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A Few Christmas Memories and a Special Treasure...


I love this old (over 50 Christmases ago now) photo of my sister and I (I'm on the right) with Santa!  My parents always made the holidays so fun for us...I remember my father decorating~ putting up our trees with colorful lights and ornaments, tinsel, and OH... the bubble lights!  How they fascinated me!  Dad always enjoyed decorating the outdoors~ he would put foil on the front door with a big red bow and greens we cut ourselves, and transform the column poles in front of the house into candy canes.  Our window panes were lit and decoratively sprayed with snow spray and stencils~ we lived in the south for some of my childhood, but you'd never know it by looking at our windows...I can still remember the scent of spray snow!



My most special gifts were handmade by my parents~ Barbie and troll clothes, a dollhouse and big doll furniture, and a fun toy box with Dad's hand painted characters from the Sunday Comics...
My mom did crafts with us and had fun art supplies~magical glitters, stars, and construction paper for cards, trees, and chains, and I remember making lots of special cookies~ especially cut-out frosted sugar cookies with sprinkles (dad did the spritz).  She made a VERY special apron for cookie baking- an appliqued and embroidered Santa face with a big pompom.  My sister and I spent many fun hours using it like a mask and pretending to be Santa.  Over the years, and many moves later (my father was in the Air Force for over 20 years) the Santa apron was sadly misplaced.
Two brothers arrived when I was older, and Christmases became even more fun watching them through little ones eyes.  We took many snowy evening drives to see Christmas lights, and played Christmas music on the stereo!   Here's a photo of the four of us... you might remember the furry hats in the late 60's...I LOVED that white hat!  Around this period of time my father was gone for a year in Vietnam~ a hard time for my family...


One day several years ago, I received an unexpected package in the mail from my mother...it was THE Santa apron!!  She had found it, quite by accident, in a storage barrel out in the garage!  She worked hard to clean it up and gave it a new fluffy white pom pom!  I had wished for it for so many years!  Needless to say, it reduced me to a blubbering girl, and is my Christmas treasure today!  It takes me right back to being a young girl again...



I think the things I do for Christmas today are directly influenced by my childhood memories...I love to have the outside of our home decorated!  For the last 38 Christmases, my dear husband has decorated every year (and I know it's not his favorite thing to do).  It has been a gift of love to me, our children, and now grandchildren, and I am so grateful for it!  Thank you sweetie...XO


And to my sweet parents...I know many miles separate us this Christmas, but we are with you in spirit...thank you both for so many wonderful Christmas memories, for always being there, and for being the best parents a girl could have!  I love you both!  Merry Christmas!



Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas with those you love, as we celebrate our Savior's birth... I hope you make some of your own memories this year!

Until next time...I'll be baking cookies and wrapping presents...the kids and grandkids are coming Christmas Eve and I am so grateful they'll all be here!  I'll be back to posting after Christmas!  A big XO to you all!  Merry Christmas!

I am linking to~

My Cottage Charm's Treasures and Trinkets Thursday
and
Common Ground's Vintage Inspiration Friday

Linda

50 comments

  1. I am so happy that your favorite apron was found after all that time. I'm tearing up just thinking about it! Have a wonderful Christmas!

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  2. Ok, my eyes filled with tears when you told us she found it! What a sweet, sweet story. You are so blessed. Merry Christmas my friend! Enjoy your family.

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  3. Oh Linda...where to begin? I began reading this post, and said to myself..YES...the hat....the peter pan collars, the snow on windows...yes..yes..yes....I am a child of the 60's too. I remember the excitement of my childhood Christmas' created by my wonderful parents!!!! Then...me and my brothers, some 6 yrs after me, we had another little brother, and Christmas was magic again...for him!!! That apron...Oh my! I cried at the sheer happiness of you receiving it this Christmas. And I smiled at the thoughts of your Mama finding it, then adding a fresh white pom to Santa! And lastly, my thoughts to you...how very lucky you are to still have your parents living, and healthy.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours. I shall be doing all of those magical things with my grown kids and grands this year as well. And today...we bake!!! Thank you for this wonderful post, and walk down memory lane, both with you, and remembering my own too.
    Be blessed!
    Kris

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  4. Linda,
    Your post today is such a great one...full of love and memories!
    Enjoy your family visit this holiday season.
    Merry Christmas!
    Hugs, Sharon

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  5. Oh, that must have been so special to have the apron reappear!
    Yes, the fluffy hats and memories of Christmases in the 60's. It all seemed so special and magic then. It was such a shock when I became an adult and realized that Christmas memories for my son wouldn't happen unless I created it. Fortunately I was motivated to make it happen.
    Thanks so much for sharing those photos, They are truly classic!
    I remember sewing the troll clothes and all of the creative projects we had going. it was the best gift my mother gave us- Making stuff!
    Best of holiday magic to you, you just brought some to me.
    xoxo Kim

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  6. Oh Linda, I adore your Santa apron...such love in all those stitches! :) I treasure the things that were mine when I was little too..I think mom has pretty much given me everything now. I have the nativity scene she bought when I was just three (might blog on it...of course it's getting late now), I have a pr of little socks that were mine and a little green dress. (the one on the miniature dummy...not sure if you read that post or not). Anyway, all that stuff is very special huh...kinda like our gingerbread tradition. Those are the things I want my kids to remember. :)
    Love ya and hope you have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!
    Hugs
    Missy

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  7. I remember the bubble lights, the silver trees, and handmade gifts. And I loved those furry hats (mom probably still has them in her closet

    I'm so glad the special apron was found and sent to you! Thanks for sharing this lovely story.

    Have a Merry Christmas!

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  8. Well, I'm just blubbering too! I'm so glad you got that apron after all this time. You can tell we're pretty much the same age, I had one of those "lovely" fur hats too but had totally forgotten about them. Thanks for reminding me. We didn't have the bubble lights but my grandparents did and I loved to watch them too.
    You've brought back so many great memories for me. Thank you! Have a great Christmas!

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  9. Dear Linda;
    Thank You for Sharing your Childhood Christmas Memories.I am still crying over your Mom finding the Santa Apron!What Cherished Memories to Pass down!
    Merry Christmas Friend!
    Hugs
    Jill

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  10. Oh Linda, how I love these family photos and memories.

    Enjoy your holiday sweet one.

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  11. As a child of the sixties I want to thank you for taking me down memory lane...I had a white fur hat exactly like yours!!! Bless your parents for giving you such beautiful memories...

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  12. What a sweet post! I am still smiling over your mama finding that apron!! Such a treasure for you! I have a wreath made of ornaments from my childhood that is so special to me. Being a child of the 50s and 60s I was right there with you...I loved those hats!
    How special to still have your parents and to get to spend Christmas with your grandbabies. Have a wonderful, blessed time with them. Vicki

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  13. What a sweet post! I sold an apron like that in my antique space many years ago...I thought it was so cute. Merry Christmas!!

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  14. This is such a lovely post LInda! I enjoyed seeing the vintage photos of you and your sister. How wonderful that your Mom found the apron for you, I would have cried as soon as I saw it! Childhood memories of Christmas are the best, and to be able to share them with the loved ones in our lives now, is so special. Enjoy your lovely home, decorations and family this beautiful holiday.

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  15. What a beautiful Christmas post! How fortunate you are to still have both parents. I had forgotten, but I had a very similar white hat! And I loved it too! Thank you for sharing the wonderful pictures and memories!

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  16. What a beautiful post, Linda. This brought tears to my eyes. That apron must have been such a surprise to see--just think, it was waiting for you all these years. From your shared memories, it's no wonder where you have received your creativity and talent. Merry Christmas, Victoria

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  17. Beautiful Christmas memories you have Linda. I really enjoyed reading this post. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.

    Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas.

    Gail

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  18. what an awesome post, it's great that you have such fond memories from your childhood and that you appreciated all the hand made gifts your parents gave you.

    Happy Holidays Linda, may your holidays be filled with blessings.

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  19. What a special post...I had tears and goosebumps reading it! Have a very, very merry Christmas. Enjoy every minute! Laurel

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  20. How wonderful that your mom found the apron:) I do remember the furry hats from the 60's I had one and had forgotten about it until I read your post...thanks for the memory. Have a wonderful Christmas and great New Year!

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  21. Linda, Your post is bringing up SO many memories for me!!! I had a fur hat EXACTLY like the one in your picture and I LOVED it!!! And where, oh where are my troll clothes?? You have such a nice family. I hope your Christmas is full of joy! Linda

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  22. Such a lovely Christmas rememberance Linda...fun to see those photos (I covet that fluffy hat). As an apron lover, so happy to hear that story and know that you have such a treasure back in your life:)

    A very merry Christmas to you
    and your family!

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  23. What a wonderful post, Linda! The Santa apron is so neat! Bet you thought you would never see it again! And I love the photos of you and your sister, those gingham dresses are so cute! And yes, I remember those big fuzzy hats! I bet they will become popular again some day! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas!!

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  24. Oh Linda, what a special gift from your Mom; loved your post.
    Have a blessed Christmas making memories with the family!

    Jan

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  25. That apron - it is fabulous! So sweet and so full of memories. What a beautiful post.

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  26. First thing I saw when looking at your blog was that furry hat. I was in college in the late 60s in Flagstaff, Arizona and one of the first things I bought when I got on campus was one of those hats. I loved it and it kept my ears so warm walking to class in the snow.

    Now for the rest of the post. What wonderful memories you shared. I remember many of those special gifts my mother made for my sister and I. I still have a few of the doll clothes but wish I had them all.

    I'm hoping my famiy will have those same memories as I have made many of the gifts they will receive this year. I enjoy picking out just that special one of a kind gift for family members.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  27. I sit here with tears in my eyes because you have your treasured apron once again! :) What an absolutely perfect post this is, and a beautiful tribute to your parents. You are very, very blessed! :) May your Christmas be merry and bright, my friend!

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  28. What wonderful memories, thank you for sharing them with us. I'm so glad you got the Santa apron and hats off to such a wonderful hubby that will smile while he climbs the ladder to decorate!

    Merry Christmas!
    Catlyn

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  29. Linda what a perfect Christmas post. I love the old pictures and then the current one of your sweet parents. You brought many memories back to me. The year my mother sewed a flannel nightgown for me - I felt like a princess. My dad loved to wrap the presents he gave in newspaper or the "funny papers". And the fur hat! Who didn't have one of those if they lived in cold weather!?! Linda I hope you have a memorable Christmas and thanks for welcoming me into your world this year through your beautiful blog. Ann

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  30. Hi Linda, Thanks so much for sharing your sweet Christmas memories!! Sounds like your parents made your Holidays very special as did mine! Your house looks great and I pray that you and your family have a blessed, safe and very Happy Holiday season!! Looking forward to a new year full of great blogging and junking adventures!! Hugs, Julie

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  31. Linda,
    This was a great post!
    I was curious, are those icicles on your garage real or decorations??
    Lisa

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  32. Linda,
    This is the sweetest post!! I love everything about it...the pictures, the memories, the apron!!!
    Have a wonderful Christmas with your family!
    Jane

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  33. Oh wow, Linda--I love this all!!! And the apron is beyond precious!!! What a wonderful family!!!
    Biggest Christmas wishes to you and your family!!!
    XO

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  34. Hi Linda...that is so very touching. What wonderful memories to have. I adore the apron, but I really love the photos, they are classic and beautiful! Merry Christmas! Debbie xxx000

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  35. So glad your mom found that apron. I so remember those furry hats..wish I had mine!
    Merry Christmas!!

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  36. I had one of those hats, too. Love the hat.
    It must be so wonderful to have received that apron!
    Happy holiday.
    Michele

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  37. Lovely memories. Wishing you and yours a very Merry and blessed Christmas.

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  38. Linda...
    A wonderful post...
    I think I had tha same fuzzy hat with the pom-pom ties!...Loved it!
    Love your photos of your parents...such a gift to have had such a beautiful childhood.
    Love to you and your family this Christmas...
    Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  39. Linda, How wonderful that your mom found the apron and sent it to you. This is such a sweet story.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family.
    Sherry

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  40. Your Santa apron is adorable Linda...as is your story! Merry Christmas to you and your family! ~Deb~

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  41. Such a lovely post. Love the vintage pictures! Merry Chrustmas!

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  42. Your little santa is adorable. What a great item to have holding such great memories.

    Wishing you a Holly Jolly Christmas

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  43. Dear Linda~ I am wishing you and your lovely family a blessed Christmas!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  44. Linda,
    I think I already wrote on here...but what a great post. My mom made the spritz, too. Never could get that down. I thank you for your support and someday we will meet in person. We had a nice time, thanks to good friends. What would we do without them? That could be me in some of those pictures!
    Big hugs,
    Suz

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  45. That apron is such a treasure! Glad it was found. We must be about the same age since your memories are my memories too. That spray snow was a big hit in sunny central California! Hope your Christmas was as wonderful as mine. Mimi

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  46. Hi Linda, Thank You for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed your holiday. We too are ne of your newest followers and are glad to follow. Have a good evening.........Julian

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  47. I love your photos. And that apron! My goodness..I can only imagine how you felt when you opened the package and saw it again..all the memories! What a special gift!

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  48. I LOVE the Santa apron!!!!!!!!! It is truly a treasure! I would have cried too after wanting it for years & memories... thinking it was gone & THEN MAGIC!!! Enjoy that giddy feeling everytime you see it.

    Now, about these lights on the tree... what are you going to do about yours? I got one comment that said she spent 3 days restringing her tree. She said BUY A NEW ONE! Oh my goodness I don't know!!! I love all of you Christmas photos you shared with us through the season. HUGS!
    Charlene

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  49. What a truly wonderful Christmas post - and oh my, the bubble lights!!!! They used to mesmerize me!!

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  50. Linda, this was such a wonderful post. I would have been blubbering too when the apron arrived. You really made us feel like we knew how Christmas was during your childhood. I had one of those hats, too! This is an awesome read and I hope you will link to it each year so we can reread it! I also am influenced by my childhood on how I decorate, etc. Parts of this I could have written. xo Dianne

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