Thursday, December 16, 2010

Christmas Memories

This instant Christmas decoration, a silent tribute to Christmas past, hangs in the tea room during the holiday season. Many years ago, we retired our mismatched Christmas stockings to make way for a new set of handcrafted stockings. The new stockings are each slightly different, yet similar in their quilted design, and are personalized! The original stockings that hung from the chimney with care have been arranged in individual frames with memories of many Christmases ago and lovingly presented to each daughter. The stocking pictured here belongs to Nancy, and not only features the retired stocking, but also includes a photo Of Nancy, Marjorie, and Carolynn taken with Santa in the late 50's, a single photo of Nancy from kindergarten, and some old family decorations that were used during the holiday season. I can remember hanging the reflectors above the family room sofa, all over the wall, and the small little houses and tress were used to create a holiday village on one of the bookshelves. There are a lot of memories attached to this fun decoration. It's always exciting to hang it on the wall for the month of December. On the back of the artwork, it is signed and dated by the artist ("Remembrances" by: Marjorie L Reppert, 25 December 1996). The stocking pictured here belongs to Nancy, and is lovingly dedicated by my parents: May your Life's Stocking always overflow with the abundance of a Great! Reppert Christmas - Love and Laughter and Memories, The Mother, Bertha P. Reppert and also Nancy Jean Reppert, Your stocking has been honorably discharged (1996). Your Father, Byron L Reppert (Former Marine).

4 comments:

Donna and Miss Spenser said...

How precious...I had a stocking that my mother had handcrafted for me - There were 3 kids and, as I was the baby, mine was the smallest...it was so sweet. I had it even into my early married years...but somehow, in one of my moves I lost it. I am so sad about that! What a wonderful idea to preserve these memories...your sister did a fantastic job crafting it and I love the notes on the back. Your family's closeness is so special!

Donna

Linda Jennings said...

What a special and beautiful way to remember Christmas past!

Marilyn Miller said...

A lovely way to commemorate past family Christmas's. Love this stocking and the arrangement of little houses and reflectors.

Valerie Zagami said...

What a lovely tribute to the "retired" memories that go with these stockings. Thank you all for sharing your memories and the love your family shares. I have my old stocking: red felt with white trip and my name on it. I hang it every year.