1. Santa salt and pepper shakers that I loved as a child and didn't even know they still existed until we had to sell Mom's house last year! The little ceramic fellows never fail to inspire a wistful nostalgia for Christmas's past.
2. Simple potholders featuring screen printed images on cotton fabric - these were sewn and quilted by my maternal grandmother, who I miss dearly, but never more than at Christmas.
3. A fish ornament that is not vintage, nostalgic, or even traditionally holidayish, holds a special place in my heart because it was a gift from a special friend and because it is so unique, with its animated features and sparkly colors.
4. About twenty years ago, I found a page of vintage Christmas images (meant for decoupage) inserted in a magazine. I cut them out and glued them to stock paper, and gold or white doilies trimmed to size. Red embroidery yarn was tied on for hangers. The ornaments have such a lovely old-world appeal.
5. A paper mache reindeer is regally transformed with a painted finish that has the rich appearance of burnished gold. He is also a planter and holds a small bush of shiny berry-laden holly.
6. A spruce wreath hangs on the front porch to the left of the door. Originally it had just the small gold ornaments, red berry sprigs and the red bow. Later I bought the little sled at an after-Christmas sale but couldn't seem to find the right spot for it, until it finally found a just-right place on the wreath.
7. Santa takes on a whimsical form, again on the front porch, atop the summertime fern stand. For safety in the blustery winter winds, his ceramic form (now wait, is he a snowman?) is wired to the stand. 
8. Another holiday resident welcomes visitors on the front porch - this vigilant cardinal that I rescued from a local thrift shop. I used acrylic paint to cover the faded metallic finish and was pleased with the realistic palette. My redbird looks right at home, perched among the potted ivy, scarlet berries and winter flowers.
10. Simply because I love it, the nature tree stands atop the computer desk all year long but for the Christmas season, small apple ornaments and tiny gold bells are added. Oh, and a gold nativity ornament assumes the highest point on the tree.
11. Husband started this collection of ceramic buildings a few years ago and now they sit on a bookshelf in the living room. A snow blanket and pillowy pine trees complete the winter look, which glows with tiny lighted windows in early morning and in the evening. (The village is on the same timer as the Christmas tree - no need to hassle with wires or awkwardly placed electrical plugs.)
12. I made the stately swan three decades ago. The fowl, and the holiday wreath encircling his slender neck, was made from a kit - preprinted fabric which I cut and stitched together, then stuffed. He perches on the highest shelf in the vaulted kitchen, among a collection of cookbooks.
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