A Display of Decor

Christmas, 2025, is my first in a studio apartment. For all previous Christmases, I have enjoyed the space that a house provides for decoration from a six-foot tree and lots of presents under it to candles and collections of snowmen and holiday books. After the house and the yard were dressed in lights and color, we had the pleasure of entertaining family and friends.

But all of that is now the stuff of memories.

When I moved from the last house, I brought four bins of Christmas decorations and wrappings. Where will I put all of this? I questioned as Advent began this year. But answers came as I began to actually work through the challenge.

I cannot invite all of you for a holiday drop-in, but I can show off some of my decor with photos and text. Come, see how I dressed my room for Christmas this year.

My snowman collection greets you at the top of the entry hall. The plaid tablecloth is my seasonal favorite. Having no table large enough for it, I covered three bins empty now of their Christmas decor. This collection evolved without intention by the gifts of students throughout the years.

From 72 inches to 33 inches, the tree is a hand-me-down from Katie in Yorkshire. Now she’s the one with a six-foot tree.

The nativity scene under it anchors the Reason for the season as the best of all God’s gifts to us humans, the forerunner of the gifts we give each other. You can see a few of them in the left corner.

Over the years, we acquired soldiering nutcrackers and churches. The candy on the middle shelf, however, is fresh this year. If you could actually come to my apartment, I would invite you to help yourself to a piece. Would you take me up on it?

This is my favorite arrangement because it adds a bit of elegance even among traditional colors and a touch of lace. The pair of kissing angels was purchased by my mother at a rummage sale during the late 1960’s at Portland Christian Elementary School on Market Street. At the time, she lived right next door to the school.

I will enjoy the company of Heidi (who lived with us for 27 years and now visits from Wisconsin) from Christmas Eve through December 30th. We plan trips to Seaside and Seattle to see Melanie who lived with us from 2018 to 2022.

This post goes out to you on the third day of Christmas, Saturday, December 27th. I hope to continue the habit of publishing a new post each weekend.

Linda Highman

10 Responses

  1. Lovely. You are making the best of your situation. You are being blessed! Glad you have some fun excursions planned.

    I’d love to come for a visit and taste your candy!

    See you soon!
    Love,
    Shirley

    1. A visit from you would be most welcomed! Come before next Monday and the decorations will still be up. And speaking of Monday, I’m looking forward to gathering at your house then.

  2. Thank you for sharing, Linda! Your decorations have significance and bring back a flood of memories. Plus, I love how you’re making NEW memories
    with Heidi and Melanie. Safe travels!

    1. Yes, indeed–new memories have been made! Melanie’s prospects and absolutely perfect weather at Seaside are among them. What new memories have you made this season?

  3. I love the little tree! I have my mother in laws kissing angels! One winds up to play music. They are very old but beautiful. I love how you lighted yours either greens. So nice. I see many beautiful memories throughout your festive studio. God bless you, Linda. Love Deb.

    1. Such lovely comments, Deb! Thank you for them! So, you have kissing angels, too. Accurate turn of phrase: “festive studio.” I appreciate it.
      Returning from Seaside this afternoon.

  4. Reminds me of our humble beginnings where all we really needed was the quaintness and the calm the decor was eluding of. A huge space is not required to achieve this. You’ve done more with less here.

    1. Indeed, it is a fun challenge to do more with less…something that I’ve enjoyed out of necessity over 70-some years…not only in my home but on the stage. Doing so calls upon my creativeness, which I enjoying using.