The set of three kings

 In today's installment of "Around the House", I am going to stay with my Christmas theme since it is still December and talk about one of my favorite Christmas decorations.  That would be my set of three kings.  I absolutely love them and make sure that they are displayed every Christmas season.  I do not have a specific place that I put them every year.  I like to change it up.  This year, they are on my buffet.  Some years they are on top of the bookcase, some years they adorn the curio cabinet.  I like switching it up every year.

Like most of my antiques, my desire to have my own set of kings began with the family home in Wingate.  When we were cleaning out the house and going through Aunt Sara's Christmas decorations, we came upon her set of kings.  These particular kings are ceramic.  They are about 12 inches tall and just grand looking.  I do not know if Sara painted hers or if Grandmother did.  They were both very good at painting ceramics and made many things over the years.  Anyway, Grandmother gave the kings to my Aunt Jan.  While I did not complain, I made it clear that I wanted some one day.

Fast forward several years to 1989.  It was my birthday.  My 15th birthday to be exact.  My favorite gift I got that year, in fact the only one I remember getting that year, was my own set of kings.  Grandmother painted them just for me.  One red, one green, one blue.  I adored them. They became a part of our Christmas decor every year.  Grandmother painted many things just for me over the years, but the kings are my favorite.  She knew how much I wanted a set and she made it happen.

Now, every time I look at them, I am blessed with feelings of nostalgia and family.  I will one day pass these on to someone who will love them as much as I do.  It is this kind of decoration that adds a special layer to my Christmas holidays and I am thankful to have them.