Christmas Trees, Trains and More - 2024

[Bruette]

Beautiful Louis

Our stuff will go up tomorrow.

Thank you, Mike!

I see from the photo I need to do something with the wires from the lights on the back left side of the tree, but that should be simple enough. This year the tree and lights were all me. I'm off and "running" with the "a little when I can" philosophy. I spent parts of three days getting the tree, lights and train ready. But that doesn't matter to me. All that matters is I got it done! The tree is ready for my wife to decorate. We like to have our trees decorated by Saint Nicholas Day. We could be done early this year, how about that!

No one paid any attention to my Thanksgiving train. That didn't dampen my excitement. I set the trains up for me. This is our eighth holiday season in this house, and this is the first Thanksgiving train. It must be close to ten years, and I couldn't be happier.

Next, I'll attend to the tree and trains in the Family Room. It's hard to believe that it is nearly complete!

I hope you can post some photos of your Christmas and thanks again for your kind words.

 

[AuburnCentral]

Last years

 

[AuburnCentral]

Always had a train under the tree for our daughters then when they got older I bought them their own so they can continue the tradition. The oldest has the hogwart express and the younger has the polar express

 

[NorthTexasRailroad]

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We have the Christmas tree up and lit, but still have to decorate. Did get the Xmas train set up though. Use my starter set GP40 with Xmas cars that I've purchased separately. We've gotten a new one each year with this year's being a gondola with little Xmas trees for its load (of course).

 

[AuburnCentral]

Brave man. Our train goes under once it’s decorated so no accident happens

 

[Iron Horseman]

Brave man. Our train goes under once it’s decorated so no accident happens

Agree. I have destroyed many a track segment by putting the track out first.

Nice set of cars though. Think I like the Happy Hooves hopper best, but what is is supposed to be? Pelleted reindeer food?

 

[Bruette]

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We have the Christmas tree up and lit, but still have to decorate. Did get the Xmas train set up though. Use my starter set GP40 with Xmas cars that I've purchased separately. We've gotten a new one each year with this year's being a gondola with little Xmas trees for its load (of course).
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I love it! Thank you for sharing it with us!

I don't think I have seen any of those cars before. Maybe/probably the Polar Express car, but I can't be certain. "Sled-Ex" that is too cool!

Brave man. Our train goes under once it’s decorated so no accident happens

I used to set up the train last, but now I find it increasingly difficult to reach under the tree. My tracks go down first.

Agree. I have destroyed many a track segment by putting the track out first.

One of the things I love about Lionel Fastrack is its durability. I have stepped on it many times with no breakage. I should mention I always have carpet underneath the track, which helps to absorb my weight.

My little wife decorates the trees, and she is sure footed and graceful. I was too at one time, but now I'm more concerned about falling Although I have to put the tree toppers on. My little Angel is vertically challenged

 

[Bruette]

Advent Sunday

 

[NorthTexasRailroad]

Agree. I have destroyed many a track segment by putting the track out first.

Nice set of cars though. Think I like the Happy Hooves hopper best, but what is is supposed to be? Pelleted reindeer food?

Thank you! I'm assuming something like that. All of the cars are Lionel (only Lionel that I own) except for the boxcar which is Bachmann.

 

[Bruette]

Here is one of our three Advent wreaths.

This is our "green" Advent wreath. It has LED candles and rechargeable AAA batteries.

 

[logandsawman]

Officially time to put out the Nativity at our house:

Also, my wife got a new tree from the thrift store, perfect for indoors!

Wife says the Nativity is carved from olive wood and was made in Bethlehem, was a gift to her from her sister many years ago.

Dave LASM

 

[Bruette]

Officially time to put out the Nativity at our house:

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Also, my wife got a new tree from the thrift store, perfect for indoors!

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Wife says the Nativity is carved from olive wood and was made in Bethlehem, was a gift to her from her sister many years ago.

Dave LASM

Magnificent tree and a truly special Nativity, thank you for sharing it.

You reminded me I have not yet posted a photo of our Nativity in the family room. It was the first part that I completed. Of course it was, Jesus is the reason for the season in my world! I'm still working on the trains in the family room. Technical difficulties, please stand by.

 

[Bruette]

I keep the spirit of Christmas despite the world around me. For my wife and I our Catholic traditions remind us of the true promise of Christmas. I set up our decorations and my trains for me to enjoy. Thankfully, my wife shares my love of Christmas decorations too. The trains, not so much, but she appreciates the joy they bring me.

Advent serves as a reminder that Christmas embodies hope, peace, joy, and love.

Christmas has transcended faith; it is celebrated by many, including non-believers. For most who observe Christmas, the spirit of goodwill towards others prevails. This is a wonderful gift for the holiday season.

The Merry Bells will soon be ringing.

Enjoy the Holidays Everybody!

I pray we all have a Merry Christmas.

 

[Bruette]

Our Family Room Nativity - 2024

 

[Bruette]

Reposted from the Coffee Shop. With the original posters' permission of course, thank you gentlemen!

CHRISTMAS has always been a big deal even though both grandkids know Santa is not real even though the granddaughter with Down Syndrome doesn’t totally get it. We celebrate with family and friends but gifting has gotten less.

Decorating I have a service doing the outside lights the last 6 years and 3 different places. That was a 2 year gift originally from the daughter and now my brother gifts that to us. Good thing too because if it’s higher than a step ladder I am now forbidden from using it. Inside when I retired in 2014 Christmas was 33 bins not including the lights I put up outside. Tomorrow I can bring out the main tree and 4 bins. The other 9 bins are mainly dishes and tablecloths. Terry has reduced greatly over the years. The outdoor lights were turned on the day after Thanksgiving

TRAINS, I don’t ever remember a train around any trees in our family. My first train for Christmas at 7 years old was a 4x8 dad built, Lionel

Christmas - We've been cutting back on the Christmas/holiday decorating for a few years now. When I retired, I had the time and desire to do more. Wife on the other hand retired 7 years later and wants to do less. I went along with her wishes in the spirit of harmony.
On the subject of Christmas and trains, Dad had an 8' x 12' Lionel layout in the basement in Brooklyn. At Christmas, he'd bring a loop of spare track, and an engine and a few cars upstairs to put around the tree. After we finally moved to Dallas, he would set up a very large temporary layout (about 400 sq ft) on the living room and dining room floor after we moved all of the furniture out. The Christmas tree was mounted in the midst of all of the track. He would show off by running 7 trains at once using 2 Lionel ZW transformers. He had to run an extension cord to one of them, because our breakers would flip off when they were both on the same circuit.

Learning about the various traditions of Christmas celebrations is truly captivating, and I find great enjoyment in it!

From modest to massive, all celebrations of Christmas are wondrous to me.

 

[NorthBrit]

Christmas Traditions

Up to Christmas Eve Christmas music is played; be it popular songs or carols.

The Christmas tree go up between now and the tenth December. We used to have three real ones each year; then dropped it down to two. The Christmas trees we have now are artificial. (We have five, but only put two up.)

Christmas Eve we cook a turkey before our children and grandchildren visit, arriving for five o'clock pm. After a beef sandwich with a lot of gravy it is time for the reading of 'The Night Before Christmas'. Our son has taken the mantle for the reading from me. Funny how he finishes at 7.20pm. Home time 7.30.pm.

Dawn and I then settle down for the evening. Listen to more carol music and watch a Christmas film on television.
She then leaves a drink and sweet mince pie out for Santa and carrots for the reindeer, before going to bed.
I then help Santa by placing presents around the tree. I notice Santa has left snowy footprints from the chimney and along the carpet. After helping Santa with the drink and mince pie it is time for me to go to bed.

Christmas Day after breakfast we open our presents. A visit to our son DiLs house. Seeing our three grandchildren open their presents.
Then visit or daughter and SiL. There we have our Christmas Dinner. (We take the cooked turkey) After dinner it is time to listen to the King's Speech. Dawn listens intently whereas I do not. (Though a Royalist I dislike King Charles 3)
Anyway, more presents are opened and before long we take the journey home and a relaxing evening. I can have a drink of alcohol now.

Boxing Day is an easy going day doing as we please.

When we had a new roof put on the property, Dawn recorded on he phone some of the noise they made (walking on the roof and muffled sound of talking). She tells the grandchildren, "Listen children. Reindeer on the roof and Santa talking to them. I had to go to sleep very quickly otherwise I would get no presents."