Privately, I have Christmas stuff up all year round. Like this countdown chalkboard.
And Santa.
Isn't he beautiful? I got him in a quilty swap I participated in a few years ago. I loved him so much that he's only taken down for dusting, then he goes right back up.
In the normal course of things, though, we go tree hunting Thanksgiving weekend. We pack the kids in the car and drive down to Massachusetts to the best Christmas tree farm ever. There, we stalk and slay the largest, most shapely tree we can find, have cider and donuts to honor the kill, and come home to decorate.
We have cocoa and cookies and play Christmas carols (Bing Crosby and Dean Martin, not that Mariah Carey and Bob Dylan crap). We put up snowmen and make Dusty the Deer look all spiffy and festive.
It's a ton of fun. Yes, there's much in the way of shopping (not a chore for me) and school activities (a definite chore for me), but all in all, it's my favorite season. I know not everyone here celebrates it, but I'm very much looking forward to this Christmas weekend with my family.
Regardless of your religion or lack thereof, I hope you're all making with the merry merry and the joyful joyful. Or at the very least, that you are surrounded by people you love, and by warmth and contentment.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
It sounds like you'll have a great Christmas! I love to hear when people go all out to make it a special time. Have a wondereful time with your family!
ReplyDeletelol, i have never heard of looking for a Christmas tree being so violent. nice. and nice deer! my dad has a few of these...i used to put santa hats on them when i was little.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you my friend!!!
OH and that santa is awesome :)
-Magoo
Your tree is beautiful! It looks huge--how tall is it? I wish I had high ceilings that would accomodate a giant tree. Of course, I'd have to get Two to decorate it--he's the tallest one around these parts.
ReplyDeleteDusty looks very handsome, but are those lights in his antlers? Is that some sort of play on "a deer caught in the headlights?"
The quilt is too lovely to ever put away. I leave the cradle and giant pinecones up all year to remind me of the season. Speaking of dusty...
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Delia. I consider my friendship with you one of the best presents I got this year!
Sounds like your family has fun. That's the most important thing. I, myself am looking forward to 2 back to back 4 day work weeks!
ReplyDeleteNow, that's what I call doing Christmas right! Merry Ho-Ho-Ho to you and yours. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like great family traditions which will be carried on when the kiddies grow up. We cut down our tree at the farm on the highway. It was Gray's first trek for the tree, not that she remembered a thing, she slept through it all. Then we have hot cider and roast hot dogs over the fire. Great fun. Love the Dusty the deer. Cheers to you and your family for a happy and bright Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAs I type this it's Christmas Eve, hope your holiday is well under way. Enjoy, have fun, and live it up, you mad Christian you!
ReplyDelete(Great pictures, thanks so much for sharing them.)
Merry Christmas!
Julie
@WriterPat, Thank you! You have a wonderful holiday, too.
ReplyDelete@Magoo, The Santa was from a Q&N secret Santa in '09. Rebecca pulled my name. Doesn't she do gorgeous work? If I could get the Santa hat to stay on Dusty, I probably would. :) Merry Christmas!
@Megan, This year we scored a nine-footer. Our record was eleven. I love having the vaulted ceilings for it. And, yes, those are lights in Dusty's antlers. You can't see it in the picture, but they're chasing. :) Oh, and I loved your cradle. I wouldn't put it away, either. Merry Christmas!
@Judy, Yay for shorter work weeks! I hope you enjoy the days off and get to spend some time with your grandkids.
@Linda, All that's missing is the liquor! (It's not really missing; it's just not in the picture.) Merry Ho-Ho-Ho right back atcha.
@Carol, It's so much fun to bring a new little one in on the traditions, sleeping or not. I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas together.
@Julie, I do believe that's the first time anyone has ever called me a mad Christian. *snort* Hope you had a fun solstice!