How do you deal with tradition when decorating for Christmas? Or perhaps I should ask how do you balance the need to create something new with the family traditions that have been lovingly created over the years?
Do you see the little bear in the photo above? She is one of a set that my children have placed on the mantel since they were little. My daughter has left the other one for my son to place when he comes home from school. She loves this tradition, and she thinks that he would be hurt to miss the chance of joining in.
Can I tell you a secret? I'm not really all that into the bears. Does that make me sound heartless? I understand that my children enjoyed them while they were growing up, but I thought maybe I could make a few changes this year. Something new. Maybe it was my turn to play dress up the mantel.
Um, no. I've taken the bears off to shoot these pictures, but they will go right back up there before my daughter gets home from school. And there they will stay.
I guess in the end, you never get too old to dress the mantel with teddy bears. Or leave cookies and milk out for Santa. Or whatever it is that you do to make the holiday special. I guess I'll just have to find some other part of the house that is as yet untouched by tradition.
Because when all is said and done, it's the traditions that we carry in our hearts that bind us together. And next year, she will be off at school when I decorate the mantel. But I'll be sure to save the bears for her to put up when she comes home. :)
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Some day the kids will have their own homes and you can wrap the bears and give them to them for their own mantels, and then you really will miss those silly bears.
ReplyDeleteIt is a challenge to preserve the best of the past while not feeling stuck or that things have become a bit stale. We know that time will play a role in the evolution of those traditions, but I've found one of the best ways to capture the best of those moments is to do just what you're doing - taking photos. I also have found I don't need (or want) to break out every holiday decoration (and I've accumulated a lot of special, memory-filled things), but to rotate items from year to year so I don't tire of the sameness each year.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful. Christmas is a lot about traditions, but they have to start somewhere so there's no reason not to start new ones. B : )
ReplyDeleteYour home is gorgeous and your mantel is stunning. I think the older I get the more important it is to me to have all the same traditions and decorations. It just seems to be the right thing to do. Makes me feel like all is well and Christmas is really Christmas. I love your bears and they are so special to your children, what a thrill. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteI go through the same thing here. I love traditions and they are very important to the children. I also like to play with new decor. I finally resorted to a second tree. One in the living room for me to play with and one in the sun room full of the ornaments we have collected over the years.
ReplyDeleteI see you have a button now! I'm so glad to have a little piece of your wonderful room to warm up my side bar!
Christmas Hugs,
Dawn
Yes, traditions are fun and sometimes hard at the same time. You decorations look beautiful (even with the little bears). Have a wonderful holiday season.
ReplyDeleteOh I so understand your dilemma...though my sons are grown and have their own homes (only the 16 year old is home) any changes to tradition are met with great resistance! I have even gotten grief at attempts to change the menu!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like those "tacky" little items that your children loved at Christmas when they were little are the most beautiful decorations of all.
ReplyDeleteKelly
Second Hand Chicks
it's always good to have traditions. i grew up with a lot of them. and you know what you can do? give her the bears to decorate her dorm? *wink wink*
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! We have 30 year old bears and snowmen - if I'd known how 'special' they'd become I'd have been very careful about selecting them! Last year I boxed up some of those precious decorations and gave them to our sone and daughter-in-law, but some had to stay here for our daughter, coming home from university.
ReplyDeleteAnd someday she will have her own mantel, and you can give her the bears! And her own kids can place them carefully.
ReplyDeleteOur girls are 22 and 23, but they still want Dad to read The Night Before Christmas, still want to leave cookies and milk for Santa, still want to find their stockings on Christmas morning.
I was surprised when Annie asked me last month, "Mom, as I too old to give Santa a list?...." But yikes, her toys are more expensive than they used to be!
Keep the bears while you have them. They'll be gone soon enough.
Cass
OOPS... I meant "AM I too old..." not "AS I too old..."
ReplyDeleteOy.
Cass
We have a tradition of gathering all my husband's family on Christmas Day at his grandma's (Mama) house. It's a lovely, expansive space - easily comfortable for 20+ with gift giving, tables of food and lots of good cheer. This year at 95, we're not sure Mama is able to continue hosting. We will sorely miss this fun, family time Mama in her home.
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely inviting room...oh, and yes to anything Doris Day!!!
ReplyDeleteMary...your mantel is gorgeous. Enjoy the teddy's as long as the kids are wanting to put them up. The day will come too soon when they will be drssing their own mantels (and you can pass the teddy's to them).
ReplyDeleteChristmas Blessings!
Gail
I'm having Christmas decorating envy. Your room is lovely. My son is grown, lives 15 hours away and when he comes home for the holidays we still bake cookies for Santa. It's a nice time for the two of us in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteTraditions make the holidays so special, no matter what holiday! Your Christmas mantel is very beautiful and the bears......make it more beautiful! I never had traditions growing up, oh maybe one, being from Holland and living in the states we put one shoe under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. it was filled the next day with goodies. Even the smallest shoe had a surprise in it! No fireplace or stockings....just shoes of 7 children!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, Happy Holidays to you - i've been in hiatus for quite a while. I'm slowly back, hop over if you want to get all caught up.
i have a giveaway...
Your place is GRANDE
ReplyDeleteWarm seasons greetings
ps... just joined as a follower
please do the same for me...thanks yvonne
How gorgeous Mary! I so love your home and the beautiful decor! The bears look just right! Cindy
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to keep the traditions alive. And if all it takes is a couple of little bears dressed in holiday attire, well so be it.
ReplyDeleteEvery year when I go to my husband's folks in Jersey, I always go right to the tree. And then I look for my husband's childhood ornament that he made, with his little schoolboy picture on it. I love that ornament.
And then I drink some Croft's sherry. Yum.
A very sweet post. I Love the Mommy's heart that shows through...
ReplyDeleteYour home is gorgeous and the bears don't hurt it at all, I am sure!
It is our children and the "bears" of this world that turn a house into a home. Enjoy every moment with your kids this holiday.
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that this year, of recent years, I went back to our more "always" kind of decorating when the girls were small, our kids like it to NEVER change!! You are right. It's their tradition, and I try to keep parts of it, while changing other parts. Thanks for the lovely peek into your holiday home.xo Lidy
ReplyDeleteYour room looks so warm and inviting. I love the mirror and star above the mantle. Beautiful. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteGwen
this is so sweet of you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely room and what a lovely mantle. Children like traditions -- I remember the year I thought my DD was too old for the Night Before Christmas bedtime story -- oh, no, we had to read it (as well as the story from Luke) -- it was tradition! (and we still do it!)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy those bears and enjoy the fact that they want to be there at Christmas!