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.
Cathe Bowers says
I come from a large family. Not only did my immediate family gather for Christmas but, we also gathered with the extended family. It was so fun to sit and listen to the adults share stories of their past. The youngest reader was always chosen to read the Christmas story aloud. My little niece was so intent and full of expression as she read. She mispronounced Mary, his “espoused” wife and said “exposed” wife. We tired so hard to keep our giggles in so she wouldn’t be embarrassed. I love that part of our gathering and the fact that we sing Christmas carols together. I have to say we sound pretty good.
KAY BLAAUW says
I remember when my oldest son got a blue car to ride outside from his grandparents. He was 3 years old. It was sweet to see him ride around even though it was cold outside.
Grand Pam says
My two brothers had discovered my Dad’s workshop in the neighbor’s basement and just had to share it with me. He had made a small half table. I just knew it would be a piano for my Christmas. On Christmas morning I found a darling little dressing table covered in blue quilted satin with little stool to match. It was beautiful yet I mourned for that piano. So funny thinking my Dad could make piano keys.
Rhoda says
Aww, that’s so sweet Pam, you really wanted that piano. Hope you got a real one eventually! We grew up with a piano in our house and my sister and I both took lessons. I cannot play now though.
Sharon Roberts says
Christmas at our house was pretty simple and bare bones. My parents were just not into holidays or celebrating. What I most enjoyed was unpacking the ornaments, some of of which came from my Aunt June and Uncle Bob, who worked at Burdines, the local department store. I loved the shiny colors on the thin glass. I still miss the manger, which came from the dime store, but was so beautiful, a small white church, and the little choir boy and angel candles. Even though I don’t have them today, my memory of them is still so clear.
Sandy A says
My memories of Christmas is our Mom baking Krumkakes, lots of Norwegian cookies, and our favorite cut outs for days and days it seemed. Our home was warm and smelled so delicious. We couldn’t wait for Christmas Eve when our Gramma and Tante would come to spend the night, and our traditional meal of spare ribs, mashed potatoes, lutefisk and lefse and a table full of goodness! Our Dad would have Christmas music playing and life was so simple but filled with love. I feel so blessed to have such sweet and happy times to keep in my heart…
Shanna says
My favorite Christmas memories are going to bed super early xmas eve and waking up at 3:30/ 4 am and rushing downstairs to open presents, we would make a hot mess trying to assemble the barbie dream house and stickers everywhere on the barbie car. I’ll always remember the Cher doll with her long hair and crazy outfits.
Mary L says
Memories of my sweet grandmother in her kitchen baking up a storm with the smells of cinnamon and nutmeg in the air. She had a huge kitchen with an old wood burning stove, she also had an electric stove but swore that the biscuits would simply not taste as good baked in the electric stove. She taught me so many valuable life lessons as I followed her every foot step. I still miss her.
Maureen says
I do not know if I have one that stands out over others. I am just enjoying remembering a number of them with such happiness. It was always love and enjoyment of having all my siblings (of which there are 7 of us) and my parents and then of course in laws and the grandchildren when they came along together.
This year I think I am thinking of them because it has been less than two months since I lost my father.
Jan Sullivan says
We started the tradition of giving charm bracelets with my daughter when she was eleven. James Avery was the place to get the charms with special meaning. We have continued the tradition with two granddaughters and they are always excited to get the new charms. We have one more granddaughter, but she is only three, so a while to wait for hers to start.
James Avery also has the best customer service.
Merry Christmas!
Rhoda says
HI, Jan, I’m so happy to hear this from those of you familiar with James Avery. I loved the story of how he got started back in the 50’s.
Sharon says
One of my most fond Christmas memories is shelling pecans at the kitchen table with my grandmother in preparation for making the baked goodies she handed out to everyone in the family. We shelled and talked, and baked and talked, and just spent some wonderful times together before she passed.
Jenny Young says
How do you choose just one favorite memory?!
One of my favorites is when my son was around 4 yrs old. My husband had taken him Christmas shopping for me & he was so excited about my gift. On Christmas morning, he ran past all of his gifts, crawled way under the tree & pulled mine out. Running to me, laughing & bouncing with excitement he cried for me to open mine first. Oh such a sweet moment…his generous heart was so much more excited to give to his mamma than to open his own gifts.
He’s a husband & father now & still such a sweetheart.
Rhoda says
Hi, Jenny, that is so sweet of your little son to be that concerned for you!
Joy says
My favorite memory from my childhood was waiting for the Christmas lights on a large tree by our house. I could see the tree from my bedroom window and loved looking at it.
Sally says
Well, this isn’t really a Christmas memory, but I guess you could say it is a James Avery memory! I grew up in San Antonio (very close to Kerrville), and I can remember when James Avery was just starting to come on the scene. It was the early ’70’s and there were a few very small christian gift/book stores that were starting to sell it. My mother bought a tie tack for my daddy. It was a small open dove (one of the first designs that became very popular). My father died only a few years later – at the very young age of 36. That tie tack has always been a very special keepsake for us. I love all of the James Avery charms and how they commemorate so many precious memories and milestones.
Rhoda says
HI, Sally, that is a very special memory for sure and wonderful that a James Avery piece was involved.
Crystal says
New PJ’s & opening just 1 gift on Christmas Eve for each of us…LOVE!
Audra Taliaferro says
Christmas is my favorite time of year! I remember getting roller skates with red wheels and red and white pom pom’s for Christmas one year! My best recent memory was a few years ago we were living in Dallas and it snowed a lot on Christmas Day! The kids were so excited to have snow on Christmas!
James Avery is one of my favorite jewelry stores! Since I moved to TX in 1996, I have been a fan! We usually get my mother in law something from there and since she lives in Alabama, all of her pieces have been unique to her until recently when JA expanded. I love all the charms. My husband started a charm bracelet for me when I became a mom, and my mom has started one for my daughter. Most charms are from JA, but we have some that are from other places, and as long as they are sterling, JA will solder them for a small fee – love their customer service! And I have heirloom charm bracelets from my dad’s mom and from my mom…great memories and stories tied to them!
vickyl says
I still have my childhood silver charm bracelet! Love to get this to add to it.
Laura says
When we were little we would have Christmas Eve at my Grandma’s house, dinner, gifts, music etc. One After leaving Grandma’s house one Christmas Eve my Dad was driving on our street and as we approached our house he shouted out in a very excited voice “wow look up, there goes Santa’s sleigh off of our roof”. We scambled to look out the car windows and of course missed him. When we go inside the tree was packed with our gifts which in our little minds was confirmation that Santa had in fact just left our house. We carried that memory for many years believing a little longer than maybe we should have that there really was a Santa.
Laura
Toni says
My favorite Christmas was the year I’d been asking for this big stuffed purple dog. I think I was about 10-11 at the time. I snuck downstairs in the middle of the night, saw a big huge bag…..carefully poked my finger through the wrapping and pulled out a tuft of purple fuzz! I was elated and went back upstairs and was able to fall asleep knowing my wishes had come true! Love James Avery jewelry. Such good quality.
Rhoda says
Toni, how cute is that story and the fact you wanted a big stuffed purple dog!
Sally says
Family….that is always my favorite Christmas memory. I lost my Dad 3 years ago and always around the holidays I feel him more. Family is everything, the good, the bad and sometimes the ugly!
JL says
Merry Christmas!! Your new home looks beautiful!! We have so many warm memories but being with family is the most important. We lost 5 family members this year, so it will be different but we are thankful that we will see them again in Heaven one day! God bless you and your family!