I've done all the decorating I can do this year. Shopping too. Not that that is ever a whole lot. I like Christmas to be about things you do, and not things you buy. But there are some things I find hard to resist, and one of them is vintage Shiny Brite ornaments.
I like them all. Big and small, plain and fancy, and in all colors. I've sold or given away most of those I've collected in the past, but a box full of classics like these at a giveaway price (which most of them are these days) must be given an appreciative home, even if they will only be enjoyed in the box just as they are.
And Christmas for me is
about the small joys. Over the years of raising a family, we managed to do a wide range of traditions. Some only once, and some every year. Each child had a favorite. Like the gingerbread house. Stamping Christmas paper. Or baking. But you can't do it all every year. And you probably shouldn't try.
Christmas with kids almost defines the holiday. A lot of the magic of the season is invested in children. And that's where the joy began for most of us.
Now that my kids are grown, I have retired from the "job" of producing Christmas. Aside from trying to meet expectations (mostly my own), and financing a joyful celebration for seven youngsters, there were a great many events, parties, gifts, and projects in an impossible few weeks. Always with real life trying to go on in the margins. I see my parent children now struggling with the same issues of trying to balance the work of the Season with the joy.
But I'm back to the simple delights and "shiny brites" that first captivated my imagination as a girl in the first place. Sharing them with the new eyes and young minds of another generation. Showing them relics of a Christmas past, live with evergreen, and fragile. . . .
Wishing you a Vintage Christmas!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Ciao! for now!
Jacqueline
Join me at
Home Sweet Home
How Sweet the Sound
Beautiful ornaments. Happy Pink Saturday.. early!
ReplyDeleteLove the great ornaments and I'm at the same place as you... relax and enjoy:@)
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty box of ornaments! It's rare to find a full box of the same ones in good shape. The antique store in the city sells ornaments for $3.00 or $5.00 each depending on the size and condition but will often sell for less. I like the frosted ones best. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteLove those shiny brites!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove those vintage shiny brites and I agree ~ as we age we can enjoy more of the real Christmas in everything that we do for our family and extended families ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe Shiny Brites are handsome indeed and we seek to celebrate simply and at a relaxed pace too.
ReplyDeleteHappy pink saturday!
ReplyDelete…....... /)
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…¨˜“გª¤.¸::¸.¤ª☆“˜¨¨happy new year.
…¤¸*¸.¤ª“˜@¨¨¨***2012****.
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just lovely, like how you used the word, fragile. your photos look like looking through and old fragile lens to an earlier time...
ReplyDeleteKaren
Hi J,
ReplyDeleteOh I love those Shiny Brites, they have become impossible to find here, but you've acquired a great selection! Wow on the cherub and Silent Night!! Your soft green quilt is delicious!
A sweet and lovely post!
Happy Pink Saturday :-)
Hugs,
Bella
oh, you're such a gal after my heart! I love all colors and your embossed ones are great. I have boxes that I just stack up and look at to enjoy!!! Merry Christmas, J!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWonderful display. You know how take pictures. Laura
ReplyDeleteJust lovely!
ReplyDeleteLove it when you find them in the box.
I think about that every time I open a box and pitch it afterwards. :( I have so many rubbermaid boxes with separators that it doesn't make sense for me to keep them, but then I feel guilty!!!
Love your grouping.
xox
Alison
Your shiney brites are so pretty and remind me of Christmas when I was young!
ReplyDeleteI love these! I have some of those too and I treasure them each year we bring up our decorations!
ReplyDeleteHi Jacqueline,
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of your photos, as always. They bring me back to another time always...
Happy Christmas,
Linda at Beautiful Ideas
Love your Shiny Brites and in my favorite color pink! Happy Holidays, Laura
ReplyDeleteLove your collection of shiny brites Jacqueline; the colours are gorgeous. Will these be adorning a tree, nestled in a pretty platter/bowl or ... are they for sale???
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas
Bestest
Jo xx
I enjoyed your thoughts and agree with you, at the same stage here. Seeing your quilt reminded me that I have a white and red quilt, perfect time to pull it out. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed looking at your vintage ornaments...you're lucky you've been able to keep so many of them and not get broken over the years....thanks so much for commenting at Mel's Designs when you get the chance...you're a good friend...Mel
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed looking at those gorgeous vintage glass baubles. The cone and twig wreath is so nice too,Jaqueline
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family xx jeanetteann
I have a few that I've bought over time at the fleamarket, I'll have to go dig them out, I didn't realize I missed them until I read your post! Yours are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThey are wonderful treasures, aren't they? I agree about retiring from the "job" of Christmas. Our kids won't be with us this year, so I have done very little. Just enough to spread comfort & joy around the house for my Honey & me without the usual stress. Quite peaceful really! Such a lovely post. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteRuth
Lovely pictures and I agree.
ReplyDeleteElna
you are so right about those ornaments are just as lovely sitting in their vintage box...just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas
Ellen
Your shiny brites are beautiful. I relate to what you say about how things change when your children are grown. Two of mine are college-age and one really is on his own, but things are much simpler now and I like it that way.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! Those very same ornaments still are amongst those my mom hangs on her tree! They've been favorites of mine my whole life!
ReplyDeleteRobin
Hi Jacqueline (also my daughter's name :D)--I love your shiny brites--in great shape, and beautiful colors!! Happy PS!
ReplyDeleteI love your vintage ornaments, but I especially love what you wrote, because I have been having questions this year about what christmas will mean when my kids are grown. I have one grown and gone, one a teenager and one 5 year old. I know that sounds like I still have many years left with my youngest, but I am already thinking about when he is grown. Will christmas still be something to look forward to? I agree, right now my youngest is the glue that holds all the traditions and magic together but everyone tells me christmas will still be nice, just different. I guess it will be what I make it.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day and come by and visit my new blog some time.
Jody @ Northern Living
Love your shiney bright ornaments. I collect some of the smaller ones. I know what you mean about Christmas changing as the kids get older. My youngest is 21, and 2 still live at home. I do the decorations, but not as much as I used to. They still like the homemade cookies too.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
These are fantastic Jacqueline! I love the graphics on them. Great colors too. Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home and have a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSherry