Wallace silverplated sleigh bells and crystal glittery stems are the only ornaments on this year's fresh-cut Noble fir Christmas tree.
Christmas Day is past, but the twelfth day of Christmas, January 5, has not arrived yet which means Christmas festivities and decorations are still part of our winter holiday.
Inspired by Wallace sleigh bells, the fresh-cut Christmas tree is minimally decorated with sleigh bells and crystal stems. Evergreen, without lights and only minimal red touches, the tree will stay up until the weekend of the Twelfth Day of Christmas.
One white angel found a spot on the tree, but not at the usual spot for angels on the top of the tree.
H A N D - C A R V E D
W O O D E N R O C K I N G H O R S E
Empty Christmas boxes plus a set of over-sized gardening tools and a carved wooden rocking horse sit around the rustic wooden box holding the tree. Slowly, the Christmas decorations are being put away.
You are never too old for a rocking horse as a present.
My sister has been collecting rocking horse and carousel horse reproductions all her life. She received this one this Christmas from Santa (sister Santa . . . ,) and it is now the largest one in her collection.
Hand carved with metal rockers, bridle, rein, and saddle, the horse is not meant as a children's toy, but as a decoration only.
The saddle and bridle are inlaid into the wood.
S I L V E R S L E I G H B E L L S
A N D C R Y S T A L S T E M S
Crystal glittery stems and silverplated bells are neutral enough to be winter decorations in addition to being Christmas decorations.
A small bird's nest is another wintry decoration for the tree.
Some of the sleigh bells have French-inspired black and white Joyeux Noël tags attached with red grosgrain ribbons.
Wallace silver company issues an annual sleigh bell each Christmas, beginning in 1971. Each year the design is different.
The oldest one in my collection is from 1972, found recently on eBay. There are sixteen sleigh bells on this year's tree, including two from 1977 and one from the Reed and Baron silver company which also issues annual sleigh bells.
All of the presents have been unwrapped, but there are still days in the Christmas season to enjoy.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
May 2019 bring you and your loved ones
peace, good health, and prosperity.
~~~~❦~~~~
Thank you for reading Botanic Bleu and for making Botanic Bleu a part of your life. Your friendship adds joy to my life.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tree! I love the Wallace bells and especially the awesome wooden horse! I have never heard of celebrating the 12 days of Christmas until the 5th of January. I really like being able to celebrate Christmas a little bit longer. Thank you for sharing your tradition. Wishing you a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Tiffany @ teediddlydee.com
Tiffany,
DeleteThank you so much. While the tree was not as decorated as first planned, I liked how it looked. And, I do love that rocking horse and so glad I was able to get some photos with the tree before my sister received him.
Judith
It's been a long time since I've commented, but I have been a steady reader of your blog for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI love the elegant simplicity of your tree. I've been veering more and more away from the traditional Christmas colors and going towards a palette similar to yours. Plus, evergreens, pinecones and white votive candles stay on my mantle as winter decorations, rather than taken down after the holidays.
You continue to be a great influence for me! :-)
Happy New Year!!
Marilyn (in Dallas)
Marilyn,
DeleteSo nice to hear from you again. Thank you reading. I'm glad you find some things to help you.
Judith
There are those beautiful silver bells of yours, Judith! I adore the simplicity of their presentation. The horse is a very handsome accompaniment to the vignette! Happy New Year, with blessings beyond measure wished for you.
ReplyDeleteJudith, that tree is so beautiful! Everything about it screams elegance! I love that horse! Hope you had a great Christmas! Happy New Year! Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you. School calendars before I retired allowed us to have the week after Christmas to enjoy the season more. Old habits are hard to break. :)
ReplyDeleteJudith
We also celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas, slowly packing away little bits at a time but leaving up our tree, nativity and a few Santas.
ReplyDeleteThe rocking horse is just gorgeous and the few simple wintry ornaments on your tree are so pretty too.
Thanks for sharing at TFT! Happy New Year!
The rocking horse is gorgeous where did you get it Thank you
ReplyDelete