. . . bits and pieces of family early 50's decor was broken and bits merged into a wonderful family muddle. I think we used leftover plastic reindeer in our early 60's nativity displays.

PS Are those little red lights?

No, those are "cranberries". Little red lights hadn't been invented, yet.

When I married 47 years ago, along with my wife I also got a 12 oz. can (the can itself had originally been used for packaging de-pitted black olives) filled with several dozen of these "cranberries". They are painted plaster balls, on wire.

Our first Christmas ornament.

I still have that can, and it's cranberries. We proudly display those "cranberries" on our tree - as we have every year - and they are this year.

I identify strongly with the Tuttles.

Long a staple in our Christmas decor, until the year my brother dropped a wad of it down my back, giving me a good hearty slap and a vigorous rub.

Next year was spray snow in a can.

Leaves more room for the glorious Holiday feast. I'll wager that table was filled to groaning shortly after this photo was taken.

That fluffy white stuff around the centerpiece was Angel Hair, made from spun glass. It was very popular for decades, but since it was really made from glass, it could cut or scratch you! We used it for Christmas in the 1950s, and I always remember my Mom telling me to be careful when touching it. I was scared to death to touch it, I imagined a thousand tiny cuts all over my hands! It looks amazing, but eventually was replaced in popularity by other types of fake snow. You can still find it today on the internet, and in some decorating stores.

which one is Olive, the other reindeer?

What a beautiful centerpiece; I would love to have one of these for my table.

But their reindeer were white plastic, not chrome plated.

Another home of the 50's was my parents who had the same Santa sleigh and reindeer.

The creator of this beautiful centerpiece was motivated, bold and courageous. This Minnesota family definitely has artistic talent. From photography, to dressmaking, and an obvious zest for life; this family is admirable.

PS Are those little red lights?

[No. - Dave]

...and I have seen them every Christmas since 1966, though they clearly date from an earlier decade.

Grace and Hubert have my mother's tumblers. I have the last surviving one of hers.