Papa's Decorating Marathon 2010

[Papa_Christmas]

Every year my plan is to be done decorating by Thanksgiving so that I can kick back relax and enjoy the finished product for as many days as possible. Through the years I have only achieved this goal a handful of times. These days with 40 plus bins of inside decorations 3 large trees and 5 small trees and a substantial amount of outside lights it can be quite a daunting task. I do so love doing it though.

This year I have removed one major consumer of my free time as I have backed away from a model railroad club that I truly enjoyed. My leave of absence made a big difference in my train layout progress this year so we shall see if I can pull off Christmas 2010 between now and Thanksgiving.

I will post my progress and count down the days in this thread so you can follow along and see if I can reach my goal. I got my start this weekend by trimming bushes and trees and cleaning flower beds in preparation of the outdoor display. Today I cleaned the hardwood floors laid down the train board and erected my first and largest tree. Here are some pics.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010001.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010002.jpg

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http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010006.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010007.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010008.jpg

[ornamentmaven]

Good job Papa!

[MissSantaClaus]

Great : )

[tinkerbell2]

Looking good Papa C....:elf3::elf3::elf3:

[Snowman]

I don't envy you all the hard work, but what beautiful results:merrychristmas::snowman: Look forward to seeing the rest!

[Crazymike1965]

Looking forward to all of the upcoming pics Papa :presents1:

[Papa_Christmas]

Thanks everyone for the kind comments.:tree:

When you look at the work we all go through to prepare for Christmas is it any wonder so many people think we are crazy? :dizzy:

If they only understood what it’s like to have the need to spread cheer and feel the joy that it brings.:elf3:

[lynnenc]

Boy between following your progress and Mike's I may be putting up trees BEFORE my self-imposed start time of the day after Thanksgiving. I do a pretty large harvest/fall decorating and like to still have it up for Thanksgiving but this year may be different. I do already have a fall tree up in golds, copper, rust and cream colors so I guess in a way I have started. Looking forward to following your progress .....

Lynne :christmastree:

[ornamentmaven]

Lynne I'm with you regarding the Thanksgiving/harvest decorations. It would be different if I didn't have company for Thanksgiving!

[MinnesotaMike]

We don't host Thanksgiving. However, we still do our interior decorating on the day after Thanksgiving. I never want to lose sight of the significance of Thanksgiving. I love that holiday as well!!

[ornamentmaven]

Agreed!

[steph535]

Papa, I remember your beautiful pics from last year, so I am really looking forward to seeing them this year. Your tree looks SO good already. I am interested in your tree top; it looks very much like a three dimensional star, made of cardboard, I think, that was shiny gold on the outside, and had 3 different colored round bulbs on the inside that my mother used to hang from the ceiling back in the '60's when I grew up. Too bad I can't zoom in and see a close-up of your tree topper. I loved that star; it threw beautiful colors all around the room and made it so warm and festive.

[Christmas_mama]

Oh wow! What a beautiful tree :D I can't wait to see your finished decorations :yahoo:

[Papa_Christmas]

Papa, I remember your beautiful pics from last year, so I am really looking forward to seeing them this year. Your tree looks SO good already. I am interested in your tree top; it looks very much like a three dimensional star, made of cardboard, I think, that was shiny gold on the outside, and had 3 different colored round bulbs on the inside that my mother used to hang from the ceiling back in the '60's when I grew up. Too bad I can't zoom in and see a close-up of your tree topper. I loved that star; it threw beautiful colors all around the room and made it so warm and festive.

Hi Steph It is a three dimensional star made of metal with little star cutouts in it .Only 1 white bulb inside I’ll try to get you a better pic. this evening.:elf3:

[steph535]

Hi Steph It is a three dimensional star made of metal with little star cutouts in it .Only 1 white bulb inside I’ll try to get you a better pic. this evening.:elf3:

thanks, Papa!

[Elvira1986]

Great pics, looking forward to more!

[Elf_Erv]

Love to see others decorating, looking great so far

[SilverBells]

Looks good Papa Christmas :elf3: I'm looking forward to seeing more. :christmastree:

[Papa_Christmas]

Here you go steph. I think we got this at either Target or Decorators Warehouse.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010009.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010010.jpg

[Papa_Christmas]

Not a lot of visible progress last night. After 32 trips up and down the attic steps and subsequently filling the hallway with bins I put hooks on a few dozen ornaments and started with the tiny ornaments at the top by then it was 10 pm and I retired to my recliner.

[ornamentmaven]

Papa - love the star topper. I think I remember seeing that at Target!

[ChristmasCrazy]

Looks great! I love the star topper too. I am always looking for a new one. I have never found one that I loved. I got a new star for this year but I am still not happy with it.

[MinnesotaMike]

I'm getting another new star again this year too!

[SilverBells]

I love that star topper. Makes mine look bad. How long ago did you get it?

[Donna-50]

Looking good. I am really late this year as I haven't even finished putting out my fall stuff. I don't start the tree until after Thanksgiving.

[*Snowflake*]

very beautiful:santa:

[Papa_Christmas]

Well a couple hours a night this week and about 5 hours yesterday to get all 280 ornaments on the tree. This tree has all glass ornaments some are more than 30 years old.I love the Santa Land look this tree has almost like a big piece of sparkling candy,With the North Pole Village and the trains underneath it is always my favorite.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010011.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010012.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010013.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010014.jpg

[tinkerbell2]

Absolutely love it.....:smitten:

[SilverBells]

GORGEOUS PAPA CHRISTMAS :elf3:

[Donna-50]

What a beautiful tree.

[steph535]

Papa, your tree is beautiful. And, about your star at the top , again, it looks just like the one my mother had back in the '60's. Her's could fold flat, that's why I think it must have been made of cardboard, or some heavy paper. It was covered with a shiny gold, but I don't know what material that was. I found one on a website a couple years ago and they wanted $60 for it. I always loved it, but I'm not about to pay that much. She had another, similar star, that, even though it, too, was three dimensional, it was more like a sun, that went flat on the wall. It, too, had 3 small round bulbs, each a different color. I guess I am jealous of your star. I want one, too. lol Oh, and they both had lots of holes/slits to let the light through.

[lynnenc]

oh how pretty Papa Christmas - love everything about it .....

Lynne :christmastree:

[ornamentmaven]

That is my kind of tree Papa! Love it.

[Papa_Christmas]

Well we had quite a productive weekend. Got the carpet cleaning out of the way on Friday and had the rest of the weekend for decorating. Most of the living room is finished.

My wife collects Nutcrackers so we have them set out on the mantel and on the Entertainment Center. The two small trees on either side of the fire place are decorated with them as well as the garland on the mantel.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010015.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010016.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010017.jpg

This is the angel corner, these two trees as well as the Nutcracker trees on the hearth are my wife’s handy work .She’s not happy with the angel tree topper so I figure it will be gone before long.I think she did a wonderful job. I’m not very talented at working with piks and garlands and ribbons on trees I prefer to just cover every inch with ornaments.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010018.jpg

I have the train tree put together and have started on the decorations I’m going to put the present tree in the study together tonight so I can get the tree boxes all put back in the attic. I have 10 days left to reach my goal I would give it a 50/50 chance right now.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010020.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010019.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_20100121.jpg

[tinkerbell2]

Papa C it looks wonderful....:christmastree:

[JollyElfDC]

It's a Christmas wonderland! Thank you for taking the time to post the pictures!

[Donna-50]

Beautiful! I collect nutcrackers also. I have about 35 or so as I have trimmed it down a bit. I refuse to buy more totes for all my decorations.

[ornamentmaven]

I love the way you have your nutcrackers displayed. I should do something like that with mine! I think we have three of the same nutcrackers!

[SilverBells]

Papa Christmas it looks sooo beautiful. And I love that painting with Santa. You really go all the way, it's gorgeous.:elf3::elf3::elf3:

[MissSantaClaus]

Oh wow. I just love the Santa Claus painting.

[*Snowflake*]

everything looks awesome, love the tree:rudolph:

[Papa_Christmas]

Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments.:waving:

I got the last big tree put together last night and should have the train tree decorated this evening.:yahoo:

I love the Santa Portrait myself. My wife and daughter surprised me with it two Christmases ago they always found me sitting outside the gallery staring at it in the window when we went to the mall. I think I’ll try the same thing with a Thomas Kinkade Christmas scene this year.:elf1:

[SilverBells]

Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments.:waving:

I got the last big tree put together last night and should have the train tree decorated this evening.:yahoo:

I love the Santa Portrait myself. My wife and daughter surprised me with it two Christmases ago they always found me sitting outside the gallery staring at it in the window when we went to the mall. I think I’ll try the same thing with a Thomas Kinkade Christmas scene this year.:elf1:

Do you do puppy eyes? :elf1: I hope you get your new Christmas painting :elf3:

[Jordan]

What a great set-up, Papa. I especially like the nutcrackers. :)

Boy, all of these photos just make me want to decorate my place for Xmas. I think I will this weekend!

[Crazymike1965]

Papa I love your Santa tree and your wonderful ornaments :santa2: Your nutcracker collection is wonderful. I have always wanted to have collection of nutcrackers. Actually I was at a store last Friday and they had some amazing nutcrackers. I almost bought one but was given a hard kick by my wife :)

[Papa_Christmas]

Well it was a pretty good weekend. The train room, the front entryway and the study are all finished. Next it’s the kitchen and dining area.

Here are some pictures of the study. This is the tree we put our presents under. I will post pictures of the train room and front entryway tomorrow,

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010149.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010152.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010159.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010158.jpg

[SilverBells]

Beautiful Papa Christmas, B E A U T I F U L :elf3:

[Elvira1986]

I love everything about it!

[Donna-50]

Beautiful! I don't start decorating until Friday so I am stuck cleaning.

[tinkerbell2]

Beautiful tree and decorations, Papa C...:elf3:

[ornamentmaven]

Nice job papa

[Papa_Christmas]

Here is the front entryway :snowman: Snowman Central :snowman:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010186.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010163.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010175.jpg

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http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010185.jpg

[ornamentmaven]

Love those snowmen. I have a collection too!

[MissSantaClaus]

Really nice : )

[lynnenc]

What a delightful area Papa Christmas - makes you smile leaving the house and coming back home .....

Lynne:christmastree:

[tinkerbell2]

Love the snowmen Papa C....:elf3:

[Donna-50]

Nice display of snowmen. Love how you have some on the boxes.

[Crazymike1965]

Papa your decorating is spendid and so full of the Christmas spirit. I love it :christmastree: I wish that I could have the skill to diversify my Christmas themes like you do :home:

[Papa_Christmas]

First let me thank you all for your kind compliments. It means a lot to me to receive compliments from people whose decorating talents I admire.

As Thanksgiving is now upon us the inside of the house is nearly done. I should finish the kitchen and dining areas today and hopefully move on to the outside lighting. That will leave only the North Pole Village under the big tree and hopefully I can have that finished by Monday. So all in all I’m pretty happy with the progress I made and as always I am amazed that I still get excited about doing this after so many years. Thank heaven I am one of the lucky few that have retained their child like enthusiasm about Christmas.

This is my train room the tree like the train is a work in progress. All the ornaments are trains or train related. It will take a few more years to fill it up the way I like and several to finish the train layout. Here is the tree and a few photos of my layout swell.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010188.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010192.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010194.jpg

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http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010199.jpg

[MissSantaClaus]

Oh wow. I just don't know what to say. Great job. So wonderful.

[tinkerbell2]

Wow, just amazing...:elf3: It's all fantastic..

[olga]

I do not know what to say, Papa Christmas, my decoration is only the 1/100 from yours...

Its simply wonderful, you have done a great job and I believe, of course, that, you were working for years to have your house decorated like this!!!!

I do not think I will ever have my house look like that.. I do not think I can make it that good..

BRAVO, with all my heart!! :smitten:

:merrychristmas:

[Donna-50]

WOW It is beautiful and it shows that you took hours and hours.

[steph535]

Papa, you make your home look like a Christmas wonderland. It is just fantastic!

[Jordan]

Papa, your train room is awe-inspiring. I especially like the Xmas tree because it looks a little like mine!

[Papa_Christmas]

Well I finished most everything Thanksgiving weekend so I was pretty well pleased with my efforts. Here are pics of the kitchen, dinning area and the North Pole village no pics of the outside yet but I’ll post some soon.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/December_2010076.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/December_2010070.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/December_2010080.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/December_2010064.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/December_2010091.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/December_2010158.jpg

[tinkerbell2]

Love it all especially the snowman dish and bowl...:snowman:

[angelpugs2]

very beautiful papa very festive i love it thanks for sharing.:santa2:

[SilverBells]

Wow, everything is so beautiful Papa Christmas :christmastree::christmastree::christmastree:

[ornamentmaven]

Very special, Papa!

[Crazymike1965]

Absolutley scintillating and effervescent Papa !!!:elf3:

[mother christmas]

Well done Papa! Are you going to put some decorations and laminetta on your tree too?

[Papa_Christmas]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments:tree:

Still have to take those outside pics yet but there coming soon.

[Merry Christmas Darling]

I like your decorations! Now I have to ask ----- where do you store all that stuff? And do you keep it sorted according to the room it will decorate?

:home:

[Papa_Christmas]

I like your decorations! Now I have to ask ----- where do you store all that stuff? And do you keep it sorted according to the room it will decorate?

:home:

I have over 40 plastic tubs I store everything in. They are labeled by the room they are for or in the case of the ornaments they are labeled by the tree they go on. Some go in the attic some in the closets the rest along with the trees are stored under the train layout.It is such a huge undertaking that I try to make it as organized as possible.:elf3:

[Jordan]

I have over 40 plastic tubs I store everything in. They are labeled by the room they are for or in the case of the ornaments they are labeled by the tree they go on. Some go in the attic some in the closets the rest along with the trees are stored under the train layout.It is such a huge undertaking that I try to make it as organized as possible.:elf3:
I live in a condo right now and have minimal room to story my Xmas decorations. I'm looking forward to the day when I move into a larger home and can buy more decorations because I'll have a basement to store it all! :elf3:

[Merry Christmas Darling]

I live in a condo right now and have minimal room to story my Xmas decorations. I'm looking forward to the day when I move into a larger home and can buy more decorations because I'll have a basement to store it all! :elf3:

My basement turned into a hoarder's basement! :elf2: It's so bad that our daughter sent me the following email:

Hoarders: If you have so much crap in your basement that you are unaware a homeless person is living down there you might have a problem.

I gave away my 7-ft. tree, some 1970 ornaments, and my Dept. 56 New England Village. I still can't walk safely in my basement. My goal for 2011 is to part with lots more. But I'm not mailing my junk to anyone. It's going to family, Salvation Army, and Goodwill.

[Merry Christmas Darling]

I have over 40 plastic tubs I store everything in. They are labeled by the room they are for or in the case of the ornaments they are labeled by the tree they go on. Some go in the attic some in the closets the rest along with the trees are stored under the train layout.It is such a huge undertaking that I try to make it as organized as possible.:elf3:

Wow! That's really nice since your house is large. We live in a cracker box. I think our house is 1400 square feet.

[angelpugs2]

papa i just love your home it's so beautiful i love the tree with the train and village this made me smile to see something this beautiful especially while i'm enjoying a nice quiet morning what a way to start the day it's amazing.:santa2::home:

[ornamentmaven]

MW - we have a small house too AND a hoarder's basement as well! At least the upstairs is neat and clean!

[Elvira1986]

Looks absolutely wonderful!

[MinnesotaMike]

Man, I love that train room!!

[Papa_Christmas]

Well I finally got around to taking pictures of the outside lights.I also added a tree to the entryway to help light up my snowmen.

I just updated my Christmas page at my website today so if you want to see every inch of papa's 2010 Christmas Wonderland go here.

http://www.oncrail.com/lshr.html

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/2010_wonderland_01.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/2010_wonderland_02.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/2010_wonderland_03.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/2010_wonderland_04.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/2010_wonderland_05.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/2010_wonderland_06.jpg

[MinnesotaMike]

Beautiful outdoor work! Is it static, or do you have a controller for it?

[Papa_Christmas]

Beautiful outdoor work! Is it static, or do you have a controller for it?

Static except for the blue and white lights they are twinkling snowflake LED lights.

[Donna-50]

I like the tree in the pot. Did it come like that or did you place in there? If placed in there how do you keep it straight?

Love the outdoor lighting. I do know that it takes some time to do that. We use to do all that but I haven't in years.

[Jordan]

Classy decorations, Papa. I really like the outdoor lights!

[tinkerbell2]

Oh, what can I say .....:elf1: it's fantastic I love it...:elf1::elf3:

[Papa_Christmas]

I like the tree in the pot. Did it come like that or did you place in there? If placed in there how do you keep it straight?

Love the outdoor lighting. I do know that it takes some time to do that. We use to do all that but I haven't in years.

It's a GE Just-Cut Pre-Lit 5ft Frosted Aspen Fir. We got it at Lowes a couple of weeks ago.It comes with the stand cemented in the pot.

[Papa_Christmas]

Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments.There is a ton of pics at my site if you want to see more.
:merrychristmas:

[Crazymike1965]

Very nice Papa !!!! I wish that I had bushes :home:

[Donna-50]

It's a GE Just-Cut Pre-Lit 5ft Frosted Aspen Fir. We got it at Lowes a couple of weeks ago.It comes with the stand cemented in the pot.

Thanks. I always think about them for outside but didn't think of one for inside. Hummm, I think I will be on the lookout as one would look nice in my dining room.

[MinnesotaMike]

Menard's is selling ALL Christmas stuff at 50% OFF right now!!

[SilverBells]

Looks fantastic Papa Christmas :elf3: You have a beautiful home :home:

[MissSantaClaus]

Wow that is so beautiful. Really good job.

[angelpugs2]

papa it's just so beautiful just amazing i enjoyed seeing all those photos just lovely this made my morning this is just to wonderful.:elf3:

[Papa_Christmas]

Thanks everyone and glad you enjoyed all the website pics angelpugs :tree:

[Merry Christmas Darling]

:elf3:
Here you go steph. I think we got this at either Target or Decorators Warehouse.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010009.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010010.jpg

Great star! :elf3:

[Papa_Christmas]

You must have needed a shovel to dig this thread up:elf1:

[Crazymike1965]

It is a great thread Papa :santa1:

[Merry Christmas Darling]

Here are some pictures of the study. This is the tree we put our presents under.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/buck1018/Christmas_2010/November_2010158.jpg


I love all those lights. The tree really sparkles!

[Papa_Christmas]

It is a great thread Papa :santa1:

Old news

Like you my friend I'm hoping for bigger better and more exciting this year:elf3:

[ChristmasFairy]

It's a great thread Papa Christmas and I'm glad someone dug it up ... otherwise I would've missed seeing your beautiful decorations.

Your wife's Nutcracker Collection is impressive, so is the Snowman Collection, your train room is amazing ......... everything is fantastic !!!! How many hours did it all take to do?

Looking forward to seeing your 2011 pics ....... :christmastree:

[Papa_Christmas]

It's a great thread Papa Christmas and I'm glad someone dug it up ... otherwise I would've missed seeing your beautiful decorations.

Your wife's Nutcracker Collection is impressive, so is the Snowman Collection, your train room is amazing ......... everything is fantastic !!!! How many hours did it all take to do?

Looking forward to seeing your 2011 pics ....... :christmastree:

Thanks It takes about 4 weeks.

[ChantelleJoy]

Thanks It takes about 4 weeks.


Papa, Im going to go ahead and close this thread (don't worry, people can still read it, just not reply), and feel free to go ahead and start a 2011 thread when you begin decorating this year!!

:)

:merrychristmas: