Reinventing Christmas Cheer
Last weekend, we brought up most of the Christmas decorations from the basement .. Knowing the next few weekends would be swallowed up by prior commitments. It felt good to get a head start, but there’s one holiday tradition we’re reimagining this year .. Our towering 14.5-foot Christmas tree.
For years, this grand centerpiece stood proudly in our front foyer .. But due to irreparable light failure, it’s sitting out this season. Not all was lost, though. I managed to salvage the 7-foot top section of the tree, which now stands next to the inside of the front door, offering a cozy, scaled-down version of its former glory.
Where the original tree once stood .. We’ve crafted a fresh display: three smaller trees, each in a single color theme .. Red, white, and green. Nestled among them are three colored glass gift decorations, lovingly made by a close cousin many years ago. These glowing treasures add a personal touch, shining like little reminders of family warmth during the holidays.
The final touch we’re debating .. Is whether to include our life-sized Santa. He’s a hefty presence and feels like a statement piece .. But not everyone is a fan. Our newest family member, Mr. Huxley, has strong (and vocal!) opinions. The decorations have been a source of growling and barking fits for days, but today might mark a turning point. Huxley seems to be waving a little white flag, opting to ignore the festive chaos instead of challenging it.
While it’s bittersweet to let go of our beloved giant tree .. This new arrangement feels like a refreshing twist .. traditional yet unique, warm yet unexpected. It’s a reminder that sometimes, holiday magic lies in the creativity we bring to what we already have.
As for Santa? Well, Huxley’s vote is clear, but the jury’s still out.
New Silver Addition
The silver Peace Dollar collection continues to grow! My latest acquisition, a 1927-S coin, arrived just a few days ago, and I couldn’t be more pleased with it. Like the others in my collection, this one is lightly circulated but still in excellent condition. The strike is crisp, the wear minimal, and it has just enough character to tell its story.
I’ve never sought out mint state coins for this collection .. Rather my goal is simply to enjoy the process of completing it. A few light scratches or signs of wear only add to the charm, in my opinion. This piece even features a touch of toning around the edges of the obverse side, giving it that subtle golden hue that some collectors often admire.
As always, Huxley was right there for the action. While I was photographing the coin by the window, he decided to lend a paw .. Or rather, a nose. The setup included a sentimental favorite: an old Santa decoration gifted by a close friend who has since passed away. Each year, we bring Santa out for display next to a small decorative tree, and it always sparks fond memories of our friend.
Huxley, ever the curious observer .. Sniffed the Santa before turning his attention to the Peace Dollar. I set him on the table for a quick pose, and for a fleeting moment, he held still—long enough for me to snap a shot. Then he leaned in, giving the silver coin an inquisitive sniff, as if offering his approval for its place in the collection.
This coin isn’t just another addition to my set; it’s part of a story. From its light wear to the memories it now shares with Huxley and our cherished Santa, it’s a perfect reminder that collecting isn’t just about the objects themselves—it’s about the moments they create along the way.
Thank you for swinging by my blog and checking out the post. Have a great day!
All words, pictures and art pieces are the sole property of B D Miller Gallery, unless otherwise noted and credited, and are not to be reproduced or copied without the prior written consent of B D Miller Gallery.
Well done with the Christmas decorating. I think this Huxley will get the hang of Christmas, it just takes a little more time for some.
Thanks!
I agree. Time will tell. Huxley has sooooo many things on his young mind these days. lol
At least he didn't object to the last Santa... I couldn't imagine decorating so many trees! But I sure do love seeing all yours! I start my single big one today...
LOL.. He has a hard time refraining from chewing at their feet. I pulled a berry out of his mouth yesterday.. he didn't like the flocked berries so much. "cough cough cough.. yack yack .. bad Huxley!" lol 😆
LOL That's a puppy for ya...
You can never have enough of Christmas trees to celebrate the season! I have decorated two of them, and now, three more to go!
Oh Huxley... you are adorable!
I love how you ended this article:
Have a wonderful week, @bdmillergallery !
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No you can't. We have roughly 12 or so. Some of the smaller ones get wrapped up decorated, so no need to deco them year after year. just need dusting. lol. Huxley is so stinkin cute. Those eyes get me every dang time.
I think as I have gotten older (and wiser) I can appreciate the 'Moments' more and more. I also know very well that your collection has a lot of stories too. Not all for public reading, and that's okay.. they are special to you. I figured you would be the one who would appreciate that part of the post.
Have a nice Friday and weekend too!
My deep connection to my silver pieces, especially the hand-poured ones, stems from the uniqueness that each holds, @bdmillergallery !
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Very nice. I think I would be a bit freaked out by the life sized santa as well. Especially if I was wandering around the house at night! I also had some light issues this year. I am hoping to get them resolved tonight when I get home. It's not too bad because I wanted to switch the incandescents over to LEDs anyway!
LED is definitely the way to go. Next big tree will be LED for sure.
That big santa was given to my wife by her father a few years ago. I like it but it is a little big. Hope you fixed those light issues!
Aes, that sweet about the Santa. It would still freak me out though! I got the lights all set last night. Just one more thing to get sorted.
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It has been many years since I have seen Christmas decorations that weren't simply some obligatory thing in a shopping mall to try, thankfully in vain for the most part, to encourage Asians to get on the consumerist bandwagon like the west.
I do kind of miss it sometimes, well certain aspects of it like family and apple cider and big meals and what not. The rest of it is something that I was more than happy to leave in my rearview.
Love the doggo sniffing the coin... what is that?
That's a peace dollar. I started a collection a loooooong time ago and most recently, in the past few years, I have felt the urge to complete the set. No clue why but I find it fun. I suppose I have the means to do it now where in the past things were much tighter.
We enjoy Christmas but not the commercialization of it all. I miss walking around and finding a real Christmas tree on a farm. We have all artificial ones now. That part I miss. We have an open house every Christmas Eve. You are always welcome. It would be a long flight, but Nadi is also welcome!!!
thanks for the invite.. haha. I'm done with flying for a while now. The 30+ hour flights I have had in the past month made my gastank well and truly empty as far as desire to travel is concerned.
Hahaha. I don't blame ya. Yeah way too long to be in the air. Bring back the concord!!! 😆