Starting Holiday Decor in the Library
Welcome to the Blog today. I am so exited you are here. Thanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away and Christmas only days away. I am already behind in decorating for the holidays so I decided, rather than drive myself crazy with what I haven’t done, I am going to embrace the things I am able to do. It’s time to enjoy the little accomplishments and stay in the moment
We recently changed our Library around. Library is a bit of a grand title for this repurposed guest room but we decided to change some of the rooms to make them better suited to our needs now that there are no children at home. My Husband and I are both readers and we also need a place to spend some time preparing classes. This room is working well for that. I will show you the whole room in another week or so but I have not completed the decorations quite yet. Today, I’m going to show you the first piece consisting of all thrifted items.
The picture above shows the pop up art of Robert Sabuda who put together this delightful book. The picture shows Five Golden Rings and Six Geese A Laying from the popular song. His work is quite magical for children and I love to have it on display.
I have a gallery space in the library to display special or seasonal books and art. “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays” is a sentiment I can get behind. I found this wall display piece brand new for just a couple of dollars. It was still in the original wrappings. Some classic books share the shelf…”A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. My daughter always puts out a “Charlie Brown” tree as part of her decorations. We watch Charlie and the Grinch every year and read the books during the holidays. It’s a tradition that I suspect exists in many homes.
Next to the Sabuda book is another version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” South Carolina style. As we live in South Carolina it seemed a fitting tribute to the season here in the Upstate.
This little cross stitch piece with its ducks/geese and a simple greeting is a seasonal favorite. I display it every year since I found it a few years ago.
This shelf shows three different needlework pieces from the Thrift Store. The Merry Christmas cross stitch is bright, colorful and fun inviting you to share in the child-like joy of the holidays. The other two pieces are both embroidered with beautiful stitching. Santa is featured prominently along with other iconic symbols of the season. Someone took a lot of time to make these and I am thrilled that they are in my home where they continue to be enjoyed and cherished.
The top shelf holds words that embody the season all shaped into a Christmas tree. The tree is flanked by one of my favorite Christmas traditions. “The Night Before Christmas” is a wonderful traditional poem we have all grown up with. On the left is the traditional version in a Victorian style presentation. The one on the right is the “Red Neck” version. I love both of them. It’s wonderful that you can enjoy the same story presented in different ways that give you more things to enjoy about an old favorite.
One little corner is ready for the holidays and I took a moment to enjoy the look and feel of this part of the library. More to come in the days ahead!
That’s cute! Ugh, I did UNdecorating of fall on Thursday, and still have some cleaning to do. I feel like a total schizo – one minute outside doing yard work (not decorating….yet), next minute working on antique mall booth stuff, then inside the house, jumping between Fall/Thanksgiving and Christmas. It seems the neighbors are much the same. Driving through the neighborhood last night I saw everything from Halloween to Fall/Thanksgiving to Christmas lights. It’s kinda sad that Thanksgiving gets the short straw. It’s truly the best time to enjoy fall. I do enjoy Christmas decor too, just haven’t taken the deep dive yet.
I can absolutely identify and I think schizoid is a very good term to describe people this time of year. I’ve done a little more Christmas for later in the week but am now outside raking leaves. Love Thanksgiving but it does get kind of lost…except for the turkey. LOl Thanks for stopping by and sharing. Have a great week. Good luck with the booth during the holidays.
Lynne
I love how you’ve decorated your library with traditional Christmas books. I have two Little Golden Books I display…they were mine when I was a child so that definitely makes them vintage! I can’t wait to see the finished room…whenever that is!
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I’m a retired librarian so books have a special importance in my life. I worked with kids at the library and came to know many wonderful authors. the ones displayed are widely known and cherished and books we read to our kids over and over. It’s nice to have them on display with so many memories attached. Thanks for sharing.
Lynne
Oh I just love that gallery wall and the books and items you’ve picked to display are just perfect for the holidays.
thanks, Joanne, my Husband made the gallery and I love having it available for special books and art especially at Christmas. thanks for stopping by and have a great week.
Lynne
Very good idea, put us in the mood without all the baubles and glitter! Love those books they were favorites of my boys! Sandi
Thanks, Sandi, I’m trying to go low key this Christmas with more naturals and things tucked into spaces where they aren’t in the way and having to be moved all the time. the books are favorites with young and old, read and reread during the holiday season. Nothing better than a good book. Thanks for sharing.
Lynne
We have a lot of duck and geese art work as well. My husband’s family have been hunters for years, so it has accumulated. 🙂 Your pieces here are beautiful.
Thanks, Lisa, I really enjoy nature art whether its needlework, watercolor or oils. They seem to fit whatever your decor. Thanks for stopping by and sharing. Have a great week.
Lynne
That pop-up book is darling. I have one of the twelve days of Christmas that’s so fun! Thank you for sharing this post at the Will Blog for Comments #15 linkup.
Pop-up books are a delight, Jennifer, you see something new each time. The Twelve Days of Christmas one is a great pop-up. thanks for visiting and sharing. Have a great week.
Lynne
I think your gallery wall is an excellent idea; no making numerous holes in your wall to hang different sized pictures, then having to patch them for the next season. What a lovely way to display art and seasonal books together. Can’t wait to see the entire room! Although I have been schizoid with various tasks, today I focused on making a series of Christmas pictures with Christmas songs and carols with embellishments. After our church bazaar, a retired school music teacher asled if I could make more for her to give her private students as gifts! Used up a bit of my stash of thrifted picture frames! Hurrah! BUT, it was time consuming! At least NOW, I have a file of Christmas songs which will make another year much easier!
Sounds like a great project, Kathy, and one which the students will love. My Husband has made several gallery walls for me and also for our daughter. They really work well and are great , especially if you like to change around your art work. I think we are all a little “nuts” this time of year switching from clean-u to set-up with different seasonal demands so close together. We’ll make it through, we always do. LOL. thanks for stopping by and sharing. Have a great week.
Lynne
You’re getting everything ready!! Love the cross stitch. Thanks so much for linking up at the #UnlimitedLinkParty 138. Pinned.
Thanks, Dee, I’m getting started but already feel behind. LOL. Thanks for stopping by and sharing. Have a great week.
Lynne