Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Disney-Style Holidays at Home

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Welcome to those of you joining me from Can Do It Mom AKA Mouse Fan Diane and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the  Final stop on our Magical Blogorail.

blogorail logo (peach) I am just thrilled to be taking a ride on the brand new PEACH Blogorail Loop this month (not to be confused with the ORANGE loop, of which I am a regular member)!  They needed a fill-in and I was honored to step in!

Our topic is Celebrating Holidays in the Parks or Disney-style at Home.  I’m certainly no expert in this area, but here goes . . .

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We have never actually visited Disney during any of the holidays.  Long, long ago (in 1987, to be exact), Steve Birnbaum told me (via Birnbaum’s  Guide to Walt Disney World) to avoid holidays at the parks (unless, of course, I wanted to face big crowds)

This has always stuck in the back of my mind (along with several other hints, tips, and suggestions that I read in that first-of-many Birnbaum’s guides).  We’re a homeschooling family who can pretty much vacation anytime, so we do our best to work around those crowds.

That being said, however, the more that I hear and read about the holidays at Disney, the more I’d like to experience them – just once! I’d love to see Disney decked out in all its Christmas finery.  I’d very much enjoy ringing in the New Year at my favorite place.  And, despite the fact that I’m not a huge fan of Halloween, I’d like to see it at Disney (because Disney does everything right!) I’ll stick to summer holidays here in PA, where it’s not so hot!

But, since I don’t have any experiences to go on, I’m going with the 2nd half of the  topic which is “Disney-Style at Home” . . .

new camera testing 024 Last year was a tough year for me and my family as we lost my best friend to  cancer in March. I thought I’d be ok ‘til Christmas rolled around; but I wasn’t.  I didn’t even feel like putting up our Christmas tree; and I especially didn’t feel like using all the old country-style ornaments that always adorned our tree (especially not the ones that Sue and I had worked to craft together).  Yet, I knew that I needed to buck up and decorate for my kids.  So, I went out and purchased ALL NEW ornaments for our tree.  I wanted it to look totally different.  I bought a bunch of the new bright, cheery ornaments in jewel tone colors (teal, purple, lime green, etc.)  I even  bought a new star for on top. 

new camera testing 018 And my absolute favorite ornament finds were these treasures from the Disney Store.  Yep, a set of 7 ornaments (one for each dwarf) in just the pretty, cheery colors that I was going for!

Despite the fact that I broke our  tree stand and we had to tie our tree fast to the wall (see the jute in the picture above?!), I loved looking at our cheery, bright, Disney tree – and I can’t wait to decorate our (new) tree with these fun ornaments again this year.  Plus, I hope to add more Disney ornaments as well!

Disney makes me happy and it helped make our Christmas much more special last year!  What about you?  Do you have any Disney-themed holidays that you like to celebrate?  (I was going to talk about our new self-created Disney holidays, but my post is already pretty long – so I’ll save that for another  time!)

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Thank you for joining Magical Blogorail Peach this month. We will be back Tuesday, December 6th with an all new theme. If you are looking for more Disney magic, you can make your way over to The Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ 400 Miles to Disneyland
2nd Stop ~ Disney in our Blood
3rd Stop ~ Joanna and her Amazing Technicolor Interwebs
4th Stop ~ Can Do It Mom AKA Mouse Fan Diane
Final Stop ~ Heidi’s Head (you are here!)

12 comments:

Christina Mumpower said...

I love those Dwarf ornaments. I'm glad they were able to help bring a little cheer into a tough Christmas. Disney has a way of doing that, doesn't it? :)

Heidi Strawser said...

Yes! Disney totally brings cheer, even in tough times.
I think that's why I like to visit as often as I can. It's the one place on earth where I feel truly happy and like I don't have a care in the world!

DebSays said...

I'm so glad you were able to ease your pain with a Disney Christmas.  It's a tough time of year to feel sad. We lost my MIL in November and I felt a similar sadness over decorating and celebrating. 

Heidi Strawser said...

Yes, it's almost like you feel guilty or something.
I'm hoping this Christmas is easier.

Beth Green said...

what a sweet story!  I hope this Christmas will be easier and you'll continue to make new memories around your tied up Disney tree! :)

Heidi Strawser said...

Oh, I'm not tying it up this year - this year I'm going back to my true love - which is a REAL Christmas tree. :)
I, too, hope this Christmas will be easier. Thanks!

MouseFanDiane said...

I loved your post Heidi and yes if you get a chance to go during  a holiday, yes it will be crowded but it will be fun too and seeing all the decoration up close is awesome..  Thank you for joining our loop this month..

blog_400miles said...

Hi Heidi!  Thanks for filling in on the Peach loop!  I loved your story of your tree and how meaningful it was for you.

Heidi Strawser said...

I enjoyed hanging out with you peach loopers this time around! It was fun!

Capturing Magical Memories said...

I love the tree rigging!  We buy one ornament each year while at Disney World.  My husband loves putting them on the tree and talking aobut the year we got it. 

Heidi Strawser said...

Yes, that's classic, isn't it?!
That's what happens when you get your tree all set up and decorated, then decide you want it at another location.
In dragging said tree, I broke the tree stand. Oh well - truth is, I love a real tree much more anyway!

Beth D. said...

We have two Christmas trees.  One for all of "regular" ornaments that represent our lives milestones, but also our Disney tree.  This tree has only Disney ornaments, a Minnie tree topper and even a Disney tree skirt.  The kids love this tree and we have a great time through the season playing a Disney I Spy game as we admire the ornaments.  I am so sorry to read about your friend, but happy that you have Disney to life your spirits when you need it the most!

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