Thursday, November 2, 2017

PURGING FOR CHRISTMAS---SANTAS & SANTAS & SANTAS-OH MY!

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
I KNOW!
Thanksgiving isn't over yet
and here I am posting
a picture of Santa!
Why?
Well, I have been sorting.
I have been sorting through 40
years of 
COLLECTING CHRISTMAS

Whew!
I've been purging.
and giving
some things away
to my kids/grandkids.

It is time.

Here is one counter in our
media room that is full
of my Santa collection.
(I won't tell you that I kept
about 10 of them in another room)
But these were up for 
ADOPTION.
There's more!
And yet more...
These candles belonged
to Gramma Betty in
the 1950's.
And these?
Salt & Pepper shakers
from my childhood.
Is there more?
You bet'cha!
Lots More!
Did you notice I didn't
watermark the picture below?
I hope if it ever gets
"out there"
no one will know it belongs to me.
So....they can have my 
SANTAS
and the ornaments on the
other table that you don't see here..
BUT
they can't have my
Lang Ornament Storage Box-
THAT BELONGS TO ME!

All these Santas found 
NEW HOMES
with my four kids' families.

They are to the point where they 
are saying...
NO MORE, MOM!!!!

Sigh---Etsy--here I come---
I will have
Christmas in my Etsy shop
A Cottage On The Cove
VERY SOON!

And, I am happy to say I 
finally figured out how to put a header on 
My Shop!

Not bad for an old broad, huh?

Happy Thursday!!
your photo name

43 comments:

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Diana, don't feel so bad. I have a huge closet that has been designated a "Christmas Closet!" But by having a Christmas Closet, I can justify buying more stuff as long as I can get it in there! Right? I have a hard time letting go of my collections so I'm proud of you. Good job! Glad you figured out the header. I haven't even tried!!!
hugs,
Sissie

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I need to seriously purge Xmas crap too. I don't even put up a tree anymore but I have a gazillion ornaments.

Sylvia said...

You do have a large collection of santa's.. I gave mine away to my kids over the last two years.
Now anytime one of them says they love something, I just say 'you want it?, it's yours'!

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

I have been doing that for a few years. My children have what they want so my memories are going to Good Will and hopefully, somebody will use and enjoy them.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I used to collect Santa ornaments. I wanted to get enough to do a Santa tree. Never made it that far and slowly purged my Santas. After moving so many times, my Christmas stuff still is in about 6 huge plastic storage boxes, lol.

Launna said...

Wow Diana... I used to have a great deal of Christmas items but because I live in apartments I've been forced to downsize over the years. I have one Christmas storage box and my fake prelit tree♡♡♡

Good luck with all your sales xox

Connie in Hartwood said...

I feel your pain. There was a time when I decorated the house, inside and outside, and had two fully decked-out Christmas trees. Now, I like it simpler, and the excess Christmas stuff is starting to weigh me down. I doubt that this year is the year to purge, but I reserve the right to change my mind.

HIBISCUS HOUSE said...

I like all of your Santas and the sentimental ones I love! You have given me the incentive to go through and give mine to the children too! I will be copying you Diana! xoxo Dolly

HIBISCUS HOUSE said...

P.S. Your shop header looks Great!

Kathy said...

I have tons of Christmas stuff too. I usually can't find all of it at the same time, so each year my house looks different. You are good to get rid of so much.

Cecilia said...

Oh haha, and I thought I had a big collection. Nope. Not even close! Love the box...I'd keep it too! Some day I'm going to be doing illustrations like that!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I can't wait to see what shows up in your shop. I just went and looked AGAIN....love the sewing notions and Barbie patterns. More favs for me! Hugs!

Gayla said...

Good work! I also need to purge nearly every collectible imaginable!

Lori said...

I have been purging holiday decorations for a couple years now. I just got my Halloween stuff down to one tub. Christmas about four! I am trying to store less in the attic too. So, the garage is getting a clear out too. Feels great!

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

I need to get some of your "purging energy", do you have any to spare...lol!

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

Good for you Diana (for purging and figuring out your header)!

I’m down to bare bones stuff for Christmas decor. We haven’t decorated in years and this year will be even worse since we are an rv.

xxx

Chatty Crone said...

And I thought I had a lot of Santa's - this is funny - I have the same candles with the Santa's on them that you do!

Down On The Farm said...

Oh my goodness!!! But isn't it AWESOME to get rid of stuff that's just, well, "stuff." It's freeing!!!!! Blessings from Missouri dear friend!

Miss Kitty said...

I am on the "downsizing" side of life too! I know your Santas will find happy new homes. That is funny that your kids said "no more!). I am down to one warehouse space for all the things of my (recently deceased ) parents left on this earth. No one in the family wants it but we don't know what to do with some of their "treasures". Maybe with time it will be easier to "let it go". I don't want to do this to my kids.

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Diana, your Santa decoration looks like mine. You really had a wonderful collection of Santa's. I also used to collect Santa's and made some, but that's over 10 years ago. They were fun, fired the head, put hair on them and made their clothes.

This year I am going to give away a lot of things when I dig out my stuff. I am only putting up one tree (we'll see) and changing things around a bit.

Enjoy your weekend. We finally have Fall here in So CA yea yea yea.....

Hugs,
Mary

Sally said...

Yowza! That's a lot of Christmas, and so pretty! :)

xoxo

Sally said...

Yes, your new header looks wonderful. You are a woman of many talents.

xoxo

Janice Kay Schaub said...

Well at least yours is neatly organized my stuff all got thrown in randomly when Gabby moved in and I had to clear the closets downstairs for them to move into. I have stuff away last year. Alas none will see the light of day this year now its all packed in a spot that is now not at all convenient to get to............should I buy more? Husband says no...........hmmmmmm

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I am laughing because of the no more Mom!! My daughters say the same thing. I've given them things and now what's left I either keep, sell or donate. I still love to decorate but not in quite the extravagant way I use too. BUT, of course I'll check out your Christmas sales cause you just never know what I might have to have! Hugs.

krishna said...

Wow!! all beautiful Santa.. I love those candles most.. they are so adorable..

Pom Pom said...

That's a lot of Santas! They're cute!
I am gong to purge Christmas, too. I have too many do dads.

Wild Oak Designs said...

I would've bought the salt and pepper...so adorable!
Good job thinning out....it's hard
I should be doing that...but alas...I have lots of excuses!LOL
You are moving...so it makes sense....
Hugs.
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

Wow!!!! That's a lot of cuteness!! My mom had the candles! I know she still probably has a lot of this stuff stored away. She has dementia so she stopped decorating years ago. I keep thinking of going through her stuff but then it would have to come to MY house lol and I have no room!!

Susie said...

Diana, I know that some things mean the world to you. I have collections also. I don't think my girls get as attached as I do to things. I have loved seeing your santas out on display throughout Christmas. I hope your children kept your favorites. Blessings to all of you. love you, xoxo, Susie

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

My favorite is your Gramma Betty's candles! Did you keep those I hope! I need to purge myself, I have mine, my Mom's and my Grandmothers Christmas. Oh that basement.....yikes!

Brenda Pruitt said...

I have purged and purged. Then I let my guard down and bring stuff in. And start over again. I have never put a watermark on a photo. I know they can Photoshop it if they really want it.
Brenda

Anonymous said...

I don't envy you the job of finding homes for your Christmas items. Mother had decorations for 8 trees at one time. We no longer put up a tree, since Mother passed away - no visitors here during Christmas any longer.

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

When I saw those cute Santa candles I ran to the box of Christmas things I am taking to my booth tomorrow and pulled them out! 1950's?? Mine are still in their original wrapped box. I had $4 on them for the booth. Nope! Going to Etsy. Too bad we didn't live closer or we could have a "whose got the most Santas" show off! I used to put mine out every year but no more. Doesn't mean I am ready to get rid of them though :-)

Vee said...

Exactly what my kids say to me, “Thanks, Mom, but no thanks.” I would have trouble getting rid of Grandma Betty’s candlesticks. And that is why I am running a museum over here. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Hey sweet woman. You are busy as usual. All of that sorting does take time and can be exhausting. It's amazing how much we collect "stuff" over the years. I hope all is well with you. have a lovely weekend. xo

This N That said...

It's a good thing that you have a big family ;) Glad that you have an Etsy shop....Good grief !!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Oh, It's so easy to collect, but so hard to down-size! My kids won't take my stuff anymore, either. Looks like you have some cute things! xx

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

You rock, girlfriend.

Happy purging!! ♥♥♥

Pam said...

HAHA...I gave things away last yr. My daughter got some and my nieces got other stuff. I just had way too much and some things I just did not have the room for anymore. My stuff always (no matter what it is) out grows my spaces!

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh my, look at all those Santas! I love the little salt and pepper shakers from your childhood. I bet your kids were glad to get a few goodies from you.

And thanks for the reminder to change the clocks. With everything that's going on around here, I forgot. : )

love, ~Sheri

Carla from The River said...

So much fun. I will be starting my Christmas shopping this week. :-)
I am having fun looking at your Etsy shop, so many fun items.
Love, Carla

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Oh, those Santa candle sticks... my mom had a pair and seeing them brought back sweet memories. Hope your shops does really well!

Kim said...

We had those candles!! We also had elves and snowmen. I loved them. Fun memories!