Inspiring Christmas - Welcoming Our Saviour

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Joy To The World!

Nativity Set Creche 21 Pieces Polymer Clay by Hooked on Clay

Nativity - PDF Doll Pattern by Bugga Bugs

The Nativity Christmas Card Set of 10 by The Parables

Thank you to Hooked On Clay, Bugga Bugs and The Parables for welcoming, with me, Christ the King. Please check out these and all the other fabulous items in their Etsy shops.

Cheers and Merry Christmas!
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Inspiring Christmas - Hark! The Herald Angel Sings!

... And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased!"

A Child Is Born!

Shepherds and their Flock - Needle Felted Nativity Decor by Bossy's Feltworks

Nativity Shepherd Boy Cow and Sheep White Washed by Middleburg Folk Art Studio

Gospel Story Cutting Board by RivdomArt

Thank you to Bossy's Feltworks, Middleburg Folk Art Studio and RivdomArt for helping me bring the glad tidings of our Saviour's birth. Please check out these and all the other fabulous items in their Etsy shops.

Cheers and Merry Christmas!
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Inspiring Christmas - Waiting For Our Saviour

All my "Inspiring Christmas" posts have been leading up to the three for this week. I've always loved Christmas, the traditions, the fun, the decorations but most especially the religious aspects of it.

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season

Ave Maria, Exquisite Virgin Mary Icon by Mary's Prayers

Mary & Joseph in Bethlehem Christmas Digital Download for Iron On Image Transfer by Vintage Restyled

Three Wise Men Christmas Blessings Photo (or No Photo) Printable Greeting Card by Trinity St. Studio

 

Thank you to Mary's Prayers, Vintage Restyled and Trinity St. Studio for helping me get ready for the coming of Christ. Please check out these and all the other fabulous items in their Etsy shops.

Cheers and Merry Christmas!
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Inspiring Christmas - Dressing In Style

Now that the house is decorated, the presents are bought, and the goodies are ready for family and friends it's time to get dressed.

Wonderful Style

Searching through Etsy I found these three pieces of men's clothing. I think they'd look fabulous together.

Brown Tweed Jacket With Zipper by Wendelart

One - Long Sleeve Fixed Gear Bicycle Tee Shirt by One Gear Clothing

Cool Hand Luke Upcycled Pants by upcycled threads

Thank you to Wendelart, One Gear Clothing and upcycled threads for helping me to put this outfit together. Please check out these and all the other fabulous items in their Etsy shops.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Inspiring Christmas - My Own Gift Guide

As I said in my last post, I love Christmas shopping. Well, let's be honest, I love almost any type of shopping. But Christmas shopping is my favorite because it's a time when I can really think about who is important to me and what gift would suit each of them the best. So today's post is going to be my very own mini Etsy Gift Guide.

Shop 'til You Drop!

For Him

Carved Wood Oak Tree Scene in Maple Burl by The Tree Wizard Shop

For Her

Frosty Starfish - Sea Glass Starfish Pendant by Seashaped, LLC

For Teen - Girl

Honey Honey Black Crochet Beanie Hat with Blue White Zebra Print Daisy Flower by Nature Tasty

For Teen - Boy

Red Skate Eat Sleep Repeat T-Shirt by Jam Jam Tees

For Toddler - Girl

Color Wheel Bracelet by Nest Pretty Things Kids

For Toddler - Boy

Organic Alphabet Blocks by little sapling toys

For Baby - Girl

Custom Children's Name Sign by CoconutPalmDesigns

For Baby - Boy

Alphabet Quilt with Blue Border by Doodlebug Quilts

For Grandparents

Big Sky by Sylvia Grantins

Cheers and Happy Holidays!
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Inspiring Christmas - Fur Babies Like Presents Too!

I absolutely love Christmas shopping for the perfect gift for each member of my family and I always have. Actually, I remember when I was a child I bought my grandparents lottery tickets, perhaps not their heart's desire, but can you imagine how happy they would have been if they had won? I've also always thought it was important to include my fur babies in the gift giving.

Woof Woof! Meow Meow!

The first year my cat saw the Christmas tree she climbed it and knocked off half the ornaments. That year she was my only baby, fur or otherwise, so her stocking was absolutely stuffed.
Ecofelt Stocking For Your Pet by echoshop

That was many years ago though and now there is a menagerie of pets in my family including seven dogs who all love their treats.
No Bones About It Holiday Bone Tin - - All Natural Gourmet Vegetarian Dog Treats by Shorty's Gourmet Treats

One of the seven is a chihuahua who is such a little girl.
Mrs Claus 2 Piece Dress by Downunder Dog Designs

Thank you to echoshop, Shorty's Gourmet Treats and Downunder Dog Designs for the ideas for my fur baby's Christmas presents. Please check out these and all the other fabulous items in their Etsy shops.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Inspiring Christmas - Party Time!

I can't believe today is already December 1st! Time for the rounds of Christmas parties to start. Good friends, good music and good eats. Which means it's time to set the table and have a tin or two of delectable yummies on hand.

Welcome! Come In! Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

Candles, gorgeously set tables with centerpieces were staples at my Grandparents house more than ours.
Natural and Elegant Christmas Centerpiece by The Wright Wreath

No one ever passed through my Grandmother's house at Christmas, or any other time of the year for that matter, without being plied with food and drink.
Christmas Chocolate Dipped Maple Log Walnut Cookies by Topreca Bakery

Love Birds in the Snow--Set of 2 by Mary Elizabeth Arts

Thank you to The Wright Wreath, Topreca Bakery and Mary Elizabeth Arts for helping me set the table this Christmas. Please check out these and all the other fabulous items in their Etsy shops.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Inspiring Christmas - Deck The Halls

We would decorate the whole house from floor to rafters. It was always a lot of fun but tonnes of work. I loved every moment of it!

Fa la la la la, la la la la!

My mother has always liked having mats and area rugs around the house. Those would get changed out to Christmas mats as well.
Handpainted "Let it Snow" Floorcloth by A Little Bit of Pizzazz

Stockings would be hung by the fire, candles placed on the mantle and garlands of pine and berries hung.
Dollhouse Miniature Christmas Fireplace by Sherry of 19th Day Miniatures

Outside of the lights on the tree I always liked adding other light sources throughout the house.
Origami Patterned Tulips Lantern Lights by SnW Creative

Thank you to A Little Bit of Pizzazz, 19th Day Miniatures and SnW Creative for helping to decorate the house for Christmas. Please check out these and all their other fabulous items in their Etsy shops.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Inspiring Christmas - Welcoming Santa

By time we finished decorating the house for Christmas it looked like a totally different place. First we'd start by taking all the ornaments and knick knacks off all the shelves and furniture. Then we'd redecorate with the many Christmas items my mother had saved up over the years.
 

Don't Forget The Cookies
  

Santa Claus, Father Christmas, St. Nick, items have always been very popular in my family. I love old fashioned images of Santa.
Vintage 1967 Annalee Santa Standup Doll by FarStarr

Board games are quite popular in my family. These days everyone is hooked on backgammon but as children my brother and I loved checkers.
Cowboy Santa Checkerboard by Mulberry Lane Folk Art

Not to be forgotten, each of the bedrooms in the house would get a few Christmas items as well. My mother's bed usually looks like a display bed in a department store with all her pillows and bedrolls and Christmas time was no exception.
Define Good / Santa Pillow by Chimera Custom Quilts

Thank you to FarStarr, Mulberry Lane Folk Art and Chimera Custom Quilts for helping to decorate the house for Christmas. Please check out these and all their other fabulous items in their Etsy shops.
 

Cheers and Happy Holidays!
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Inspiring Christmas - Beautify the Tree

Once the lights were straightened out and strung on the tree the fun times got started. I loved unwrapping each ornament and reminiscing about them. Each member of the family had their own favorites but the one I loved best was a little metal snowman picture frame that had a picture of our childhood babysitter.

Decorate! Beautify! Trim The Tree!

As we got older my mother started going to craft shows and fairs. I loved all the great items we'd find at them, things like these pine cone ornaments.
Snow White Natural Pinecone Christmas Ornaments - Set of 4 by AprilHilerDesigns

I'd strategically place items we had lots of so they didn't look clumped up on the tree.
Wool Felted Acorn Ornaments - Set of 12 in Red and White by angel dog designs

One year I stitched a set of felt ornaments.
Hand-stitched Angels by Future Leaders of Ghana

A standard of most Christmas trees are glass balls but we didn't have any handpainted ones.
Winter Trees with Cardinals Handpainted Ornament by Brush Stroke Ornaments

My brothers and I would fight over the package of tinsel. I thought it should be hung carefully and spread evenly. My brother was fine with throwing it on in clumps.
Vintage Tinsel Icicles by Ruby Floy

And finally we'd get to the tree topper. Sometimes we had an angel but when I was able to choose I'd always pick the star.
Star of Bethlehem Christmas Tree Topper, North Star by City Free Glass

Thank you to AprilHilerDesigns, angel dog designs, Future Leaders of Ghana, Brush Stroke Ornaments, Ruby Floy and City Free Glass for helping loaning me all these items to help trim the tree. Please check out these and all their other fabulous items in their Etsy shops.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Inspiring Christmas - Light Up The Tree

After the tree was brought home, set up and left to thaw for a while it was time to sort out the strings of Christmas lights.

Straighten Out The Lights!

Has anyone ever wondered why lights that were rolled and put away so carefully the year before were a tangled mess when they came back out of the box?
Personalized Christmas Lights Owl TShirt by Cutie Patootie Creations

The lights had to be so carefully unraveled and checked.
Ho Ho Ho Hand Stamped Sterling Pendant with Red and Green Enameled Lights by Pure Rox in Print

And somehow there were always other items in the box other than the strings of lights.
Vintage Christmas Plug Ins by Riff Raff Review

But in the end it always came out right. Perfect strings of dazzling Christmas lights.
Holiday Lights - Set of 3 Cards by Card Crop Shop

Thank you to Cutie Patootie Creations, Pure Rox in Print, Riff Raff Review and Card Crop Shop for helping me to straighten out my Christmas lights. Please check out these and all their other fabulous items in their Etsy shops.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Inspiring Christmas - Just The Right Tree

Choosing just the right Christmas tree was always a family affair for us. We'd all pile into the car, including my grandparents, and head off to the tree lot. For some strange reason I only ever remember doing this after dark. Invariably my grandfather would pick out a really tall blue spruce. I don't remember what type we'd get but my brothers and I always had fun running around trying to decide on just the right tree.

Oh, Christmas Tree! Oh, Christmas Tree!

One year, we were invited up to a friend's place where we got to go out and cut our own tree. We headed out early before the mist had even been burned away by the rising sun.
Mist Valley ACEO by CoconutPalmDesigns (A little shameless self promotion.)
We walked through a Christmas tree forest just like this one.
Christmas Tree Forest Wood Plaque by A Lost Feather


Finally, we found it! Just the right tree! Once it was chosen I let other people deal with cutting it down while I went off and made snow angels.
Pine Tree Absorbent Tile Coasters by My Little Chickadee Creations


Thank you to A Lost Feather and My Little Chickadee Creations allowing me to feature your items to help illustrate my childhood search for just the right tree. Please check out these and all their other wonderful items in their Etsy shops.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Inspiring Christmas - Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire

Wow! It's cold! There must be some snow down my back from that breathtaking snowball fight. I had a complete blast playing in the glorious, white, fluffy, snow.

Time for getting warm though and snuggling up with my all-time favourite Christmas cartoon!

Snuggle Up! Get Warm! Enjoy!

First, I'll light the pine logs I have all set up in the fireplace and also one of these wonderfully fragrant, pine scented, Hand Dipped Incense Hearth Sticks by BohemianBazaar.

To warm my insides I'll mix up a cup of My Winter Wonderland's delicious Christmas Cocoa Mix.

And then I'll snuggle up on the couch with two of my favorite fellas who are featured on this Charlie Brown and Snoopy Christmas ACEO by Aloquin.

Thank you to BohemianBazaar, My Winter Wonderland and Aloquin for helping me to continue my walk down memory lane in search of that elusive Christmas Spirit. Please check out these and all their other wonderful items in their Etsy shops.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Inspiring Christmas - Happy, Happy, Snow Day!

As a child, and probably still as an adult if I lived somewhere where it snowed, I could never wait to get outside after the first snowfall of the year. Can't you just imagine waking up to a world of glittering whiteness?

It Snowed!!! Let's Play!!!

First, let's build a snowman but be careful not to slip!
Whoopsy the Snowman Polymer Clay Ornament by CELLestial Beadworks

Then we'll write our names in the snow.
He Marked The Day... by Theater Clouds

And we'll spend the afternoon sledding down the biggest hill we can find! Hang On!
Hand Carved Sledder Ornament by GT Carvings

Thank you to CELLestial Beadworks, Theater Clouds and GT Carvings for a fun-filled, winter, day! Please check out these and all their other wonderful items in their Etsy shops.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!
- CoconutPalmDesigns