Thanks to all of you for your kind words. I have so enjoyed looking at everyone's ideas and homes that I was inspired to post my own. I have to say it was such fun taking the pictures and learning about photobucket. I do enjoy the collecting of Christmas stuff but like most of you here on the boards I am budget minded too. When I get some on these gorgeous items on sale after the holidays it makes it that much sweeter. To answer some of your questions: Kathleen li - I love the ironing board Santa in the hall display too. It isn't really an ironing board but a piece of plywood with fabric and paint done to look like Santa. I bought it years ago at a craft fair here in Birmingham, AL for less than $20. The santa portrait is new this year from Kirkland's Home. The have one every year and it is only $59. I got it last week at 25% off. Calicocat1967 - I like the Santa plates. I was fortunate enough to most of them from Fitz and Floyd last year on Christmas day. They put everything on sale and I get their emails telling when. I picked them up for less than $10 each. The covered dish in the kitchen corner cabinet came from Tuesday Morning after Christmas last year. It is a Christopher Radko but I only paid $15 for it on sale. luvstocraft - Thanks for thinking I "belong". I kind of felt like I did and it's nice to point out to hubby "There are others like me. I'm not the only one always picking up dishes or decorations everywhere I go" One of the things I have enjoyed about the board is the comradery. Every when I didn't post I felt apart of the community. I am glad that I came out of lurkdom. I got the angles in the pictures for 25 cents a print years ago and had them framed for less than $10 each. I stole the hanging on a ribbon and dowel idea from a magazine. Very eye catching and costs very little too. phyl345 - I'm glad you enjoyed it. sameboat - Thanks for looking and commenting. melvalena- I hope I didn't create new work for you for next year. I am enjoying changing up things a bit from year to year, so I love the ideas you guys come up with. Hope you have a wonderful holiday with your grandkids. bonniee- Thank you. I enjoyed your post about decorations too. mary ruth - Thanks, I love the Fitz and Floyd too. I got the large santas on top of the refridgerator last year on Christmas day. They are normally $350 each but on their clearance/outlet on their website they were only $89. I know that is still expensive, but I couldn't pass up the chance for something so large and beautiful for that price. I ordered my mom and her sister one for this year's Christmas present. I am so excited to give them to them. They are the chief decorators in the family so I came by it honestly. slinkey - What a nice welcome. Thanks for you praise and I feel like I will be a regular now that I've broken the ice. I do love my home. It is older and I actually came to these boards because we are considering building a new home on a lot we bought so I was researching building and come across this board on a search. But it didn't take me long to go from the Building a House forum to Decorating to Christmas/Holidays. purplemoon - I have loved all of your decorations and posts for the year. I thank you for your comments. The pair of large leaping reindeer are my "pride and joy". This is the first year I have displayed them, getting them last Christmas Day online. They came from Frontgate, which is not a store that I can normally afford. But after Christmas they put all their stuff on sale and mark it down a little more each week. On their website is a section called Outlet. I did not know of it and wanted a large reindeer for my fireplace hearth, so I searched and got a hit on them. The are regularly $199 each and but were on clearance for $59 each. Again a little more than I normally pay for a Christmas decoration, but a great deal on a heavy well made piece. I am pleased with the display. I would be honored to have some of my stuff in the Inspiration Album. Thanks for asking. Does that mean I have "arrived"? Ha-Ha. Feel free to look all you want. prosperity66 - Thanks for your kind words. I am glad others enjoyed it. Thanks again to all of you and I am off to scour the Internet for any clearance deals, but not ever sure where I could possibly put more if I find it. Merry Christmas!

I totally second (or is it third?) 1st dibs -- got some great lighting from them as well as a beautiful 18th c. bureau and two 18th c. semainiers. I also am fond of Vivre -- my all-time favorite coasters I found there. (no longer available, otherwise I'd link them) And I lovelovelove Ruzzetti & Gow for bibelots -- I find lots of gifts (to give) there, as well as at Etsy. I also like Source Perrier (which was already mentioned above), although I think they are reasonably priced. I've been really impressed with the quality of everything I've purchased there. I'm not a big clothes shopper (girlfriends of mine seem to live to go to Neiman's -- pas moi!), but get me going on stuff for the house and I'm in danger. Ouch!

The williamsburg catalog features a wrought iron wreath hanger that has a row of round circles at the bottom that hold apples or oranges (which are sort of splayed out on the top edge of the wreath as hung) and they make it look like you've created a W'burg original! I gave these to all the women in our family one year who like to decorate with real materials. We lived in Florida at the time and fruit on the front door was just an invitation to pests, but now that we're in a colder climate ... thanks for jogging my memory.

It pays to check in on this thread often because there are so many beautiful things I want to comment on but I get so sidetracked when I look at th enext response! You all do great decorating! I have to say though that everytime I see the picture of Whitdobe's dog I get the biggest smile on my face! Jim - fabulous, fabulous, fabulous! JudithinVa - feels like it's been awhile since I've seen you post. Very beautiful. I love the white tree w/ pink ornaments. I just bought a pink tree for DD's room today but seeing your tree I wish I'd maybe have gotten the white one for her room. Her room is white w/ pale pink, grey and a hint of deep berry in her duvet. Hmmmmm.... What to do?! Here is the banner that I made. I made one for my Sister but I used scrapbook paper instead of old newspaper laying around. Hers is shades of pink, red and greens. Some argyle letters, stripes, floral prints, a damask and a circle pattern. Each letter also outlined in red. Her letters are of heavier weight paper so they haven't curled up like mine. I used scraps to make the holly berries & leaves w/ thumbtacks glued on to the backs. No pics of hers yet. Camera battery died and I can't find my charger.