Monday, November 10, 2014

A new Christmas teapot

On Saturday I visited a big T.J. Maxx/HomeGoods store in Marietta that I haven't been to in a while. I had a writer's group meeting in the area, so afterward I buzzed by to see if they had some Christmas goodies out. Indeed they did, including this pretty Christmas teapot!

I know from experience, and from reading other tea blogs, that it can be hard to find a Christmas teapot at all, much less at a good price. This one from Gracie's China was just $12.99, so it went in my cart pretty quickly. And if you'd like a shopping report, I can also tell you they had plenty of Spode Christmas Tree pattern teacup and saucer sets ($4.99), Spode Christmas Tree pattern teapots with peppermint cane handles ($19.99), assorted chintz and poinsettia design tea-for-one sets ($9.99), and something fun but that I'd have no idea what to do with, a giant gingerbread man cookie cutter that I'd estimate was between four and five feet tall ($49.99).

After my mom passed away so quickly and unexpectedly last fall, I must say the holidays were pretty dreary. I think it's safe to say my whole family was in survival mode, just wanting Thanksgiving and Christmas to get over with and sail into the history books. A godly friend who had lost her own mother earlier in the year had told me that joy WOULD return to my life, and though I had a hard time believing her then, I can see now that she was right. So even though I see all the pretty Christmas things in the stores and miss getting to ooh and aah over them with my mom, I remember to be thankful for all the years we did get to do those things together, and often now I like to imagine what pretty things *she* is seeing in Heaven that I can look forward to seeing for myself one day. Meanwhile, I know she would not like it if she thought everyone was moping around down here in her absence. So I guess that's my long-winded way of saying, I am soooo looking forward to getting back in the Christmas spirit this year! Are you Christmas shopping yet? Have you decided how you want to decorate? I'm thinking of ditching the blue and brown Christmas decor from last year and going back to good old red and green. I'd love to hear your plans!

10 comments:

  1. Red and green - can't go wrong there! And that teapot is a lovely way to start the decorating. (I know the year after my Mom died in Nov. I basically just put the decorations out for my children's sake, but after a few years I got "into" it again.) I'm looking forward to Christmas decorating this year, although I make myself wait until after Thanksgiving to start the process. Enjoy!

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  2. Thank you for the shopping report. It will help with the Christmas gifts. I have started my my shopping but will wait for the red and green to go up after Thanksgiving. Last week in Macy they were playing Christmas songs. So out of place especially when it was 75 outside.

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  3. I love your new teapot, and I love cardinals. I am packed and waiting for my house to sell so I can move. I want to get back near the stores so I can find beautiful things like this. Thank you for sharing and letting me enjoy your treasures. Blessings

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  4. Looks like I need to make a TJ Maxx "run" real SOON!

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  5. Love the teapot and when I saw it I remembered you lost your mom last year and how she loved a good bargain. She would be proud.
    Busily trying to get shopping done before Thanksgiving and have ordered cards. I like all that done with, then I can just enjoy the season and bake and play. I am thinking red and green with touches of glitter and pink. We will see how it goes.

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  6. Very pretty! I try to wait until after Thanksgiving to get in the Christmas spirit.

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  7. What a pretty teapot! I'm so glad that you regained your Christmas spirit this year. I like to finish my holiday shopping before December in order to avoid the crazy mall crowds. I usually put up the Christmas decorations in late November so I have plenty of time to enjoy them. Thanks to the CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) Member Sale, I was able to score a set of 3 Royal Albert mini teapot with cups and saucers for only $23.99 at our local Royal Doulton outlet store!

    Our HomeSense/T.J. Maxx stores also have Christmas teawares out but nothing has caught my eye thus far. I was excited though to find a giant (almost 3 feet!) stocking Advent calendar at a HomeSense. I wanted to create a Tea Advent calendar but am not crafty enough to create my own. So I was thrilled when I finally found a calendar with pockets big enough for teabags (take that Pinterest!)!

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  8. What a beautiful Christmas teapot! Blessings to you this holiday season - may you continue to find peace and comfort as the memories of your mother surround you with love and joy.

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  9. Cardinals are so special. An integral part of my home state, they are so lovely against fresh snow. I love them!

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