What is one of my best memories from being raised in the home I was raised in? My mom kept our house exciting. How? By decorating for the holidays. She didn't blow up the place with knick knacks and large holiday pieces, or even cover much space, but she kept it fun and festive.
The mirror above the piano was usually where she would sprinkle in some holiday cheer. Garland's and small holiday pieces were just enough to keep me looking forward to the next scene change. Having something to look forward to, even something as silly as Valentine's day, brings excitement and hope to the heart.
I have since attempted to do this same thing in my home. My kids get just as big of a kick out of my holiday scene changes as I did with my Mom. Admittedly I am not prepared for as many holiday scene changes as my mind has dreamed of.
Valentine's day decorating, I feel, is my consistent biggest home run over the years. One year I made the effort of making a Valentine's day doll. I had already been making fabric dolls for my daughter and to give as presents, but this one was specifically tailored for the holiday. It became my all time favorite decoration. My kids freak out when I get it out each Valentines day. They will ask (and most often sneak) to hold it and it generated excitement for the time of year it was. Holiday scene mission accomplished.
It was such a hit that I thought to myself, "You should make a holiday doll for all the holiday's." I never did, until now. I am jumping in with Thanksgiving dolls. My initial idea was Native American's and Pilgrims. I found some appealing fabric for the Native American dolls with gorgeous turquoise accents, but found myself struggling to stay true to a "pilgrim" color scheme (thinking black and grey with white collars) and couldn't bring myself to do it. So my pilgrims are a little more cheerful in the apparel than they realistically would be - but hey if I can't be creative with my own strange hobby than when can I be!
I am pleased with the outcome of these Thanksgiving dolls. I had my handsome son Charles help me with the scene for the background of our holiday scene picture. He colored in the line work I drew and helped me pose the dolls and Thanksgiving feast items. Oh and Orson the baby boy in the family donated the use of his plastic kitchen food. Definitely a real group effort. Time will tell if I can follow through with my goal and get some holiday dolls made for the last of this year's events and carry it home through 2016.
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