Country Living December 2018

I recently stumbled across a 12-piece set of candy-colored Shiny Brite ornaments. The price: $178. And while they were possibly a highly collectible sort (sadly, I don’t have our What Is It Worth? appraisers on speed dial!), I must say these glimmering baubles gave me a little flicker shock. A six-piece set was originally sold at Woolworth’s for 2 cents, after all. Then again, I wasn’t entirely surprised. As a frequent visitor to barn sales and antiques shops, I’ve noticed Shiny Brite prices rising as steadily as Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. Their growing value makes sense: There are only so many in the world (see a few of them on page 61!), and a massive generation of baby boomers—many of whom see their childhoods happily reflected in these glass…

Holiday Movies 24/7! PROGRAMMING GUIDE SAT NOVEMBER 3 Christmas Joy 8pm/7c SUN NOVEMBER 4 Road to Christmas 8pm/7c SAT NOVEMBER 10 It's Christmas, Eve 8pm/7c SUN NOVEMBER 11 Christmas in Love 8pm/7c SAT NOVEMBER 17 Christmas at Graceland® 8pm/7c SUN NOVEMBER 18 Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa 8pm/7c WED NOVEMBER 21 Christmas at Grand Valley 8pm/7c THURS NOVEMBER 22 Christmas at the Palace 8pm/7c FRI NOVEMBER 23 Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe 8pm/7c SAT NOVEMBER 24 Christmas Everlasting 8pm/7c A Hallmark Hall of Fame Presentation SUN NOVEMBER 25 A Shoe Addict’s Christmas 8pm/7c SAT DECEMBER 1 Mingle All the Way 8pm/7c SUN DECEMBER 2 A Majestic Christmas 8pm/7c SAT DECEMBER 8 Homegrown Christmas 8pm/7c SUN DECEMBER 9 Christmas Wonderland 8pm/7c SAT DECEMBER 15 A Gingerbread Romance 8pm/7c SUN DECEMBER 16…

FIELD NOTES The Trick to Tying a Bow Your secret to a picture-perfect finish for trees, wreaths, and presents? Two (not one!) wire-edged ribbons. STEP ONE Cut a piece of wire-edged ribbon. Bring the edges to the center and staple. STEP TWO Cut a second piece of ribbon and tie to middle of the loop to create tails. STEP THREE Move the tails to the back of the bow, trim to desired length, and fluff loops.…

A BRIEF HISTORY OF… Lionel’s Postwar Steam Locomotive Train Sets WHAT IT’S WORTH: Up to $500 WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: When young inventor Joshua Lionel Cowen created his first model train, The Electric Express, it was made for display in toy store holiday windows, perhaps cementing the train’s now-iconic placement under the Christmas tree. The train’s popularity—and the country’s fascination with the railroad—prompted him to launch his then-New York City-based Lionel Manufacturing Co. in 1900 with a standard gauge electric locomotive. After World War II, Lionel expanded its O-gauge steam locomotive offerings, including a series of “O27” gauge train sets, like the one pictured here. Priced as low as $19.95, the starter sets had plenty of tempting add-on cars and accessories that could be acquired year after year. Although times…

ENTER TO WIN THIS TREE (AND MORE)! see p. 114 Sweet & Sugary BH Fraser Fir Tree from $400 for 5.5'; balsamhill.com Sugared Candy Garland $13; theholidaybarn.com Topper $30; theholidaybarn.com Peppermint Lollipop Ornament $3; hobbylobby.com Peppermint Ribbon Candy Ornaments $15 for 2; amazon.com Ribbon Candy Gift Wrap $6.50 for 2 sheets; snowandgraham.com Peppermint Ribbon $3 per spool; papermart.com *For full details, see page 114. Nordic & Neutral Faux Noble Tree from $198 for 7'; shopterrain.com Chunky Knit Tree Skirt from $50; corartistry.etsy.com Wool Bead Garland $34; creativecoop.com for retailers Papier-Mâché Star Topper $43; jet.com Jute Ball Ornament $6; jamaligarden.com Fabric Angel Ornament $5; creativecoop.com for retailers Faux Bois Gold Gift Wrap $7 per roll; casparionline.com Ribbon $7 for 6 yards; thatchandthistleco.etsy.com ’50s & Festive Tinkerbell Silver Tree from $200 for 5'; treetopia.com Blushing Sequin Tree Skirt $195; texastopazbydeborah.etsy.com Sorbet Glass Garland $100; glitterville.com Glitter Star…

JOLLY OLD STRATEGY Sweeten up the Tree Stand A Brach’s butter candy tin proves the perfect base for a small tree. Melanie also displays thematic vintage food vessels—Bing Crosby Ice Cream, Sno-kreem Shortening—throughout the home. Melanie Butcher (above, with husband Tyler and kids Toby and Maisie) is on constant Santa watch. But instead of looking skyward, she combs thrift stores, antiques markets, and estate sales year-round in search of St. Nick, as well as a host of other old-fashioned holiday decorations including ornaments, linens, and all things holiday. The quest began 10 years ago, when Melanie received a set of new Christopher Radko Shiny Brites. “It wasn’t long before I began searching for the old ones,” she says. From there, she was hooked. “I have a real love for old…