2013 Christmas Tree Photo Contest ::: VOTING NOW CLOSED

WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

The votes have been tallied and I am glad to offer congratulations to the 2013 Christmas Tree Photo Contest winner, Cyndi, with Appreciating Christmas!

 Thank you to everyone to took the time to enter a photograph in the contest and further thanks to anyone to took the time to vote for their favorite image.  We hope you had a wonderful Christmas holiday and are stepping out into this new year with intention!

Warmly,

Jilian and Robert

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[Peace Within Necklace — sterling silver, copper, enamel and ocean polished quartz pebble from Oregon]

Welcome, one and all, to the 2013 Christmas Tree Photo Contest.  Allow us to briefly explain voting rules and then please enjoy yourselves scrolling through the entries!

RULES FOR VOTING:

1.  One vote per person please!

2.  We would prefer that you do not vote for your own photo entry, if you entered a photo.  This is in keeping with the spirit of this contest.

3.  Everyone is welcome to vote, whether you entered a tree in the contest or not — the winner of this contest is the people’s choice!

4.  Cast your vote for ONE PHOTOGRAPH only, use the name of the tree to cast your vote.  The photo information is found beneath the image it belongs to.

5.  Cast your vote in the comment section of this blog post in order for your vote to be counted.  Thank you!

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Thank you to everyone who took the time to send us a photograph and thank you also for all the lovely notes that came with the images by email.  It was a true delight preparing this contest for you this year.  As you may have guessed, the necklace featured in the photograph above it the prize for the winning photographer this year.  It will be shipped out without delay once the winning tree is posted on January 3, 2014.

Merry Christmas to you all and may the most beloved tree image win!

Love, Jillian & Robert

:::Post Scriptus:::

Forgive us, we had a slight glitch here with some of the photo entries.  It’s all fixed now.  If you submitted an image for the contest and do not see it here, please fire us an email and let us know it’s missing!

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My Reindeer — Laura Catherman — Bakersfield, CA

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Chill of Winter — Gary — Georgia

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Christmas On the Mountain — Eddy Roy — Durango Colorado

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Tropical Christmas — Melinda Harris — New Brunswick, Canada

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The Cotton Candy Express — Brandi — Minerva, Ohio

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Bad Kitty — Janice — Ontario Canada

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Bringing Her Home — Ray Davis — Delaware, USA

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Angel Tree — Angela — Washington D.C.

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The Great Tree — Brandon M. — Chicago, IL

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Ava’s First Christmas — Marshall — Jacksonville, FL

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Christmas Magic — Katie — Portland, OR

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The Boys Take Matters Into Their Own Hands — Jennifer — Christmas Tree Lane

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Night Lights — Celia Shoffnner — Middlesboro, Kentucky, USA

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Visions of Sugar Plums — Katrina Cummins — Lehi, Utah, USA

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Frills — Jahnavi — Mississippi, USA

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A Polaroid Christmas — Emily — Spokane, Washington, USA

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Tree Of Lights  — Lura Prestianni — Earth

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Cousins — Kathryn — Arkansas

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Christmas Solitude —  Katelyn — Roslyn, WA

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She’s a Beauty — Anne — West Corinth, Vermont

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Appreciating Christmas — Cyndi — Cincinnati, OH

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 Feral Cozy Cat Cowl — Caileigh —  Somewhere Over The Rainbow

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Jesse & Her Tree — Linda Peduzzi — Pawcatuck, Connecticut

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Do You See What I See?? — Janet — Rocky Mountain Front Range
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Cedars on the Icy Prairie — Sandra — Medicine Park, Oklahoma
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Pulling Needles Out Of A Rump — Becca — Bridgeport, Maine, USA
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I’m Just Looking For The Pickle — Sara — Longmont, CO
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Celtic Christmas — Dennis — San Diego, CA
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Christmas: Love at First Sight — Laura — Ontario, Canada
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Santa’s Helper —  Gay’l Yocom — Colorful Colorado!
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Up on the North Shore — Kyle — Duluth, Minnesota
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Bumble — Courtney Anderson — Winston Salem, North Carolina

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Miss G and the Christmas Tree — Rebecca — NW Ohio

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Tiny Tavia (& Freya!) and the Tremendous Tree….5 years later — Jessie Boehm — Ringoes, NJ USA

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Lot of Love with Simplicity — Canadce — Somewhere, Earth

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Mesmerized — Noah — Irvine, CA

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 Oliver’s First Christmas — Chelsea Beecher — Canton, NY

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Fa la la la la! Merry Christmas! — Jessica Grimm — Baltimore, MD

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X Marks the Tree — Jennifer — Ski Land

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You Have My Attention! — Lynn — Candy Land

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Monterey Merry Christmas Mermaid — DeeDee — Monterey, CA

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Angel Blessing — Brigita — Reading, UK

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A Magical Christmas —  Tina Ruble — Hillsboro, OH
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The Angel On Top Of My Christmas Tree — Mirjam — Groningen the Netherlands
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Christmas Angel (Great. Now I’ve got a wedgie) — Raven-haired Beauty — Spokane, WA
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She Wore a Yellow/Gold Ribbon — Hugh — Unknown
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SANTA PAWS — Ralph — Ladson, SC
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YOU MEAN, THIS ONE IS FOR ME!!!!!! — Deb Clancy — Sydney, Australia
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As Tall as the Clock — Radu Daniela — Romania, Onesti
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My beautiful Christmas Tree — Joey — South Jersey
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All That Shimmers — Crisco — Midwest
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Christmas Lights, Silent Nights: A Bedroom Tree — Melissa Housman — Austin, TX
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Proof that Miracles Can Happen — Tiffany — Lexington, North Carolina
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White Deer — Cindy — Pennsylvania
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Small Things, with Great Love — Sarah Beth — Huntington, WV
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Amongst the Trees Just Her Size — Erin — RI at Standley’s Tee Farm (featuring Molly)
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Santa? Is That You? — Eileen — Waxhaw, North Carolina
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The Magic of Christmas  – “When he thought no one was looking, Andrew liked to play with his baubles” — Catherine — Blackpool, England
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Snowshoe Tree — Marie – Sutton, AK
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Deployment Over, Home for Christmas — Jenny — Nebraska USA
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Blue Halo — Lynn — Wyoming
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Old Hands, Warm Hearts — Rian — Dawson City, Yukon
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Picture Perfect Christmas — Linda  (Mom) — Penn Valley, CA
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Ty’s first Christmas — Kristy — Vancouver Island, BC
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Christmas at Mama’s — Maija — Finland
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Little Star Under the Sea — Pat — Bradenton, FL
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Thistle Rays — Margita — U.K.
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Island Tree — Ginger — Near H2O

 

Comments

  1. As usual, this is HARD!! I could easily vote for at least 6!

    But I have to go with “SANTA PAWS – Ralph – Ladson, SC” – mostly because I want to know first where they got the cat sized Santa costume, and then actually got the cat to wear it (and sit for a photo)!!! This really is an achievement!

  2. Soooooo difficult! But I really fell in love with Santa’s Helper … and I’m not even a cat person. Fantastic photo! Thank you for the fun!
    xo

  3. SMALL THINGS, WITH GREAT LOVEj

    It touched my heart the most!

  4. She’s a Beauty!

  5. Chris Moore says

    My beautiful Christmas tree-Joey-South Jersey. It is so hopeful!!

  6. Feral Cozy Cat Cowl!

  7. Old Hands-warm heart. I love the color of the light when the sun never rises over the horizon.

  8. Christmas Solitude — what a dreamy photo (-:

  9. She’s a beauty! Love them all but that title made me smile.

  10. Merry Monterey Mermaid is my kinda tree for sure!!!

  11. It was very difficult for me to choose from so many beautiful pictures…
    Anyway, my vote is for: “A Magical Christmas” – Tina Ruble – Hillsboro, OH
    Congratulations for both of you for organising such lovely contest and for all the people who shared their christmas tree.

    A big hug for everyone from Argentina!

  12. Ode to the Christmas Tree Photo Contest

    The candles are lit
    I have my Santa socks on
    The soup’s on the stove
    The apple crumble’s nearly done.

    A token salad is assembled
    The scent of pine fills the air
    There’s candy canes in both pockets
    And K-pop thrumming in my ear.

    Not much snow on the ground
    But the trees are frosted white
    The neighbor’s dog gets the peace sign
    For waking me in the night!

    Some lovely gifts were unwrapped
    Although Santa was a slacker
    He left me an IOU with a smiley face
    And an already-pulled Christmas cracker!

    Yummy food has been eaten
    Dessert disappeared in haste
    Now just searching for stretchy pants
    With an elasticized waist!

    Jillian and Robert,
    You did it again.
    Spreading love and good cheer
    All across the land.

    Oh, that beautiful necklace
    What a fabulous prize
    The lucky recipient
    Will have stars in her eyes.

    So many wonderful photos
    Filled with love, faith and hope
    Hard to choose just one, however,
    “Santa’s Helper” gets my vote!

    xxx

  13. Ferrel cozy cat cowl

  14. She’s a Beauty

  15. Santa’s Helper is the photo that grabbed me.

  16. Christmas Angel (Great. Now I’ve got a wedgie)

  17. Christmas Solitude. So many beautiful shots though!

  18. Christmas Solitude gets my vote. Thank you! 🙂

  19. Ty’s first Christmas! Just darling 🙂

  20. Seriously yo.

    Ava’s First Christmas — Marshall — Jacksonville, FL

  21. Katie O'Connor says

    The Magic of Christmas – “When he thought no one was looking, Andrew liked to play with his baubles” – Catherine – Blackpool, England

  22. Christmas Solitude…definitely!

  23. Some beauties! But I’m going with Island Tree.

  24. I laughed at AVA’s FIRST CHRISTMAS and so have to go with that brilliant little family shot. 🙂

  25. My vote is for Santa’s Helper

  26. This was so much fun; thanks for putting this together!

    My vote goes to Do You See What I see?

  27. Bringing her home….. with many other wonderful choices out there as well!

  28. “A Magical Christmas” made my heart skip a beat. I love this contest. Thanks for hosting! Hope you had a very merry Christmas.

  29. She’s a beauty

  30. ‘A magical Christmas’ is my vote!

    Of course, they are all fun, nice contest!

  31. She’s a beauty! I’m a sucker for a great title.

  32. Amongst the trees just her size!

  33. Bringing Her Home
    and such a gorgeous reward for the winner!

  34. Christmas Solitude! What a beautiful shot.

  35. I love Miss G and the Christmas Tree! I love her little outfit and the lighting!

  36. Santa’s Helper get my vote. so many great photos though!

  37. Elenor Hansum says

    I loved ferrel cozy cat cowl !

  38. This might be the hardest one yet! I think I’m going with Santa’s Little Helper. Close behind were Do You See What I See, She’s a Beauty, Feral Cat Cozy and many others. Wonderful!!

  39. I have to pick “Santa’s helper” although it was really hard to choose only one!

  40. Feral cozy cat cowl!

  41. The Magic of Christmas – “When he thought no one was looking, Andrew liked to play with his baubles”

  42. Elizabeth Waggoner says

    So many adorable children and babies! So many Sparkling, glowing lights! So many whimsical, precious animals!
    But when it comes down to it, after years of Christmas traveling, the one that calls to my soul is “Christmas Solitude”. That glimpse through the trees of someone’s Merry Christmas brings me home every time.

  43. The Magic of Christmas – “When he thought no one was looking, Andrew liked to play with his baubles” – Catherine – Blackpool, England

    This is the one ….

  44. The magic of Christmas for me – those buttocks 🙂

  45. Andrews baubles really made me laugh! 😀

  46. Ferrel cozy cat vowel

  47. the magic of Christmas!

  48. The Magic of Christmas – “When he thought no one was looking, Andrew liked to play with his baubles” – Catherine – Blackpool, Engl

  49. The Magic Of Christmas ^_^

  50. Amongst the trees just her size!

    (So many warm and wonderful shots!! Merry merry merry!)

  51. Andrew and his baubles!

  52. The Magic of Christmas is the shot I would choose

  53. Its hard to compete with animals or children – My picks, 1st – “Old Hands, Warm Hearts”. 2nd “Bring Her Home”. 3rd “Among-st the Trees – Just Her Size”. There were so many great pics. Chose one winner 2 runner ups.

  54. The magic of Christmas – when no one was looking Andrew liked to play with his baubles.

  55. The magic of Christmas. So cute!

  56. When no one was looking Andrew liked to play with his baubles…adorable photo

  57. Bringing Her Home

  58. Rachel Jasper says

    Some fab photos but my vote us for
    The Magic of Christmas  – “When he thought no one was looking, Andrew liked to play with his baubles

  59. The Magic of Christmas – Andrew & his baubles 😉

  60. Feral cozy cat cowl!

  61. “Bringing Her Home.” Toooooo cute. xx

  62. So hard to choose!! Thank you all who entered, I love this little gathering!

    Christmas Solitude gets my vote.

    Happy holidays all, be safe and well.

  63. I love : Christmas, Love t first sight, by Laura from Ontario…just precious

  64. Feral Cozy Cat Cowl – so cozy it’s rosy.

  65. The Magic of Christmas: When he thought no-one was looking, Andrew liked to play with his baubles. Gorgeous pic 🙂

  66. A close call between
    “bringing her home” and “santa’s little helper”!

    But I love the twist on the classic “Bringing her home”
    Which gets my vote and gave me a big smile.
    xx

  67. The Magic of Christmas – “When he thought no one was looking, Andrew liked to play with his baubles” – Catherine – Blackpool, Engl

  68. The Magic of Christmas! Dimply bum rules!!

  69. They are all so lovely, and I wish I could vote for more than one, but The Magic of Christmas is for me. A baby taking in the wonder of it all.

  70. Santa’s Helper!

  71. Christmas Solitude

  72. The Magic of Christmas – “When he thought no one was looking, Andrew liked to play with his baubles” – Catherine – Blackpool, England

    Absolutely adorable!

  73. these all have different levels of absolute greatness. some for their message & meaning. cute, playful, funny. some bring emotion of different kinds (laughter, sorrow, peace, etc). some are artistically beautiful.
    i pick: small things with great love.
    runners up: island tree, appreciating christmas, old hands warm hearts, and night lights.

  74. Mashed potatoes says

    A Happy New Years wish to ALL participants!
    And hugs and kisses to you Jillian!!!

    I adore SANTA’S HELPER by Gay’l Yocom. Good luck Gay’l !

  75. So many lovely entries…my favorite is Old Hands, Warm Hearts!

  76. So difficult!! And so much fun! 🙂
    I’m going to go with APPRECIATING CHRISTMAS.
    Runner up is Santa’s Helper.
    XX

  77. Christmas Solitude – looks just like my mom and dad’s house in the Palouse (Northern Idaho).

  78. Jillian I love and appreciate your blog, thank you. I wish you all the brightest in 2014!
    and
    1 vote for Christmas Solitude, very beautiful shot

  79. My favorite is “She’s a Beauty.”

  80. A Magical Christmas 🙂

  81. A Magical Christmas

  82. Donika Ruxer says

    A Magical Christmas, hands down!

  83. old hands, warm heart
    I enjoy all kinds of Christmas trees, but there is something especially magical about a living tree in its own home being lit for Christmas, and then continuing on as a regular tree.

  84. My vote is for ‘a magical christmas’!

  85. The Magic of Christmas – “When he thought no one was looking, Andrew liked to play with his baubles”

  86. The Magic of Christmas.

  87. Cath Mackay says

    Lovely! The Magic of Christmas. Cute and warming.

  88. Catherine Scoyy says

    Deployment Over.
    I am in awe at all these pics!

  89. So hard to vote
    But here is mine: Santa’s Helper (for the laugh and a beautiful picture!!)
    Close close runners up (both for the spirit): Old Hands, Warm Hearts and Small Things, with Great Love
    Thank you to all the participants.
    But mostly thank you for your wonderdul blog and spirit
    All my best wishes to you and your close ones from France

  90. So, so cute!

    The Magic of Christmas – “When he thought no one was looking, Andrew liked to play with his baubles” – Catherine – Blackpool, England

  91. I love so many of them, but something about Ty’s First Christmas hit me…simple and homey…

  92. Susan Marling says

    So many beautiful ones! My favorite is Appreciating Christmas by Cindy in Cincinnati, OH.

  93. I vote for Island Tree… it really represents Winter in the PNW.

  94. MY REINDEER

  95. MY REINDEER

  96. Kathy Banner says

    Love it! Such a wonderful contest! My vote is for “My reindeer”!!!

  97. Island tree – simple and beautiful.

  98. “Appreciating Christmas”

  99. “she’s a beauty!”

  100. “She’s a Beauty — Anne — West Corinth, Vermont”

    This girl rules! Cut down her own Christmas tree in over a foot of snow 🙂 She should win for the amount of effort to find and cut that tree and the also the smile on her face!

    cool contest.

  101. All are lovely. My vote goes to “Old Hands, Warm Hearts — Rian – Dawson City, Yukon” Something about a short burst of light on a tree still rooted in the soil. Aren’t we all. Happy Holidays.

  102. The Magic of Christmas.

  103. My vote for “Island Tree.”

  104. Such fun!!
    It has to be “The Magic of Christmas – When he thought no one was looking Andrew liked to play with his baubles”.

  105. “Santa’s Helper” by Gay’l Yocom

  106. Old hands, warm heart – lovely twilight blues and a glittering wilderness tree…

  107. Is lovely the picture from Romania As tall as the clock!

  108. Christmas Lights, Silent Nights: A Bedroom Tree – i remember that feeling so well! old hands, warm heart is a close second

  109. Santa’s Helper!

  110. Chill of Winter … but Feral Cozy Cat Cowl was in close second.

  111. Christmas Solitude — PNW! Happy New Year!!!

  112. I love Island Tree because wouldn’t it be wonderful to be there???
    love this contest!! Just sent it out to all my friends to vote !!!!! yeah… anything for a new “Plume-age” to wear around.. I adore you and your art!!

  113. Appreciating Christmas

  114. Appreciating Christmas!

  115. Appreciating Christmas!

  116. Christmas Solitude, but lordy that was tough to make a decision!

  117. Appreciating Christmas – Cincinnati Oh!

  118. Definitely “Appreciating Christmas”.

  119. Teri Barhorst says

    Appreciating Christmas!

  120. Appreciating Christmas

  121. Fred Harmon says

    “Appreciating Christmas”…
    Favorite one…

  122. Appreciating Christmas!!!!

  123. Appreciating Christmas

  124. Appreciating Christmas

  125. Those are some fantastic photos… but I choose “Appreciating Christmas”!

  126. appreciating christmas

  127. Kierston Sparks says

    Appreciating Christmas

  128. Appreciating Christmas

  129. Old hands .. Warm heart 😉

  130. Appreciating Christmas

  131. Christmas Angel! 🙂

  132. Marvelous photos. Thanks for doing this contest and thanks to all who shared their pictures. 🙂
    My vote: “A Magical Christmas” – Tina Ruble – Hillsboro, OH

  133. Katherine Barnett says

    Appreciating Christmas!!!!!

  134. Appreciating Christmas is so touching!!

  135. Small things, with great love!!!

  136. Sharon Canada says

    So many excellent ones, but I like “Bringing Her Home” most of all.

  137. All of the photos are beautiful!!

    My vote is for Appreciating Christmas!

  138. The Magic of Christmas xxx

  139. Tree of Lights has to be my favorite!

  140. “i’m just looking for the pickle”.

    i’ve got my suspicions because i know that rascal cat and this year our pickle ornament went missing… hmm.

  141. ‘Old Hands Warm Hearts’ resonates with me this Christmas.

  142. my vote : lots of love, simplicity.
    honrorable mentions:
    christmas solitude
    bringing her home
    amongst the trees
    santas helper

    thanks all for sharing your beautiful trees and families!

  143. My vote Christmas Angel.
    All the work put in to creating this beautiful Angel.

  144. My Vote is for:
    Appreciating Christmas

  145. Thank you again Plume and hubby for hosting this contest. I absolutely love getting a peek into everyone’s Christmas spirit. It truly is a magical time of year.

    My vote goes to “Do You See What I See.”

  146. Thank you again Plume and hubby for hosting this contest. I absolutely love getting a peek into everyone’s Christmas spirit. It truly is a magical time of year.

    My vote goes to “Do You See What I See?”

  147. Beth Smith Kenny says

    Appreciating Christmas!

  148. lot of love with simplicity

  149. The magic of christmas!!

    This is a brilliant idea.

  150. Oooohhh hoe lovely is this?!

    My vote is for ‘The Magic of Christmas’.

  151. My vote goes for Chill of Winter.

  152. Michael Jackaman says

    appreciating christmas
    loved this one
    so peaceful and loving

  153. natalia cuesta says

    vote for appreciating christmas
    so lovely
    natalia

  154. it has to be Santa’s Helper! Fab stuff everyone!

  155. Jim Wineinger says

    Appreciating Christmas

  156. This is for Appreciating Christmas

  157. Laurie Bodnar says

    What beautiful photos!
    My vote is for Appreciating Christmas.

  158. Thanks for the entries!
    I will place my vote for Appreciate Christmas.

  159. Appreciating Christmas!

  160. Appreciating Christmas

  161. Please place my vote on “Appreciating Christmas”
    My nephew is adorable. 🙂

  162. Appreciating Christmas.

  163. Jeff Perrine says

    My choice is Appreciating Christmas.

  164. Sharon Powell says

    Appreciating Christmas!

  165. Appreciating Christmas.
    Love the eyes!!

  166. Appreciating Christmas 🙂

  167. The Magic Of Christmas.

    Andrew and his baubles. Brilliant.

  168. The magic of christmas