Decorating for 2009

[Snowflake]

I know this is an early thought, but as I put my decorations out for 2008, I thought of things I would like to do for the next year. Does anyone else have something they wished they would have done this year or would like to add next year?

I would love to have an outdoor lighted nativity set. Esp. now since everyone is trying to do away with the Religious theme etc. but they all seem so expensive.
Home Improvements has some on sale now. I don't see much in local stores, and the bad thing about ordering online, with such larger items, if one doesn't like it, it is costly to return it.

I am thinking about the lighted wire type nativity set. Not Blowmolds etc. I think the pranksters are not as likely to steal the wire type.

Would like to know what type of outdoor nativity sets anyone has or recommends.

[ChristmasFanatic]

CB and I would love to add some outdoor lighting to the house, but at the moment, this house doesn't have any outlets, outside. This is an older home, built in 1832, I believe, so updates have been few over the years, I think.....outside outlets is one thing that was never done. That's the main thing for us.

[Snowflake]

I know I live in a 1932 house. About 10 years ago we had a dedicated line put in for Christmas Decorations, but we really needed more outdoor plugs too.

[ChristmasFanatic]

That's my only real complain with this 170+ year-old house.....the lack of outlets inside and outside. I'd like to get the kitchen cabinets and counters replaced, but Dad had a bad experience, this year with a contractor. We had about a week's worth of work done and that went well, but the upstairs bathroom walls/tile need to be replaced and Dad paid $800 down and the guy has never come back, so I don't think Dad will be doing anything cosmetic for a while. CB and I want to sand down the kitchen cabinets, stain them and add some new hardware to the cabinets to kind of update them.

If we could get some outside outlets for next year, I'd be thrilled with that!

[mother christmas]

Yes I've already started to my a list in my book of things that I want to buy and do next christmas season.

My icicle lights are not working at the moment because my dog decided to chew through the wire's while they where lite (he most likely get a really good zap) and those I would like to get re-lite by Friday but if I don't I want to make sure that I have them up next year.

0293

[primchristmas]

Im always making notes in my head about decorating for the next year! We need more outdoor plugs........and I want to buy more mercury glass ornaments ..........I just love the way they look .......

[topaz 64]

not even got the 2008 decorations up yet. Once the work is done I must sort it out. All the extra bits from the kitchen are in the front room, so we're short on space. Seen some santas that sit on shelves that would look nice, just hope the shop has some left tomorrow.

[Christy Carol]

Oh my...2009?

I've got to get thru 2008 first. There is so much I wanted to get done but didnt so I guess I will strive for that next year.

[lightitup]

My main goal is to get the garden railroad area redone. We want to put the train up on a trellis kind of stand so the track isn't laying on the ground. We have to get rid of some pine trees out there so we don't have to put up with the needles. The swings have to be finished. We want to take a wall out in the living room connecting my office and move my office in ther den. hmmm I don't know if we will get it all done.

Snowflake I have the blowmolds nativity and dearly love it. I don't have any problems with folks taking them because I put rebar in the ground and set them over it. It keeps them from blowing over too.
I am not a big fan of the wire framed ones because they rust and tear up to quick. To many lights to replace too. The blowmolds there is only one light to replace. LOL834502

[DoubleA]

I really want to get a lighted Nativity as well for the outside. And yes they are pretty pricey which is why I still dont have one. The blowmolds might be pretty good. They dont fade in the sun too much Miss. Light?

[Mrs Santas Sister]

Christmas 2009..

So excited that it is really not far away now..We do not do much outside, hubby and I are both 65, almost 66 so climbing ladders takes on whole new adventure aspect.. I do put lights all around our deck in the back, easy to do just wrapping posts and fence. Inside I have about 9 trees all sizes, each is a different theme.

This year will be;

LR tree, our fresh tree, and it is the family tree, ornaments from all our travels, very old heirloom ornaments, etc,,

Kitchen tree, gingerbread men, cookie cut outs,.

Basement tree, animal tree, all kinds of animals.

bedroom tree, candy canes, santas

breezeway tree, blue, white lights, angels

Guest room tree, elves, small toys

Have not decided about the rest yet..

Mrs santas Sister

[jollyheather]

I do not really plan ahead like that. I do have idears from things i see and i like but every year i just go with the flow off the moment. That works the best for me. I am collecting green, red gold ornaments so i can change if i want to. But not enough orni's jet so i'll just have a bleu, green and snow white tree again this year!

[savingstar]

i would love to have outside lights this year as they always look so pretty in your pictures

[angelpugs]

I decorate everything the outside and inside as i always have lights outdoors and some animated pieces actually can't wait to get started.:61:

[MarthaK]

I am now on my second year of wondering how to display a custom-made wire frame set. This is so frustrating!

I have a wire frame of a C-130 military plane and another with Santa in a parachute.

They were intended to be mounted on the roof, but when I tried to put them up 2 years ago I realized that the aluminum ridge vents at the peek of my roof line prevents me from using most mounting methods.

Now I am trying to engineer a way that they can be hung against the side of the house facing the road.

Here is what they look like bare, I need to set them up and at least get a picture of them lit.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n4/mkleder/C130PJSanta.jpg

Does anyone know of any elves who will come to my house and hold them up on the roof each night during the season?

[whitney37354]

Outside: One large and one small Christmas garden flag, two pre-lit (white) hanging baskets, two pre-lit (white) urns. The urns are new this year.

Inside: DD has her own 2' tree, stuffed animals, and three advent calendars---we love counting down the days! In addition, we have a 7' tree & a probably 3' tree. I just have to decide if I want to do one or both, and which one if only one. I also display my Possible Dreams Santa collection and Precious Moments nativity scene. I put out the pictures of DD & me with Santa. I need to check with MIL to see if she has a picture of DH with Santa when he was little. I don't want him to feel left out! I put out our Christmas Memory Book---you put memories from your first 25 Christmases together in it. 16 down, 9 to go! In the kitchen I have two Christmas crocks---one for utensils & one for pot scrubbers.

I feel like I need to put something in the bathroom. Maybe I could get a nice set of towels to hang up and put a Santa on the back of the toilet. I don't have room for a tree in there!

[White Dove]

martha,just a thought,
could you hang those in a tree???

maybe make it look like they were trying to land?
they are cute.

[lightitup]

I know what you mean by the ridge vent getting in the way. I have tied my 6 foot wreath from the over hang of the house and a stake in the ground coming up behind it so it wouldn't bang against the house. I don't know if I have a pic of it but I will try to find one. I do like the idea of hanging them in the tree too!!