It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I decided to do something different this holiday. I applied for a seasonal position at a local family-owned toy store. It would be fun, right? This meant November and December flew by as I spent most of my days working. Therefore, I’m going to share with you some of the most memorable highlights in this post.

For about seven years, I have taken a photo of our dog at the front door with the Christmas wreath. This year, she was a lot more cooperative!

Going to the Dickens Fair at one of the convention centers used to be a holiday tradition for many years before the pandemic. It was so nice to finally go again this year. The vast space is decorated as if you’re walking the streets of old London. Volunteers and locals dressed up in Victorian costumes to celebrate the holiday season!

There are many vendors at the Dickens Fair selling their wares, including tea.

Very similar to Renaissance fairs, you will find live entertainment and music performed by local amateur groups and organizations at the Dickens Fair. One year, I saw the choir from my neighborhood high school perform.

While there are many food vendors at the fair, I prefer to make reservations for afternoon tea.

This is an area decorated and set up for afternoon tea.

After pots of tea are brought to the shared table, the scones with jam and cream arrive. They were quite good this year!

The day after Thanksgiving, we go with friends to buy Christmas trees at a local tree lot. My son and his girlfriend were busy trying to figure out the dilemma with the lights. There is always an issue besides untangling them. This year, the lights in the center of one strand wouldn’t light up. What to do?

The very first gifts of the season I mailed were to my niece and her family. Of course, everything came from the toy store! I just love the squeezy gingerbread man and snowman!

If you read my last post, this tea from Fortnum & Mason was one of the special treats I bought for myself this year. The smell and taste are filled with the holidays!

This year, I decided to finally try mince pies. I know, I know, homemade is always better but time was limited, and I had never had one before to know whether I would like them. I have to say, I rather enjoyed them! Next year, I will try to make my own.

My friends and I went to this early 1900s home to enjoy a holiday tea. It’s located within a garden and was so beautifully decorated.

Our meal started with holiday tomato soup and a roll.

Before I knew it, my annual Christmas cookie exchange party had arrived! I took two days off from work to prepare and host the event. Every year, I make the traditional peanut butter kiss cookies.

Gingerbread is always a must since the first time I made them. Everyone in my family always looks forward to this spicy treat!

My husband thinks there isn’t enough icing on the gingerbread men. Therefore, I decided to make a few with extra icing on the not so good-looking ones. I think they’re better suited for Halloween!

I made the cranberry oat scones again this year for my cookie friends to eat.

My friends never disappoint! We had such wonderful goodies to share.

So festive!

On one of my days off from work, I went to the shopping mall early in the morning before the crowds arrived. As usual, it was beautifully decorated. I felt so relieved to purchase most of the remaining gifts I needed.

It wouldn’t be the holidays without going to the local tea room. The day after my daughter flew home, we went to tea.

We both ordered the Holiday Tea. We started with French Mushroom bisque and then had a mini beef Wellington, scone, and assorted tea sandwiches.

For dessert we had a choice of a Christmas log or assorted mini desserts. My daughter selected the mini desserts, and I had the chocolate cake with cream cheese filling and chocolate ganache.

My friends know me so well. One of them gave me this wonderful box of Vahdam tea. My daughter has already tried a couple and loves it. I can’t wait to to try the English Breakfast!

Tonight, my family will be hosting friends over for Christmas Eve. It’s a wonderful tradition we look forward to every year. The last two months may have been filled with the crazies of holiday retail life, but I also made sure to take advantage of every available moment to do the things I love and enjoy this time of year.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!