WHAT IS "GARLAND DAY"???

 We do some crazy 'things and stuff' at our house... like make up our own holidays! Really...

The Sunday following Thanksgiving is always 'GARLAND DAY' at our house.  We have been collecting Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments for a long time and it became obvious that we had far too many ornaments to hang on a tree. Each ornament has a story and hanging them on a garland is the perfect way to display them.

 The garland started in the opening between the kitchen and the great room but it has grown to the french doors and windows.
 

 The kids each have themes that they add to each year. Scott has 'Transportation and Sports', Erin has 'Angels and Tinkerbell', Deni has 'Art and Years', and Sami has 'Pooh Bear and Dancers'. There are also spinning Barbies, Mr. and Mrs. Clause, Superman, Candy Villages, and Snowmen.
 

There are also commemorative ornaments from the Olympics, toy making Santa's, flying elves... the list goes on and on!  I am not even sure how many ornaments we have... perhaps we should do an inventory before we put them away this year...

 This was the first ornament I bought in 1976, so I really have been collecting Hallmark ornaments for thirty five years. The Santa in the snowflake is from 1979.

 It has become such a fun tradition for the family. Each year we add to the collections and the kids have a great time looking at the ornaments as we hang them up. They talk about their favorites and how the ornaments bring back great memories... Traditions are important and really help keep families together. Garland Day is a great time and a good way to kick off the Holiday season....

And... the food is important!  The menu is always the same... Surf and Turf!  Steak and King Crab legs on the grill.... There may be snow but the grill still gets hot!