As you all know, I love sharing about home, family, and special traditions. Oh, I know it seems like just decorating, recipes and gardening around here, but all those things happen for one reason only: I want to love on my family. How I do that is by preparing them good, healthy food (some of which I grow) and surrounding them with a welcoming home they want to hang out in and traditions that ensure they have ties and memories with our family throughout their lives – no matter where that might take them.
So when Porch.com contacted me about being a part of their #loveyourhome series where bloggers share favorite memories, sentimental items or special areas of their homes, I said, “Sure!” (Porch.com is a new site to me – I checked it out and was impressed with how they are combining home inspiration, a place to find professionals to help with your home, advice, and other tips in one site. Check it out – but grab a cup of tea first, since you may want to stay awhile!)
And since it was the holidays, I knew just what I’d share about. In fact, I didn’t think twice about it, because Christmas always makes me remember my maternal grandma, how much she meant to me and how she invested in my life. And while the memories I have of her are with me always, the holidays are special because I inherited her cherished Nativity set – the same one I remember her setting up with care under her table-top Christmas tree each year, and how excited I was to help when I was old enough.
And that’s a tradition I’m so happy to be able to pass along to our children. My son and daughter couldn’t wait until they were old enough to unwrap each of the little animals and place them among the paper straw. Each year as we pulled the items out of the box, we’d talk about the Christmas story as we placed Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in the manger – and what it still means to us today. These are things no amount of money can buy.
We even laugh over the fact that in the original full set, the three wise men were just larger versions of Joseph – really, same paint, pose and everything, all three of them! I remember asking my Grandma about it and she just shrugged and said that’s all they had at the store where she bought them. I was able to find different wise men and a shepherd close to the same size a few years ago and I added them to the set. None of them are costly items, originally just a five-and-dime store set, but they are precious to me – and now to my kids.
Do you have something that you cherish at the holidays – a special memory, item or favorite place? Put it on Instagram, tag me, and use the #loveyourhome!
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, it’s just an opportunity to write and share something meaningful to our family. 🙂
Mimi Dolezal says
I really enjoy your “do-able” decorating, crafting and cooking ideas! Thank you for reminding us why we celebrate the Christmas Season.
Jami says
Thank you so much, Mimi – your comment is a lovely gift for me. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Betsy says
I love this post. I can totally relate! I have actually been working on a similar blog post myself. I don’t do instagram, but if you go here you can see my favorite Christmas decorations.
Jami says
Fun decorations, Betsy! 🙂
Michele says
Loved this post, Jami!
Although, we ‘hide’ baby Jesus until Christmas eve….It’s a big part of our tradition, as is our Advent Wreath with 3 purple and 1 pink candle. By the way, this Sunday is the week to light the pink candle- in honor of ‘Gaudete Sunday’. The readings at Mass are all about, “REJOICE”.
karen Hall says
Oh my goodness – I think I have the same Nativity set. It was the first thing that was put under our tree when I was a little girl over sixty years ago. I just love it and it’s just not Christmas until we have it out on display. Merry Chirstmas!
Jami says
Really, Karen? Did your set include the three wise men that all just looked like bigger Joseph’s? 🙂
Mary Ann says
Thank you for having the COURAGE to blog about the Reason for the Season! So many of the “lifestyle” blogs… and I admit it, I love to see their gorgeous house tours and their Christmas decorations… do NOT show one Nativity scene. I treasure the one I have… it was my parent’s, and is now over 100 years old. I’ll pass it along to my oldest son. Yes… every year, from the time I was a child, I couldn’t wait to be allowed to unwrap the figures… to place the sheep and the cow… the donkey and the camel now lost… and to place the figures. Baby Jesus went in last, of course, though he is now minus a lower arm from a mishap when my own children were little. It’s a favorite memory… and though we moved this year… our Nativity scene is set up in the living room, for all my in-law family to see this weekend at our Christmas celebration and my own family, next weekend. I loved seeing yours, Jami!
Jami says
Yes! That’s so much how I view it, too, Mary Ann – such great memories, even the wise man that has the crack in his neck where he needed to be glued back together after little hands tried to hold him tight, just like yours. 🙂 Your set sounds incredible and such a treasure! Have a blessed Christmas season with your families – it sounds too wonderful!