It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Where I grew up, most people owned artificial Christmas trees. My family used the same tree they must have purchased in the late 1960s. Every year, a large appliance box was hauled up from the basement. It contained a four-foot green wooden pole that was drilled and marked with color-coded holes and bushy greenery with color tipped metal branches. Once the branches were sorted by size and then color, I would insert the matching branch into the corresponding colored hole in the pole until a fluffy tree took shape.
Multi-colored blinking lights, plastic popcorn garland and silver and gold fluffy tinsel were draped around the tree. But the magical moment for me was when I turned on the tree lights. I still have that wonderful sensation after all these years.
After I was married, it’s been a real tree every year. The day after Thanksgiving, we meet up with friends and purchase our Christmas tree from a local tree lot. Decorations are brought out of storage and soon the house is filled with that same excitement I felt as a child. I never tire of looking at the tree, filled with ornaments collected over the years. Some are ones our children made, some were purchased from places we’ve traveled and some were gifts from loved ones. They all have a story. I truly love this time of year.
Every year I try to capture my dog standing at the door after I hang up the Christmas wreath. This year it took eight tries, instead of the usual two or three. Did I mention she is easily distracted?
The December calendar is always filled with festive activities, including afternoon tea with a friend. We have enjoyed a Christmas tea for almost 12 years, either at a tea room, Christmas festival or at my home. It’s something we look forward to every year.
The holiday set menu changes every year at the local tea room. It’s always a nice surprise to see what food selections we will be served.
Then there is the gift shopping and wrapping. I always tell myself I’m going to stay on top of it and not wait until the last minute. I can’t tell you how many extremely late nights I’ve endured on the 24th, getting all the wrapping done. But I do love the colorful gift wrap, bags, ribbons and tags. This year, I’ve actually finished early!
I made some lovely homemade hot chocolate with oat milk. This recipe is great with regular or milk substitutes. It’s perfect on cold rainy days while wrapping gifts.
I had to mail seven boxes this year, and all were done well in advance. Pro tip: the Post Office near my home is nearly empty during the weekday at 10:30 in the morning. I am going to keep this stored away for next year!
Shopping and lunch with friends during the holidays is always extra special. The decorations in the large departments stores are breathtaking. Simple window shopping is elevated with all the festive decor. Hotel lobbies are open to the public to enjoy beautifully decorated Christmas trees and gingerbread displays.
The beautiful display at Nieman Marcus.
Parmesan truffle fries, anyone? Yes, please! These were incredible and perfect to share among friends.
Of course, every wonderful meal has to end with tea and dessert. This one was chocolate hazelnut with a layer of raspberry and a merengue topper. Yum!
The main street area near my home held a Holiday Market this year. Local vendors sold holiday decorations, baked goods, chocolate and other food items. I discovered a wonderful bakery and arrived early before the lines started to form. Wish I would have bought more!
This is one gorgeous challah!
I couldn’t resist and immediately indulged in this lightly sweetened bread man decorated with currents.
The countdown to Christmas is already here. I hope you have the opportunity to look around and enjoy what the season has to offer. I love being at home as much as going out and about. Just give me a good holiday music station, a nice selection of holiday movies, yummy Christmas treats and tea and I’m all set!