What I love about my holiday home

I love Christmas, its always been a special celebration in our family. It goes back to my English Granny who influenced the way we celebrate Christmas, we don't always, but most years we have a very traditional English Christmas with Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Trifle etc even though it is summer here!

This traditional English influence is also reflected in the way our home is decorated for the holiday season.

So welcome to our family Christmas home way down in little old New Zealand!

Come on in, through the front door displaying my new wreath which you have already seen.

Here we are in the grown up room and hanging on the inside of the front door is a Christmas bell The Princess made at Pre-School.

Our Christmas tree is decorated in a conglomeration of decorations and lights, all hung in a random hap hazard fashion. That's because The Princess was heavily involved in the decorating of the tree and that's what its all about.

Our decorations all have some special meaning, many I bought for the first tree Babes and I had ever had together, some belonged to my Granny, some were brought back from China by Babe's Mum, some are made by The Princess and some are made by Mum, and some have come from the side of the road or thrift shops.

Gracing the top of the tree is this beautiful angel, made by The Princess when she was 3 years old at playgroup .

The glass ballerina is a decoration I bought for The Princess this year. Each year I buy her something special. When she is a big grown up girl and leaves home (many years away I hope) I will give her all her decorations.

Over the years my Mum has made a lot of decorations such as this one,

and this one,

and this one.

Under the tree in a wooden high chair made by Babes Grandad sits a musical reindeer and Santa. They were given to The Princess for her first Christmas.

Also two reindeer that I have never got around to painting!

These are letters The Princess stamped and glittered, not sure what its about but she insisted they go under the tree so under the tree they go!

What Christmas tree wouldn't be complete on Christmas Eve without a little something for Santa. Please note the name on the beer, Stella Artois, Babes drinks this brand because of course our Princess's name is . . . Stella.

You can't forget the reindeer!

I now have my Granny's piano which currently has a pin board above it. I am hanging our Christmas cards on the board and special things like the Christmas tree The Princess made.

This year I decorated the hall stand.

This is also in the grown up room which Babes uses as an office. He is oblivious to the lights everywhere!!!!

This bowl is full of mercury glass balls picked up off the side of the road. Its really only in Bloglandia you can say that with so much pride!

My beautiful Christmas stocking by my swap partner Jess. I have just realised that I haven't hung up Babes or The Princess's stocking!

In the kitchen I have this gorgeous red Poinsettia and my Christmas book at the ready. I love this book and most of my Christmas baking comes from recipes out of it.

The dining room table, the cloth is actually French Provincial fabric in a poppy pattern but it looks really festive. Peony Roses that are in full bloom, given to me by my sister in law, GORGEOUS!!!

The Princess has her own little tree in her room. She decorated it all by herself. Some of the decorations she made especially. The candy canes belonged to my Granny.

Its easy to loose sight of the real reason why we celebrate Christmas and the beautiful traditions behind it. Even if we don't go to church throughout the year Mum and I always try to go on Christmas Eve.

Having children in the house at Christmas time is wonderful, it enables you to live the magic of Christmas all over again through the eyes of a child.

I chose Away in a Manager for my Christmas song as it reminds me of my dear Granny and because The Princess sings it in her beautiful sweet and pure voice.

Nothing is more precious than this, when your baby brings home the very first Christmas card she has ever made for her Mummy and Daddy.

Merry Christmas to all of you kind and wonderful people. Our little family wishes you the happiest and safest Christmas.

Blessings

Thanks Karla for hosting this party. If you havn't already be sure to call by Karla's and visit all the lovely homes she has linked to her blog.