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Reindeer Games

December 20, 2019

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Don't throw away those old, worn out wooden Christmas decorations. They can be updated and repaired.

Here's how!

Wood Chipping On Wooden Reindeer Decor

Many, many years ago, I bought myself a reindeer.

It was before I had kids to coo over him and before I had my own home to decorate, but he was so cute, staring at me from behind the glass, I just knew I had to have him.

It was our first Christmas as a married couple, our first with a shared space and apartment all our own.

We bought a tree, some discount ornaments, a few strands of lights and a pair of stockings, but as far as holiday decor went, that's all the budget could bear.

We had new jobs, rent, car payments and student loans. We had gifts to buy and wedding expenses to pay off. Things were tight and, honestly, way back then, while I enjoyed decorating, it wasn't really my thing.

Crafting, yes, always, but I hadn't been bitten by the decor bug just yet.

So it was kind of shock when I fell under this little guy's spell. He was sitting in the window of a shop in the village. I was picking up dry cleaning, but my feet would not let me pass.

I had to go in for a closer look...and while I wasn't in the habit of buying presents for myself at $14.99 it was a done deal.

I remember showing him to my mom, unwrapping him from the tissue paper, with a wide smile.

Isn't he cute?? I swear I was beaming. I felt like a grown up and a little kid all at the same time.

That was over 25 years ago and that wooden reindeer has been displayed in each of our homes for every Christmas since.

Tabletop Wooden Christmas Reindeer

He's been pawed at by kitties, wrestled with by small boys and dolled up by small girls. Over the years, he's taken quite a beating.

So much so, that this year, when I pulled him out of the bin, I put him back in. Gasp. The end of an era.

Then the sentimentalist in me remembered the conversation with my mom, the pawing, the wresting matches and the stroller rides and thought, there's got to be something I could do to help.

Special pieces should be saved.

Which is why I'm sharing this with you today. Consider it Christmas food for thought.

Perhaps you have a favorite tattered treasure that's sitting out the holidays this year in a dark corner of the basement.

Or maybe you're looking at something right now that got a reprieve from death row for just one more season, but is on the list to get tossed in January.

Maybe they deserve a permanent pardon.

Like my reindeer. And most of the time, it doesn't take much.

With O Tannenbaum playing in the background I dug out my supplies and got to work. After all, if Charlie Brown could save his tree I could certainly revive this guy.

I started by removing the crushed raffia ribbon and old garland. So much cuter already...

Wooden Reindeer In Need Of Repair on kitchen table

Next, I dug it out my bags of ribbon. I seriously have way too many spools and I rarely ever use them.

Christmas Ribbon on a table

I've accumulated tons of spools over the years, so my reindeer had many choices. I tried them all out and picked my favorite. Who doesn't love a good fashion makeover?

Wooden Reindeer Ribbon Choices Collage

Just about all of the ribbons I've collected have wire in them. It makes it much easier to work with and the finished products hold their shape much better and much longer.

When I pack items away for the season, whether it's a door wreath or a holiday item, I flatten them a bit.

The wire makes it easier to fluff them back to life when I need them the next year.

If you get them on sale, they're generally no more expensive than those without.

Reindeer With A Happy Holidays Bow around neck

Once he was properly dressed in a Happy Holidays bow, I noticed that his face was a little worse for wear, as well.

Chipped Wooden Reindeer Face with arrow marking the spot

That was easy enough to fix.

I used a furniture marker <---these are my favorites...to fill in the dented, scraped and damaged spots.

I've use these markers before with great results so I knew they do the trick here, as well.

Furniture Repair Markers test on paper

I simply colored in the spots that needed help gently with the marker and then we went over those spots with a paper towel with a paper towel to blend.

If the spot needed more coverage, I went over it again. The markers work like stain, several light coats work better than one heavy one.

Wooden Reindeer  For Christmas in living room

When I was all done, I placed him to the living room where he's spent the last 15 or so Christmases.

My sweet old favorite.

With a brand new bow.

Making me smile all over again.

Perfect.

Do you have any sentimental favorites in need of repair?




Kim Signature


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  1. I can relate to being excited when first being married and making decor purchases. You feel so proud.

    He's adorable

    Cindy

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    1. Thank you, Cindy and yes!! You get it..that's exactly what it was! I felt like a real grown-up. 😉

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  2. Kim he is really cute. That face is adorable. Love the new ribbon on him too. The furniture markers well genius to fix him up. I should maybe use those on my face for a face lift lol! Happy Holidays. Merry Christmas enjoy.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. Furniture markers are amazing, Kris...and yes, I have thought about a face marker too. If only!! Haha!! Hugs to you!

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  3. He is so darling. I'm glad that you gave him a makeover.

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  4. That is such a cute reindeer Kim. Merry Christmas to you and your family dear friend!

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    1. Thank you so much, Mary. I hope your holidays we're wonderful. xo

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  5. We also have a reindeer that I purchased for our first Christmas. I'm inspired. I'll have to write a post about him next Christmas!

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    1. Oh...I can't wait to read all about your sweet friend, Ann!!

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  6. I so happy he has such a loving home! Cutest face ever! thanks

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    1. Thanks so much, Mary! It was hard to pack him away this year. Too cute!!

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  7. He's pretty cute and certainly worth a reprieve from 'death row'--the box in the back of the basement. lol xo Diana

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    1. Haha! He's back in the box now, Diana, but all ready for his appearance next year! xo

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  8. I love this, Kim! I have hung onto many pieces for sentimental reasons...I'm inspired by the idea of giving them a little spruce up! Merry Christmas!

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    1. Oh Linda, I'm so glad you found some inspiration here today!!

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  9. Oh he is adorable!

    I've been tough on myself in the last few years ...seriously decluttering....though I do have a few things from newlywed days. But honestly I cannot remember that far back in my life anymore! Life before kids? Did that really happen? My husband has to remind me sometimes.

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    1. It was a long time ago, Jenny, but I still have a few remnants hanging around...like this little guy!!

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  10. Kim, he is the sweetest little thing and certainly deserves his story and all the love you have shown for him..Merry Christmas sweet friend..xxoJudy

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  11. No keepsakes in need of repair at the moment, but I might see if that furniture repair marker works on my own face.

    Love your reindeer.

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    1. Ha! You're not the only one who wants to try that Jeri!! I think I might be first in line!

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  12. Aaaaawwww, no wonder he stopped you in your tracks all those years ago Kim. He is adorable and totally worth saving too. I hope he gets to spend many more Christmas times with you and your lovely family

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    1. His face is just too sweet. I don't know how the original artist parted with him, but I'm happy he stumbled into my holidays!!

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  13. Hi Kim, that is just the cutest reindeer. You fixed him up so nice with the ribbon and the touch up with the marker! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hugs, Julie

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    1. Thanks Julie!! It was a quick fix and he looks fresher now. Hope your holidays were fabulous!!

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  14. Aw, he's so cute. I'm so glad you gave him a makeover and a new lease on life, Kim. He deserves it after all those years of devoted service. ;) Hugs, Nancy

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    1. Thanks Nancy!! He really is a special little guy! Hugs!!

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  15. Oh he's such a cutie, Kim, I would have been rushing right into that store to bring him home as well!!

    Merry Christmas sweet friend xoxo

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    1. He was too cute to pass up, Debbie!! Hope your holidays were fabulous!!

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  16. Sweet as can be my friend, we have treasures as well that are worn, but are on display. They are memories of our life together, chipped and some flaws.. I guess just like us, not every holiday has been perfect, we can laugh and cry about those as the years pass. As we sit back sharing stories of the years, those treasures continue to soak in our memories and maybe getting another chip or two.
    Love, Carla

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    1. I think we're often too quick to toss what we should hold on to, Carla. I think one of my most favorite treasures is my Frankenpot, as I lovingly refer to it. It's broken and tattered but the memories of its damage are what makes it special!

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  17. Merry Christmas Kim!! Your work is wonderful. I'm always impressed with you!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Angela! I hope your holidays were wonderful!

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  18. He is very sweet. I love that face! I'm glad you decided to keep him and renew. Sometimes a bow makes allthe difference.

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    1. I totally agree Florence!! Everyone needs a new accent every now and then!

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  19. He is a sweetheart! Well worth keeping him perky.

    On our first Christmas many many years ago, I bought an ornament for our Christmas tree. It cost $1.75, a pearly white ornament trimmed in real sterling silver. And it just about cost me a divorce because each of us made about $35 a week that first year of marriage. And now he proudly shows it to everyone, has for many years. Sometimes a woman knows best but when will a man ever learn that?

    Merry Christmas, Kim,
    Dewena

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    1. A true treasure indeed, Dewena!! I bet you loved peeking at it this season...it sounds lovely!!

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  20. I love that you kept him all these years. I'm always so quick to give things away. I wish I had saved some of the items we purchased together after being married. Love your furniture repair marker. I cracked up at The Jeri's comment above about using it on his/her face!!!!

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    1. Ha! That is pretty funny, Brandi! I think a lot of us here are at that age now when a little marker fix might make us feel better.

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  21. When my sister and I shop the thrift stores we often come away a little bit sad at some of the stuff that was obviously loved and then discarded by a subsequent generation who doesn't share the sentimentality. I have to admit I have rescued more than one such object even though I really didn't need it. Glad your treasure is looking so good with his facelift and enjoying another Christmas season with you.

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    1. I feel the same way, Lorri. I just actually came from the thrift store and it seems that a lot of people emptied their houses after Christmas. I didn't pick up anything sentimental looking today, but I always wonder about the items...

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