This is my very first try at the blogging world, so bare with me while I get started. My name is Holly and im from a small town in the beautiful state of Pennsylania. Together with my wondeful husband (Bob) and our 2 boys (ages 10 & 14), we live in early american style home that I love decorating, how? On a shoestring!
I had been thinking about blogging for a few weeks now, but really didnt seem to have an "exciting" topic to write that fit in with what i wanted to write about. The idea came alive today when I was setting up my oh-so-beloved Christmas Village. I've seen so many through the years that just seemed to always take my breath away. Staring at them always seemed to put me in another time and place.
3 Years ago, i'd decided it was time to start this wonderful fascinaion that has followed through childhood into adulthood. But, I knew (or so I thought i knew)these were not cheap items to collect. I set out on a mission to prove my own theory wrong.
My first piece, the church in the upper right hand corner was i guess you could say, my inspiration piece. It was given to me by my mother-in-law. I really had no idea what to do with it that year, so i'd just set it out and put a few decorations around it.
Last Christmas, oh how the village came to life. I was browsing in our local dollar store when i found the 3 little buildings (toy store, school and firehouse). I was so happy to find them for $1 each. The 2nd bigger piece came with a joann fabrics 50% coupon right before christmas last year. Several of the small "fill-in" pieces were acquired by clearance and trusty old joann coupons. I dont think i've paid anymore than $3 each for those peices. As id thought it had grown enough by Christmas last year, my husband surprised me yet, one more piece. I dont know how much he paid for it, but knowing him, it probaly wasnt cheap as he wont shop for the bargains like I do. He goes into the stores and gets what he wants and gets out asap. He is a man, right?
Today, I got gutsy or maybe some may call it insane and brought out all my decorations that make my house come to life this time of year. As i was deciding where to put the village this year, my eyes kept going back to the china closet that so desperately needs refinished (someday, I will accomplish that task...or rather maybe not. As my husband says when i talk about doing so "not in this lifetime will you finish it. It's been like that for 5 years, why start now?" Anyways, the china closet won the battle. As i'd started to place the pieces I had, they just werent big enough to fill the china closet and still look nice. Lo and behold, just like he was reading my mind, bob says "do you need anything from Walmart?". Oh my, im thinking now, he's got to know that's really a silly question! OF COURSE, i replied. And off we went, i never did tell him it was my intentions all along to buy another village building or 2. I brought home yet 2 more pieces and the most expensive ones to date, $15 each. Oh and I found the artificial tree that I want also while we were browsing. I dont know, but im thinking Bob wont be asking me again anytime soon if i need anything from Walmart.
So, anyways... back to the moral of todays post. If you have a dream of a collection of something that is usually rather expensive, shop the thrift stores, use coupons, drop hints to your better half, or others that maybe you swap gifts with. Where there's a will, there's a way!
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