Natural greens decorate our house with simple red ribbons. Even poolside gets decorations of ivy topiary and bay laurel. The hydrangea seems to be holding up during the rain, sun and cold. Living greens and cuttings of holly, noble fir and other Christmas greens become festive with a simple touch of red ribbon.
Holly from my daughter's garden is the perfect accent for the courtyard fountain.
Given to us by my parents, this has become a Ruggiero family tradition of creating a Creche (Nativity scene) as the center piece of our Christmas decorations. These figures are based on the drawings of a talented Bavarian child, Berta Hummel who later became Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel in a German convent. Born in the early 1900's Berta was encouraged by her father to draw and use her artistic talents. From her drawings molds were created in the 1930's from which these figurines were made. Each year the youngest in our family places the Christ child in the manager. Peace on earth good will to all men!
