This post is sponsored by James Avery Artisan Jewelry
Hello my lovely friends!
Christmas is in full blown mode now that December is almost here. It sure gets here faster and faster each year, doesn’t it? I’ve decided that my parents were right in that time flies as you get older and when the years creeped by, now the decades are flying by at lightening speed. I still have some fond memories of Christmas growing up though, do you?
How many of you have been an angel in the annual church Christmas play? I know I was an angel a few times. How I remember being in my Daddy’s little church and the children had parts to recite in front of the whole church. I was always sooooo nervous doing that, but it’s so cute when I see the children now up there being kids. There’s nothing like Christmas through a child’s eyes.
The memories are vivid of standing behind the curtain, which was nothing but sheets hung up on wires with safety pins. Oh, those sweet memories of peeking out at the audience who were making their way in the church to see the Christmas program on a Sunday night. It seemed as if we were about to make our big debut and boy, was it scary. We wore angel costumes, which were more white sheets and glittery tinsel on our heads.
Anyone else?
Angels we have heard on high!
How angels play a big part in the Christmas story. The real Christmas story of Jesus’ birth and how the angel came to Mary and Joseph to tell them of His coming birth. Oh Holy Night! Angels are just such a special part of Christmas and the story of our Savior’s birth.
So, it’s no wonder that I chose an angel charm.
Today, I’m partnering with James Avery for A Charmed Christmas. And one of you will win this cute sterling silver angel charm too, so stay tuned.
This charm brings back sweet Christmas memories for me as I think back on my wonderful childhood and what a special time it was. I hope my cute great nieces and Mark’s grandchildren have wonderful memories as well. We were both very fortunate to have great parents who made Christmas special for both of us. Our childhood Christmas’s were not as big and showy as Christmas has become now, but I think we were so blessed to have those sweet memories of by-gone Christmastime.
James Avery is more than just jewelry. I love that James Avery started his Christian jewelry company in 1957 by mail order. It’s a family owned company offering sterling silver, 14K and 18K white and yellow gold jewelry, and gemstones for men and women.
And the artisans that make this beautiful jewelry are located in the Hill Country of Texas. You will see many Christian symbols in James Avery jewelry, so I hope you’ll check them out and see what they have to offer in the way of unique gift items.
Tis the season!
Kathy has been collecting James Avery jewelry for over 30 years. She loves charms but always had a hard time deciding on which ones to get. When her mom passed away, it gave her the perfect opportunity to get the Tree of Life charm which honors her mom’s life. She remembers that her mom always had interesting stories to tell about family members, so that was the perfect keepsake to remember her mother.
What’s your story and favorite memories of Christmas?
That’s such a sweet story and I love that she started an ancestry bracelet that she’s added to over the years.
And she looks forward to passing her charm bracelet on in the future so it can stay in the family for generations to come. I had a silver charm bracelet when I was a teenager and I wish I had kept it and added to it over the years. I don’t even remember what happened to it!
Today, I’m sharing an angel charm with one of you, so one of you will win the same angel charm I have pictured here. All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me:
What’s your favorite Christmas story or memory from your family?
I’ll choose a winner in a week and leave it here on the Rafflecopter. Just fill out the Rafflecopter with your email address, checking that you are leaving a comment and then leave a comment on this post.
I haven’t been great about announcing these winners, but when I do a giveaway, the winner always shows up on the Rafflecopter widget a week later. I always email the winners too, so they know who they are! I can assure you that someone wins!
That’s it! Enjoy browsing at James Avery and see what you find that you might love for yourself or to gift a loved one. This is a great time of year to discover a fun piece of jewelry that will be a wonderful keepsake in the future.
My mother was the oldest of 10 children. My favorite Christmas memory is ALL of us…brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws…gathering at my grandparents’ home for Christmas Dinner. The kitchen counters were loaded with food. Adults sat at the kitchen table, dining room table, and a large “board” table set up on sawhorses in the living room. Children were left to find a place. My favorite memory is eating dinner sitting on the stairs surrounded by cousins up and down the stairs. Such fun!
Sweet memories, Karen!
Rhoda, Thanks for sharing your angel story. I wish you would post a picture of you, as a young angel at your dad’s church! That would make my Christmas merry!
I have many memories of Christmas but the one I love the most included my twin sister. We were born on December 16, so we always have to compete with Christmas and birthday. We were always involved in shenanigans at Christmas because we wanted to meet Santa. One Christmas in our tiny little brick house in East Cobb, my sister and I decided we were going to see Santa no matter what. Early Christmas Eve, after eating our family traditional dinner of spaghetti, salad and garlic bread, Christmas is not Christmas with out that meal, we quickly wanted to go to bed so Santa would come. Dad had put the plastic Santa and reindeer of the rooftop which was a great memory. My twin and I slept in the same room with twin beds, we were only 5 at the time. The Christmas before my grandmother had made us “big dolls” these were dolls she had made that looked like me and my sister, and they were life size. I still have it to this day. After things quieted down in the house we jumped out of bed and put those dolls in the bed and covered them up. Nobody would be able to tell it was not us sleeping :). We then sneaked into the living room (which they had back in the day) and hid behind the curtain. We could clearly see outside and waited patiently for Santa. After about an hour or so my dad left and later came back with a truck load of toys, we could see them outside. Mom and dad began taking them out and assembling when required and putting the gifts under the Christmas tree. Wow, we got a shock, mom and dad were Santa….. So at an early age we found out that Santa was only a concept… that did not ruin our Christmas however! It was a fun remembrance of Christmas past.
I love James Avery! Thanks for partnering with them on this!!
Andrea, I love your Christmas memories. I don’t think we even have any pictures of those Christmas programs at church. We had so few pics back then, but I sure remember it.
My best memory’s of Christmas as a child, is all the special sacrifices both my parents did for us children. I’m the oldest of six and my parents did everything they could to make sure all six of us had the best Christmas. Daddy always worked two jobs and mama would do without so many times. I remember sometimes she had only mabey three dresses to her name. Daddy working so hard to do the best he could. But somehow we always had abundance of love, joy, happiness and four or five gifts a peace at Christmas. We didn’t have a lot of money but my parents gave us all these other wonderful things. That’s what Christmas is all about. And what a wonderful memory! Also the aluminum foil Christmas tree with the four colored turning lights to change the color of the tree. And having old fashion popcorn with Coca-Cola around the tree. Both of my wonderful parents are gone. But what they have passed on to me is what Christmas is really about. Thank you Mama and Daddy…….
A Christmas memory of mine, is always going out to our property and cutting down a tree from the wild. They were never trimmed just allowed to grow as they wanted and always made for one of a kind moment.
My favorite Christmas memory is making ornaments for our tree. My Mother would gather styrofoam balls, fabric, sequins, trim and we would make beautiful ornaments. I still have them and use them on a special tree. Everytime I look at the tree, I’m reminded of sitting around the kitchen table and creating these special ornaments.
Melise, I so remember those type Christmas crafts with the styrofoam balls and sequins. I’ve seen them on many trees over the years. Way before Pinterest days!
My most precious Christmas memory was coming down the stairs in my parent’s Craftsman style home and receiving my first brunette “bubble hair” barbie and armoire and canopy bed!!!! I was five years old and it was 1963!! My brother received a G.I. Joe and army tank and screamed with excitement!!! Little did I realize that my parent’s had sacrificed sooo much to give my brother and I those gifts. My father worked full-time and went to college full-time at night and my Mom stayed home with us and babysat for extra income. My parent’s met while my father was stationed in Germany and my Mother was missing her home country soon much during the holidays. It had been 5 years since she had seen her parents and sister in Munich. My parents used their little nest egg to buy those gifts for us and my Mom had to start over to save for a trip to see her parents. It took 2 more years to save enough and with joy and excitement my brother and I got to meet my grandparents in Germany when I was 7 and my brother 6 years old. I still have my Barbie and the the few hand crocheted outfits my Mom made. These memories are so priceless now as my Father who is 83 has battled bladder cancer and my Mom who is 80 is suffering from dementia. My brother & I thankfully live in the same city and are their caretakers so they can remain in their home. My husband spends every Saturday lovingly caring for his widowed 88 year old Father. One of our son’s lives close by and he and his wife have blessed us with three grandchildren…my parent’s great-grand children. We celebrated yesterday with our grand daughter who turned five years old as she was too excited to receive her very first Barbie. Memories came flooding back of the loving sacrifice my parents made 54 years ago. God Bless You and your Family this Christmas!!!! I pray for your Dad daily as my Dad also suffered with C. Diff after his bladder removal surgery ……and my Mom suffered with shingles 10 years ago….may you be blessed with good health for 2018!!!!
Thank you Deb, for sharing your precious memories of family. Oh, the bubble hair Barbie doll, I still have mine too and a few outfits my mom handmade.
we ask Mom to tell Santa to hide a gift or two. Of course, it was usually hit in the adjacent dining room on a chair seat but it was fun to search for it. We were given much, compared to our less well-off cousins, but we tried not to brag on the presents; we tried to make a big deal of what THEY received. I remember having to adhere to a strict schedule of whose home we were visiting over the Holiday week, or who came to see us that evening..we’d have all of our presents laid out under the tree like a store display. Since it was usually cold and snowy every evening, I didn’t like having to get all coated and booted up to go, but I am happy for the memories of those visits around town.
Visiting family seems to be a tradition at Christmas, it was so much simpler back then.
My favorite Christmas memory is of our Christmas tree. My Mom always had a beautiful tree.
My favorite Christmas memory is when my parents surprised me with a writing desk.
My favorite Christmas memory is staying in my room on Christmas morning until my dad would ring a special bell to let me know it was time to come down for Christmas. I think it was really a way to keep me in bed longer so I didn’t wake them up at 5:00 am, but it’s still a really sweet memory. Also, I feel like this is such a stupid question, but I feel like I’ve confused myself on something. I have been a reader for a couple of years and I think I’ve just assumed that Parker and Iris are your grandbabies. Are they your great nieces? Merry Christmas!
HI, Carrie, they are my great nieces. My sister has one daughter, Lauren, and those girls belong to her, so I feel that they are like my grand children too. I didn’t have any children, so I get to enjoy my great nieces in my family and now Mark’s grandchildren too, so that’s a big bonus for me.
Ok I’ve been so wrong all along! Agh! So sorry. I’m glad I asked!
It’s OK, a lot of people think that I’m sure. I claim them either way!
My Dad was a minister. The first Christmas my husband and I were married, we came home from college and stayed with my parents. On Christmas Eve evening, my Dad received a call from a distraught lady because she had nothing to give her children for Christmas. My Dad took down where she lived and some notes about the children. Of course stores were closed by now. This was 1964 long before everything was open at all times.We got in the car with Daddy along with my mom and set out to see what we could find. We found an all-night drug store. Fortunately, they had a few toys. After purchasing, we set out to find this house because it was in a very unfamiliar area. The lady and her children were already in bed but we finally got her attention. She was so happy that her children would have something for Christmas. I don’t think my Dad ever heard from her again. But I’ve never forgotten the happiness I felt on that special Christmas Eve.
Nancy, I just love your story. What a sweet gesture your dad did for that family and see, you have never forgotten it!
Christmas Eve -my mother’s family and then my mother always went all out on Christmas Eve. My mother died 10 years ago but her spirit lives on in my love of Christmas Eve. It is a magical day and I look forward to it all year. 4 years ago I was home around holiday time and channeled my mother for a “Sue’s Christmas Eve” gathering. My middle child said that it was like Grandma was there herself.
So sweet, PC!
My sister and I were very close in age and very close in our relationship.We believed in Santa and loved waiting and watching for him on Christmas Eve.
I was keeping my nephews, ages 2 and 4, for the weekend. Since it was close to Christmas we took the boys to our local tree farm to pick out the perfect tree. All of a sudden, it began to snow and the boys were so excited. They ran and played and played. When we got back home it was time to decorate the Christmas Tree, but the boys were so tired and could barely keep their eyes open long enough to finish their lunch. So, I told them that once they woke up from their naps we would decorate the tree. While they were sleeping, I was unwrapping each ornament and one by one I ended up decorating the tree before they woke up. I stood back and was admiring my work when I heard the boys waking up. I thought they would be so disappointed to see the tree completely decorated, but their response was priceless. They stopped in their tracks and admired the tree and then they looked at me and said, “Aunt Nancy look! Santa came and decorated the tree while we were sleeping.”
Hey, Nancy, that sounds like so much fun, those boys must have just loved that. It’s fun seeing Christmas through a child’s eyes. Can’t wait to see Parker and Iris this year. Parker is really getting to the age to appreciate all that is Christmas.
I’ve got your friend beat on collecting James Avery! I started back in 1972 when we drove from Virginia to Houston to visit my sister and went to a JA store. Beautiful jewelry! And very special symbolism with my favorite being the sand dollar.
HI, Terry, wow that’s great to hear. I’m just now hearing about James Avery.
My favorite Christmas memories were during the time my Dad was still here and my mom and dad would wake us up Christmas morning. They were so excited to spend the day with us playing and my mom would cook a huge meal and have all of our family and neighbors over.
Love this tradition! I plan to start this so that I have something to pass on to my granddaughter!
My mother made all of our Christmases magical. She decorated the house so beautifully and was a great cook. I remember watching her put on her makeup at her dressing table as she and Daddy got dressed up for the annual Charleston Army Depot Christmas party. She was so glamorous, and in the 50s women dressed so elegantly!
Roxanne, I love that! I can imagine how magical that was.
I got a charm bracelet for Christmas when I was 15, I thought it was dumb at the time….it was 1975. But, I went on a trip to San Francisco and saw a cute cable car charm and an abacus. Now 40 years later I’m on my 2nd bracelet. I buy a charm when I travel, it’s a great keepsake.
I so wish I had kept mine! I was about that age too and had lots of charms.
One of my favorite memories of Christmas also is of being an angel in the primary Christmas play. My church made a big deal out of choosing a 6th grade girl to play the part. Who would be chosen added to the anticipation and build up of the holiday. .it was a sort of right of passage that kids don’t seem to experience these days; they get so much, so soon, and don’t have things to look forward to like we used to. We lived in a suburb of Los Angeles and traveled quite awhile each week to get to church so after church on the day of the program wed stay in the city, have lunch at Clifton cafeteria then go back for the program. Afterwards wed all get a box of candy. What a treat and special night. I doubt most kids today would understand the specialness of that night but it was a nightlight for us
Hey, Carrie, I can totally relate to that. Christmas programs were a big deal back then to us too. We got paper sacks of goodies that the men of the church always put together for the kids. Apples, oranges, and candy were inside. I remember the chocolate creme drops specifically!
Rhoda , I remember those chocolate cream drops too. They were my favorite to get in my stocking. Today I can’t even eat one, they are so sweet!