The First Sign of Christmas by sunnygreenwood

The First Sign of Christmas

The first sign of Christmas around our house is when the Department 56 stuff comes out of the boxes and onto the "road" on the mantle. I got the buildings up and lit one night last week, then had some special help from the grandkids on the weekend with the final touches --- the trees, people, benches, snowmen, deer, etc.

Placing all the people figures was the fun part. The 4 year old had a whole village to choose from --- a church, Quilly's Antiques, Mogan Falls General Store, Scottie's Toy Store, Scrooge's House and so on .... she ensured they all ended up at Kingsford's Brew House.

Their favourite building is the little outhouse with a door that swings open to show a surprised Santa! I just noticed that it's being guarded, tucked under her arm.

Many thanks for dropping by. Your comments and fav's are so much appreciated!
Oh what a lovely picture! So much going on - I love it!! That's going to make a wonderful Christmas road!!
November 21st, 2011  
Great time of year for family - glad yours can drop by!
November 21st, 2011  
Those are some great Chrissie decs & a lovely time to spend with your grandkids :)
November 21st, 2011  
@gene We don't see them often at our house. It's sure nice when we do and we make the most of it.
November 21st, 2011  
Hi Anne,
I have a very similar village and I usually lay it out on a table with a train that runs through it! Not sure if it'll get done this year as my new cat has a tendency to chew through thin electric cords! The other cat just decimates the village and whacks the people off onto the floor! LOL!
November 21st, 2011  
What a great site, my Grandson helps me with mine and he loves it, great moment captured!!
November 21st, 2011  
this is great, lovely that the kids enjoy placing the decorations, how special
November 21st, 2011  
@pamelaf my sister in law has a table set-up and a train too, awesome! and a chair lift! we used to have our's spread out on the top of the buffet but i missed having that space for other stuff so we cut back on the display and crammed it onto the mantle. be sure to post a pic of yours if you decide to duct tape the cats' jaws and paws. ;-)
November 21st, 2011  
Oh Anne . . what a beautiful family holiday capture. I'm sure that we all remember decorating as children, but you have this great photo to remember it with! The children are loving this . . being so careful. Sweet, happy photo. :)
November 21st, 2011  
Great looking family photo. This is a great time of the year.
November 21st, 2011  
Anne love the family envolvement ...I feel a sense of togetherness and very close family HAPPY HOLLLLLLLLLLIDAYS
November 21st, 2011  
So cute! I love these little villages. Such a nice holiday memory you've captured :)
November 21st, 2011  
Nice shot. Great tradition.
November 21st, 2011  
What a neat capture. I bet it was a delight for your grandkids to have the chance to do this.
November 21st, 2011  
Sweet! My kids love when the Dept 56 village goes up!!
November 21st, 2011  
@twinsplusone would love to see a pic or two! ;-)
November 21st, 2011  
Great family holiday shot!
November 21st, 2011  
Aww that's a lovely memory captured!
November 21st, 2011  
Excellent. Looks like they are enjoying themselves.
November 21st, 2011  
Very cute shot. It sure does look like the holidays are coming soon.
November 21st, 2011  
I love your shots that document your family activities.I need to do more of those.
November 21st, 2011  
Wonderful memory shot!
November 21st, 2011  
What a wonderful memory for your grandkids!
November 21st, 2011  
Yup it's that time of year. We're hosting Xmas eve so my wife has had a list of get the house ready items for months - I still havnt done. Hey 365 keeps me busy. Wonderful shot here. You did great capturing the spirit of the season.
November 22nd, 2011  
Sweet Capture! Great family and holiday composition! Very nice, Anne!
November 22nd, 2011  
How sweet! Thanks for inviting us into your holidays. Gosh, I can't believe it's time for Christmas decorations.
November 22nd, 2011  
very nice shot, I love the enthusiasm of kids at Christmas! I guess you'll have to get an extra outhouse so they each have one :)
November 22nd, 2011  
Cool shot and neat family time.
November 22nd, 2011  
Always a sign that Christmas is nearly here......when the Christmas Village comes out!
November 22nd, 2011  
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
November 22nd, 2011  
Wonderful photo....!
November 22nd, 2011  
What a lovely photo
November 22nd, 2011  
How sweet this is. Wonderful shot.
November 22nd, 2011  
What great helpers you have!!!
November 22nd, 2011  
This is such a sweet photo! I'm so glad your grandchildren could be there with you to help decorate. That must have made it so special. I have a Christmas village, but I haven't put it out in years. I have way to many Christmas decs, and not enough surfaces.
November 22nd, 2011  
wooo hooo it is that time of year...
November 22nd, 2011  
Great timeless treasure for the memory book.
November 22nd, 2011  
what a great shot ~ I just know they are having a ball with that! =)
November 22nd, 2011  
Great shot. I have always wanted a collection like that except we have no room for it. We usually all get together as a family on the first Saturday in December to decorate my Mom's place
November 22nd, 2011  
What a sweet holiday memory. Love that they are both standing on the chairs. Very candid.
November 22nd, 2011  
This is so sweet! I haven't put my Christmas village out in a few years.
November 22nd, 2011  
What a super grandma you are! Letting the grandkids decorate for you! Mine would have the whole house in shambles! Mind you, they are a bit younger! Great photo!
November 22nd, 2011  
Those are great looking Pieces we have a couple of cottages,lovely shot
November 22nd, 2011  
Do I smell cookies baking in the oven? If I lived near you, I might be able to get in the Christmas spirit! Wonderful shot!
November 22nd, 2011  
@hillcrest would love to visit with you ... i could have some cookies in there in a flash. it was cupcake day tho ... with a variety of colours of icing ... mostly easter colours. i didn't ask why ... ;-)
November 22nd, 2011  
I love the family traditions of Christmas. It's sweet to let your grandkids place the finishing touches on the scene. Looks like fun.
November 22nd, 2011  
What a great memory shot! So cute how she is hanging on to Santa's Outhouse! These are the days you will cherish forever. Enjoy.
November 22nd, 2011  
Nice shot! I haven't put my Dep't 56 stuff out the last few years - too little time to enjoy it and too much time to set up and take back down. Maybe this year...
November 23rd, 2011  
This is a wonderful pic, Anne! I love family Christmas traditions!!! :0)
November 23rd, 2011  
Priceless!
November 29th, 2011  
This is such a wonderful shot. You have fabulous elves to help!
December 4th, 2011  
this photograph exudes such sweetness and warmth. very nice, anne.
December 4th, 2011  
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