Elves, Clowns and Bears..OH MY!

I have been making our Christmas decorations for over 20 years.  Except for the bows, lights, candy canes and the angel on top all on our tree are handmade.

We have cathedral ceilings so we can have a big 9 footer!

It's even prettier at night all lit up.  I just can't take a straight picture!

Here are my elves on their 4 foot ladder.  I made these about 15 years ago. They are scrambling up the tree with a strand of lights, ornaments and a candy cane.

A close up of one of the handsome little guys.  See Kelly and Glock Mom...Tell your little ones my elves are good....they stay put!

 a blown glass ball made by a friend, some snowmen and a string ball.  The string balls are fun to make.  Blow up a small balloon, wrap it with crochet string, paint it with "stiff Stuff" and let dry.  You can leave them plain or decorate as I did here with a gold poinsettia.

for Glock Mom....Send in the clowns....I have several of these in different colors.

Needlepoint from my sister....I don't do needlepoint. 

 Lots of white, gold and silver doves fly among the branches.

We have sleds...

Gingerbread men...

 Grandson made this one from cinnamon dough last week.  He told his Mom, grandma has white hair and wears white sneakers and always has a plant in her hand!  It smells wonderful!  That's a little wooden rocking horse behind my namesake.

 This is one of the dough ornaments that has lasted about 20 years.  There is only a few of these remaining.

 We have bells with pictures of the grand kids....This little baby will be 19 years old next month.  Where does the time go?...no she's not white headed like me...she has on a santa hat!

 another string ball.  I have them in white, gold, red and silver.

 and we have bears.....

 lots and lots of bears.....

 We started collecting them the year the Marine came home from the hospital.  We have missed a couple of years but have most of them dated since 1996.  The first one from 1995 did not have a date on his foot.

 A Christmas photo of me and Papa Bear about 25 years ago and a little wooden Christmas tree I made.

 A Christmas card holder I made a long time ago...We got our first card today, well maybe I should count Kelly's sweet card as the first she sent with her lovely soap as she did wish us Christmas blessings!  Sorry about the glare.  I so need a new camera.

 Mr and Mrs Frosty.  I made a lot of these for family and friends 10 or so years ago.

 A wooden candy holder I made.  I usually put Hershey Kisses in it but haven't been to the store yet.

 
 Santa's sleigh and one of his reindeer I made some 15 years ago.





 
 and a family of deer....all the kids enjoy taking these apart and putting back together.

 My former daughter in law made this nativity for us years ago.  I put it in the corner of the kitchen counter this year.  Daughter has a friend with a two year old who comes to visit and this is about the only thing out that will break.

 I've either got to retire the candy cane angel or sand her down and repaint her.  She's getting a little dingy in her old age.

 Mr and Mrs Claus were made by a friend 30 years ago.  I am still amazed they have not been broken.  The bears in the center are animated and play Christmas carols.  The photo on the right is one of our granddaughters first visit with Santa.

Hope you enjoyed looking at a few of our decorations.  I just love all the colors and sounds of Christmas in our home!

 It's early but Merry Christmas y'all!