That’s one way to light a tree

That’s one way to light a tree

I love it when people think out of the box for holiday decorations. tree with lantern

This tree full of lanterns is so festive, but also, so interesting. I could sit and look for hours. Well, if it wasn’t so cold.   lantern tree

Have any decorations captured your interest this season?           lantern

Holiday Tradition

Every year for Christmas, my husband and I pick out a Christmas ornament together. We’ve been doing this since before we got married and it’s become a cherished part of our Christmas tradition.

We try to choose something that is representative of our year together, or at least an occasion during the year. And we try to find something that is not too fragile. There have been years, and this might be another one, where this ornament consumes the entirety of our minuscule Christmas budget. But even when money is tight we still find a way to make the holiday special and memorable.

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Last year I was pregnant, and we came home with a pickle ornament. I’m quite sure this years ornament will be appropriately baby oriented. I’m also considering extending the tradition to include and ornament for Gem as well. If we get one every year, she’ll have a couple dozen by the time she gets her Masters Degree. {hope.}

What’s your favorite holiday tradition?

The Hearse

Perhaps I’m channeling my inner goth when I say this, but I’ve always had a thing for hearses. Sure, they’re dark and macabre, with an air of mystery, but there is also an element of grace and elegance.

In preparation for Halloween, our local grocery store set up this antique, horse-drawn model. So beautiful.

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And here she is all dressed up for Halloween.

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Personally, I subscribe to the “less is more” camp when it comes to decorating, but I love the way the store is getting in the mood for the holiday.

What part of Halloween are you looking forward to the most? The candy? Babies in costumes? The parties? Or do you just endure until it all ends?

This Year’s Ornament: the Christmas pickle

This Year’s Ornament: the Christmas pickle

Last week I described our tradition of picking out a Christmas ornament together.  I am pleased to announce that after a great deal of mall walking and searching, we have located and purchased the perfect ornament to memorialize the year I was pregnant.

I give you

the Christmas Pickle

the Christmas pickle

Once we got home, we found a description on the box, it says: “The pickle is a German symbol of good luck. Traditionally, German parents decorated the tree on Christmas Eve, hiding the pickle ornament last. On Christmas morning, the first child to locate the pickle was rewarded with an extra gift from St. Nicholas.”

Then I went online and discovered there’s a poem that goes along with it:

The Christmas Pickle Poem

To start a tradition that will surely last,

Here’s the story about the pickle of glass.

The night before Christmas, it’s hung on the tree

While everyone’s sleeping, it’s done secretly.

And on Christmas morning, when you arise,

The first one to find it will get a surprise!

A family tradition for all to share,

You’ll look for the pickle year after year.

 

Now I love my pickle even more.