Wrapping Yourself in Christmas Memories
Some wrap in paper...I prefer to wrap in memories.
When I look around my home anytime of the year I see memories of things from the past. I am a saver of everything that has even the tiniest memory attached to it. But at Christmas, I fill my home with meaningful things that remind me of when my mom and grandmother were still living on earth. I love getting out each special piece and being reminded of the wonderful times these items represent.
My grandmothers best dishes sit on top of the late 1800's general store table.in the 1875 Boarding Room kitchen in Walnut. These are the same dishes that we enjoyed every holiday meal on at her house. They aren't expensive, but to me they are priceless. My family enjoyed meals on them for 30 years. My grandmother loved those dishes. Her recipe box sits atop a primitive green three drawer cupboard (see photo above). The recipe box holds her handwritten recipes, some notes and phone numbers, and even recipes from my great grandmother. The recipe box sat on her kitchen counter for years as an everyday item, often with her flour fingerprints on the wood box from reaching a recipe card out quickly.
A metal measuring cup from the grocer of the small town my mother grew up in holds a small Christmas Tree and a small vintage sugar scoop. Her red handled rolling pin sets atop a cupboard reminding me of all the Christmas cookies she made and a very special memory.
As I was growing up, my mom would start making candles in late October. They were beautiful candles. She created angels and snowmen separately to add onto the candles after she poured them and took them out of the mold she created from milk cartons. Her candles were amazing. Once her candles were finished, she would start making divinity, fudge, cookies, and all kinds of other goodies.
She spent hours making candles, baking, and making homemade candy.
Then just after Thanksgiving she would hold a Christmas Sale selling her candles and homemade treats. She sold everything she had spent all that time making. I was young and didn't know it at the time, but my parents were able to purchase Christmas gifts for me and my sister with the money she made from the sale.
All that work, time, and effort...so my parents could buy us presents. We never got expensive presents, but we always got just enough that we never felt lacking. I have so many wonderful memories of Christmas mornings at our house on 5th Street (the house I wrote about in the book 'Heart of a Warrior' - A Legacy of Faith'). However, my memories are not tied to the gifts, but to the time spent together during Christmas and on Christmas morning.
Things that seemed so ordinary back then, now seem like cherished gifts.
And, isn't that what Christmas is all about? The most cherished gift...that came from God Himself to all mankind, a gift wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
A gift for all.
A gift that was timeless.
A gift wrapped in a manger.
A gift that we still celebrate today and want to share with others.
What seemed like an ordinary birth...was the Savior of the world. Nobody knew. They didn't understand what an amazing gift the whole world and people of all times had received.
We know now and we cherish the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A gift that we don't deserve. A gift of sacrifice. A gift of love wrapped in a manger so long ago.
When I realize how my mom worked tirelessly to earn money to see that we had presents wrapped under the tree. A gift of sacrifice. A gift of love wrapped so long ago...I think of the real gift of Christmas, Jesus. My parents never let Christmas be about the presents...it was about the gift of Jesus, and the memories we created when we all lived under one roof as a family.
The items from those days are true reminders of what matters in this life and I feel the love of those that are not here wrapped around me like a covering of memories, and the best part...
I know that one day, I won't need to wrap myself in memories because we will be reunited again. Creating memories in heaven never to cease. We will dwell in the presence of the One who gave us the best Christmas gift ever...His son.
For many, Christmas is a hard time. I pray that you would remember this Christmas that the real gift is yet to come for Believer's in Jesus Christ. A gift that the cost was so great only He could pay it. A gift that is free. A gift that gives the recipient a reservation in the Kingdom of Heaven. A gift that truly lasts a lifetime.
This issue of 'For your Heart and Home' has so many wonderful articles to encourage you and build your faith, while offering some great decorating and DIY tips. PLUS...it includes my short story, The Christmas Fragrance. A short must read for this season.
When I look around my home anytime of the year I see memories of things from the past. I am a saver of everything that has even the tiniest memory attached to it. But at Christmas, I fill my home with meaningful things that remind me of when my mom and grandmother were still living on earth. I love getting out each special piece and being reminded of the wonderful times these items represent.
My grandmothers best dishes sit on top of the late 1800's general store table.in the 1875 Boarding Room kitchen in Walnut. These are the same dishes that we enjoyed every holiday meal on at her house. They aren't expensive, but to me they are priceless. My family enjoyed meals on them for 30 years. My grandmother loved those dishes. Her recipe box sits atop a primitive green three drawer cupboard (see photo above). The recipe box holds her handwritten recipes, some notes and phone numbers, and even recipes from my great grandmother. The recipe box sat on her kitchen counter for years as an everyday item, often with her flour fingerprints on the wood box from reaching a recipe card out quickly.
A metal measuring cup from the grocer of the small town my mother grew up in holds a small Christmas Tree and a small vintage sugar scoop. Her red handled rolling pin sets atop a cupboard reminding me of all the Christmas cookies she made and a very special memory.
As I was growing up, my mom would start making candles in late October. They were beautiful candles. She created angels and snowmen separately to add onto the candles after she poured them and took them out of the mold she created from milk cartons. Her candles were amazing. Once her candles were finished, she would start making divinity, fudge, cookies, and all kinds of other goodies.
She spent hours making candles, baking, and making homemade candy.
Then just after Thanksgiving she would hold a Christmas Sale selling her candles and homemade treats. She sold everything she had spent all that time making. I was young and didn't know it at the time, but my parents were able to purchase Christmas gifts for me and my sister with the money she made from the sale.
All that work, time, and effort...so my parents could buy us presents. We never got expensive presents, but we always got just enough that we never felt lacking. I have so many wonderful memories of Christmas mornings at our house on 5th Street (the house I wrote about in the book 'Heart of a Warrior' - A Legacy of Faith'). However, my memories are not tied to the gifts, but to the time spent together during Christmas and on Christmas morning.
Things that seemed so ordinary back then, now seem like cherished gifts.
And, isn't that what Christmas is all about? The most cherished gift...that came from God Himself to all mankind, a gift wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
A gift for all.
A gift that was timeless.
A gift wrapped in a manger.
A gift that we still celebrate today and want to share with others.
What seemed like an ordinary birth...was the Savior of the world. Nobody knew. They didn't understand what an amazing gift the whole world and people of all times had received.
We know now and we cherish the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A gift that we don't deserve. A gift of sacrifice. A gift of love wrapped in a manger so long ago.
When I realize how my mom worked tirelessly to earn money to see that we had presents wrapped under the tree. A gift of sacrifice. A gift of love wrapped so long ago...I think of the real gift of Christmas, Jesus. My parents never let Christmas be about the presents...it was about the gift of Jesus, and the memories we created when we all lived under one roof as a family.
The items from those days are true reminders of what matters in this life and I feel the love of those that are not here wrapped around me like a covering of memories, and the best part...
I know that one day, I won't need to wrap myself in memories because we will be reunited again. Creating memories in heaven never to cease. We will dwell in the presence of the One who gave us the best Christmas gift ever...His son.
For many, Christmas is a hard time. I pray that you would remember this Christmas that the real gift is yet to come for Believer's in Jesus Christ. A gift that the cost was so great only He could pay it. A gift that is free. A gift that gives the recipient a reservation in the Kingdom of Heaven. A gift that truly lasts a lifetime.
This issue of 'For your Heart and Home' has so many wonderful articles to encourage you and build your faith, while offering some great decorating and DIY tips. PLUS...it includes my short story, The Christmas Fragrance. A short must read for this season.
In The Christmas Fragrance, you'll meet Caroline and Maude and see how God worked in their lives, giving them the gift He had been preparing for them through generations.
Now, wrap yourself in your own Christmas memories, and remember that Jesus IS the reason for this season and every single day!
Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas,
Shelly
Publisher
The Notebook Café
Millie McKeever’s Vintage & Home Decor
Now, wrap yourself in your own Christmas memories, and remember that Jesus IS the reason for this season and every single day!
Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas,
Shelly
Publisher
The Notebook Café
Millie McKeever’s Vintage & Home Decor
Shelly recently visited a friend in Northfield Minnesota. You'll find some great ideas for your home and simple Christmas crafts in 'A Road Trip to Friendship - Girl's Weekend in Northfield, Minnesota'.
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Shelly Thompson is the Publisher for The Notebook Cafe -- Inspired Words for the Journey, and owner of Millie McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor and Coffee Bar located in the quaint historic town of Walnut, Iowa. 'The Gathering Room' offers a place where women gather to share a time of fellowship, devotion, and a tour the circa 1875 historical bank building restored by Shelly and her husband. Shelly is the author of two books. Entwined; now in its fourth printing; and Heart of a Warrior - A Legacy of Faith; in its sixth printing. A third book 'Heart of a Warrior - A Sword of Faith' will be available December 20, 2025. Taking a giant leap of faith Shelly left the corporate world in 2015 to pursue a dream God gave her of developing a monthly inspirational faith based online reading café of words and encouragement. Today, The Notebook Café reaches over one million people each month. Shelly has also developed The Notebook Cafe Annual Woman's Conference and women's retreat. In addition to operating The Notebook Cafe shop, Millie McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor, Shelly and her husband, Dave, spend time with their family and many weekends working on home renovation projects…that thankfully never seem to end.
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