I actually wish I had bought more of these lanterns. They aren't too fancy looking, but they were only $2.50. I bought this the day after Christmas and of course all my decor was still in place, so I brought this in and placed it on a chest next to our manger scene. You can just see the edge of the wooden stable at right in the photo above.
The next photo shows the lantern and creche more clearly, though the picture is somewhat fuzzy.
Below is our manger scene as it looked last year. The wooden stable was made by my dad many years ago. I got the idea of placing a New Testament, open to Luke 2, in front of it after seeing something similar that Sandi, at
Rose Chintz Cottage, had done. I liked the idea and the look very much, but felt it needed something to set it off. Evergreens with entwined white lights would have done the trick, but there is no outlet anywhere near that chest, nor any place to hide an extension cord. I don't care for battery operated light strings because in my experience the batteries die much too quickly.
So when I got this lantern home, I decided to try it by the creche. There's a place inside the lantern for a candle. I first tried a votive. Bad idea. It ended up melting all over the candle cup. Tea lights work much better. Of course, a battery operated tea light or flameless candle would be better still.
Still, a little something was needed and I had the spray of cedar and glittery red berries in my stash. I put the stems behind the stable and sort of curved the berries around the lantern. Much better!
As I mentioned at the beginning, I do wish I had bought several of these lanterns. The nice thing is that they are not specifically Christmasy, so they would work in any season. If we happen to find any more next time we visit that store, I will snap them up!
What a deal Mrs T! It looks perfect there. And how sweet that your stable was made by your daddy! Hope you all are safe and warm this morning...we had a dusting of snow here and were grateful that it was not worse.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Arlene! Yes, my dad made stables for many family members. He enjoyed woodworking so much, but no longer has an interest. Thankfully, back in 2000 or so, he did make one for each of my married kids. It's so nice to know that they each have one to display.
DeleteNo snow here -- it didn't get this far. It's partly sunny and partly cloudy -- and very cold.
That's a nice accessory. Hope that you find more. I found a lantern I had purchased years ago...it's a cheesy gold with glitter applied. I haven't used it for a long time, though I like its form (Sort of a Dickens-esque look). Perhaps I can spray paint it and tone it down or perhaps I can find a better one as you did and let this one go.
ReplyDeleteLoved knowing that you have been on a sleigh ride. We have two farms offering them as a $70 dollar option for four and $5 for each additional person. I was planning to give my grands that gift, but was talked out of it by quite a few. The discussion was that they are taken snowmobiling all the time by their maternal grandfather and they'd find a sleigh ride a bit too tame. Sigh. There went my big dreams. =D
Thanks,Vee! If I get to that store and happen to find more, I could possibly pick one up for you and mail it. You aren't that far away and the lanterns aren't super heavy. These are sort of cheesy looking too, if you look close (and I think that's why I only got one) -- but now that I'm actually using it,it's really not so bad.
DeleteBut yes, I would go for trying to tone down the one you have. Maybe a light sanding would help?
So sorry for the [hopefully temporary] loss of your sleigh riding dreams. I still think that if it were me, I would do it. We used to have a Christmas tree farm in the area that would take people out to cut their tree in a sled or wagon pulled by draft horses. Now that was a fun adventure. Our kids were in college at the time but they enjoyed it a lot!
What a lovely lantern, and at a steal of a price too! I am such a bargain hunter, and this would make me very happy! It looks lovely next to your manger scene, and I love the idea of the open bible there too! It is always so nice find a bargain, and have a place to put it too! Have a wonderful day! :)
ReplyDeleteThe lanterns were only $5 to begin with! I was so happy to find them at half price the day after Christmas -- only wish I had picked up more!
DeleteYes, when I saw the nativity with the open Bible on Sandi's Christmas blog, I knew I wanted to do the same sort of thing. So meaningful!
I love your whole nativity display! What a dear heirloom to have from your Dad. Christmas story scripture by lamp light! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteChristmas story scripture by lamplight! That is a wonderful way to describe it, Mrs. Smith! Yes, the wooden stable is a wonderful heirloom. So thankful to have it.
DeleteBeautiful lantern and next to the most important person in the universe!! Love the prayer book !
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cindy! The little red New Testament is one that belonged to one of my daughters, so it is even more precious. Thanks for stopping by. Please visit anytime!
DeleteMrs. T,
ReplyDeleteLove the cozy feel that your lantern gives. :) I love that your Nativity is homemade as well. Special that your Dad made one for all the married children as well. The little new testament open by it is a great idea. :) I LOVE after Christmas sales.
Thanks, Nikki! If I ever find more lanterns at that price, I will get another one. I love the cozy feel too, and would often light the candle in it while having my quiet time in the morning.
DeleteYes, I was so thankful that my dad somehow found the time to make those Nativities for the married kids. Nice to know the tradition goes on in their homes and that their kids grow up with something handmade by Great-Grampa. I loved the idea of the New Testament as well -- it emphasizes the truth that this Christmas story is true, straight from the pages of Scripture.
I can hardly resist an after-Christmas sale, especially when things go to 90% off!
I LOVE lanterns! I have 3 for indoors and one for outdoors. And shoot! I leave them up all year round ;) HAHA! What a deal on yours, too!
ReplyDeleteI think lanterns would be great to leave up all year round. If I had been really thinking, I would have bought at least 2 when I found them for that price. I thought they were sort of ordinary, I guess. But once I got that one home and lit a tea light in it, I realized that it looked pretty nice!
ReplyDelete