This morning, we brought up the 8 tubs that I use to store (almost) all of my Christmas decorations. The kids and I have been waiting for this for weeks! I laid it all out on my kitchen cabinets and then set about to redistribute it all throughout the house. Not an easy task! I still don’t feel like I have things in their “homes”. I think it might take me a few more years of living in this house to feel that way. Each time I opened a tub, I was giddy with excitement at getting a chance to see some of my most favorite items. Here are my top 10.

1. New pewter Nutcracker candleholder – I love it! I bought it last year after Christmas, so I completely forgot I had it.
2. Santa music box – Twist Santa around and it plays Christmas music.
3. Crystal Santa – Holds a candle that we use in our Christmas Eve tradition.
4. Silver Santa handbell – You might start to notice a trend here. I will admit that I have an obsession with Santas. I probably have over 20 Santas around my house now.
5. Santa cookie jars – Last year I bought a trio of Santa cookie jars in natural tones. I LOVE these!
6. Snowy houses –  I have a pair of ceramic houses that have a Christmas scene around them. I can put a tea light inside so they look like they are glowing.
7. North Pole tea set – In 1996, we had a 16-year-old Thai girl staying with us for a few months (I was a teacher at an English Institute and we were a part of their homestay program). She had never celebrated Christmas before, and this was what she bought us for Christmas.
8. Santa riding a reindeer – The reindeer sits on a spring and bounces back and forth if you give it a little push.
9. Santa Advent calendar wall hanging – This is a part of our favorite family tradition. I put slips of paper into each little pocket of this Advent calendar. Each slip has a Christmas activity for our family to do each day. My kids cannot wait until December 1st.
10. Cardinals – I think this one goes back to the fact that my high school were the Cardinals. Not only are they beautiful winter birds, but they bring back happy memories of playing sports in my youth!
11. Christmas tree cookie jar –  This beautiful cookie jar makes me so happy. It is so pretty. I am a sucker for ceramic holiday decorations.

I couldn’t narrow it down to just 10. I also can’t wait to get out my new Christmas tablecloth. I am saving it for Christmas Eve. What are your favorite Christmas decorations? When will you start to decorate your home for the season?