it's the little things

Part of the delight I take in decorating for Christmas is the memories that special little items bring to mind.
As a child, I used to spend Christmas week with my family in snowy New Hampshire, in our summer home. So in the deep of winter that meant we had no central heat or running water. We spent a lot of time outside in the snow (hence the snowman ornament was a favorite) or inside huddled around the fire place playing games. And often we would see a mouse or two on the mantle warming themselves as well! So yes, we bought many mouse ornaments to make them feel included. The wooden reindeer toy really makes me smile because my dad just loved making the reindeer do tricks like sitting down on its haunches, or kneeling on its front legs, or dad's favorite - springing up from a dead sleep!
Ah, the joy of Christmas memories!