wore them).  I recently read a list of the most popular names, and I was amazed to see my name on the list.  Because my name was so difficult to find when I was young, people now purchase ornaments with my name on a regular basis.  So, I have at least ten adorning my tree.  Here are a few of them...

Christmas Ornaments

Allison and John visited the Biltmore House a couple of years ago.  I asked Allison to return with an ornament because I wanted to include one in my collection.  When she returned, this is what she gave me...

You can see why she would look at this and think Biltmore House, right?  I was humored.  Then, she pulled this one out and said it was the one she truly bought to memorialize the location.

Still not exactly what I was expecting, but at least it does say Biltmore at the bottom.

Christmas Ornaments

Being an aunt is one of the most special aspects of my life.  I adore the time I spend with each of them, and I cherish the differences between their personalities.  They are each so unique with different interests.  Every year, I receive some sort of handmade ornament from them.  Here are a few I added to my tree this year.

Christmas Ornaments

While in college, I spent the holidays one year with a friend and his family in Mississippi.  After I returned, I received a small package with a porcelain ornament from his mom (the epitome of a Southern woman).  She included a letter describing the artist and how she only made a small number of ornaments annually.  Today, my friend lives in New York, so I seldom get to see him.  However, I remember all the fun and silly times we shared while growing up over the four years of college.

Christmas Ornaments

As a teacher, you receive a TON of Christmas ornaments.  I certainly have my favorites. While teaching, I had one student that I will FOREVER remember and whom will always have a special place in my heart.  He gave me this ornament, and it will always have an equally special place on my tree!