Early Christmas Gift For Me

Have you ever bought your own Christmas gift? 
Well, a few weeks ago I went to the Extravaganza Market held in Mount Dora, Fl.
This is a HUGE flea market held a couple of times a year.  When I say HUGE,  I mean no
 way you can see everything in one day.  My dad was an antique dealer there many years
ago but I have not been to the market since moving from the area.
I was there just as they opened and the very first dealer I stopped at had the
perfect Christmas gift for me.  Without a moment of hesitation I whipped out
 my wallet and paid the dealer every penny I had.  Thank goodness the market had
 an ATM machine or I would have been finished for the day!
So what did I find that just had to come home with me?
It is too way to big to wrap and won’t come close to fitting under the tree.

 

 

Yes,  It is a GIANT clam shell measuring 33″ across, the largest one I have ever seen.  I have
coveted these really large natural shells but priced at $700 and up they were a distant
dream.  Well, no more dreaming and happily I paid an obscenely low price for it.
I think I must have skipped through the rest of the market!
On the way home I called Steve and left a voice mail telling him Thank You
for my Christmas gift.  I also mentioned what I bought was very heavy and
would have to stay in my SUV until his next visit to Dads.  He was such a
good sport (but he always is) and unloaded the shell a few days later
after flying in from Virginia.  The shell has found a temporary
home in front of the window at dads.
Here are some of my favorite pictures that show decorating with
giant clam shells. 

Christopher James

 

unknown

 

Cote de Texas

 

No Minimalist Here

The final picture is my own clam shell which was a gift last year from dad.

Every time I walk past the new shell I sing
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!Thanks for dropping by and I hope to see you at the Open House Party
starting Wednesday evening.

Lucia
Author

38 thoughts on “Early Christmas Gift For Me”

  1. You are right! I LOVE it and am envious. There is one just like it at DOP (I blogged about them earlier). I think it is $500. Ugh! I find it a lil high. I want one but I spotted an antique secretary that I asked for (well? It is on my list). I cannot see what you do with it. I LOVE my smaller ones. You are a lucky gal:) xo

  2. Lucky lucky YOU!!!! Oh yes…I found my early Christmas gift back in Oct. at the Country Living show…it's all decked out for holidays on my kitchen island. I would love to run across one of these for myself…just so many ways to use them.

    Blessings,
    Linda

  3. OMG – Beautiful! You are one of those people who really knows how to choose a gift!

    And, yes, I often buy Christmas gifts for myself and wrap them "from" him!

  4. WOW!! Now that wasn't quite what I was expecting to be your Christmas gift!! I have never seen anyone decorate with a HUGE shell before, but now I'm slightly jealous that I don't have one too. I can't wait to see how you're going to decorate with it once you get home!!! Hugs!!

  5. I'm glad that you got your big pretty shell. It's going to be lovely in your home.
    I have one on my coffee table in the family room and it's my favorite.

    hugs
    Sissie

  6. Wow! What a find! I'd have done the same, despite the fact that I've never once even thought about owning a large clam shell! Now I'm looking for my own!

  7. Oh that shell is so incredible, awesome. You have alot of folks out here drooling and being envious.
    One of those special things only
    comes around at right price at the right time. As my hubs would say, "I'd use the grocery money for craft supplies or something I desperately wanted for the house".Glad you had enuf cash on you, would have been a shame to have to pass it up. Great you have an understanding hubby.
    Hope your Dad will be ok, that his stroke wasn't terribly serious. My hubs had one little over two years ago, he's doing pretty good, his left arm isn't as good or strong and he's left handed. His problem solving skills aren't what they were either but all in all he's doing well. Just very glad to still have my hubs, been married 44 yrs. as of 11/30. Happy week

  8. Oh my goodness, Sherry! I didn't even think clams came that big! Any ideas where you will put it in your home? And yes, I buy my own Christmas gifts every year {plus one or two surprises that hubby manages}. I haven't returned a Christmas gift from my husband in 27 years!

  9. I was at that sale last year Sherry and had to have somethings shipped home to say nothing of what I had stashed in my suitcase. Glad to hear you found your perfect Christmas gift and I know you'll be smiling every time you walk past it.

  10. Wow! It must've been meant to be. I love it! It is always great when you stumble on something you've been wanting for a long time and the price is right! Congrats on your new find.

  11. Sherry, I LOVE it!! What a great find, especially when they are anything normal in price….I did mine up this year with paper whites, but usually they just hold kugels at Christmas. You will enjoy this shell SO much!! Merry Christmas to you!

  12. Lucky you! I've been wanting one for ages now-but so far haven't been fortunate enough to come across one!

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  14. Hey Sherry;
    SIGH. I wish that I had your Clam Shell.
    I think that you could sell it to one of us here for double what you paid!!! LOL! It is absolutely Beautiful.
    Thank-You for posting the pictures of the other sites of the giant Clam Shells.
    Take Care.

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  16. LOOOVE your giant clam shell!!!!!!!!!! I have a large FAUX one that I got several years ago and I LOVE it!!! I fill it with shells and keep it on my coffee table in the summer. XO, Pinky

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