Monday 31 December 2007

Christmas Traditions

Photographs of my parent's house, Christmas Day...




Heather shared some of her Christmas traditions and asked us me do to the same so...

1) A Christmas branch. I always get a fresh beautiful branch to decorate. Sometimes it is a compliment to a tree, other times it is instead of one.

2) Home-made decorations.
I always make some decorations, usually paper based but sometimes using other materials. Paper snowflakes are a regular. I really truly do love most the kind of decorations that remind me of childhood. I still treasure my silver stars made about 10yrs ago from cut card wrapped with tinfoil. I really love them even though they, or maybe because, they look like a kid made them.

3) A Stocking. Some say I am too old but I still love the thrill of a stocking at the bottom of the bed, that rustling sound, seeing the wonderful way my mothers old tights (panty hose) can magically stretch to accomodate any shape of package. My mum (Santa) has been supplying them to my brother and I even though we left home years ago and if ever she couldn't then a friend or boyfriend could usually be persuaded to fill the gap and make my day.

4) Trifle! Christmas is always an excuse to indulge in a huge home-made trifle. I tend to make to, one for friends to share and one to have all to myself so that I don't eat the one for them! I like to really ladle on the port, it reminds me of visiting my grandparents in the holidays when I was really young.

5) A Bath.
I'm a shower person for reasons of time, enrgy efficiency and money, but if I have access then I always like to have a long indulgent 2hr soak in a bath as a Christmas treat with dozens of candles, relaxing essential oils and beautiful music or an audio book.

Gosh, I typed this before Christmas and was waiting to get some images to go along with each tradition. But things didn't work out as planned and for the first time ever not one of those traditions has happened. I did get the contents of a Christmas stocking, but because I wasn't well enough to sleep over at my parent's house I didn't actually wake to a stocking.

11 comments:

heather smith jones said...

Cally,
The pictures of your parents' home are warming and endearing. I feel like I'm there enjoying your beautiful surroundings! Thank you for sharing your traditions with us. I like that you make ornaments and I'm sure they are lovely paper creations. Are those your snowflakes in the top image?
I like seeing images of Christmas, because I'm never really ready for it to be over! :)
Thank you for your comments on my blog this morning about the snowy walk, I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
Blessings to you Cally in the entire year to come!

Anonymous said...

It looks like a beautiful warm and calm place to spend Christmas Day.
I hope that you have a Happy hogmanay and look forward to 2008.
J
x

Anonymous said...

Hi Cally - I'm returning your blog visit. What beautiful traditions you have for the holiday. These are more my style than the huge commercial monstrosities that are more common in the US. Anyway, I'm glad to meet you! :)

Cally said...

Hi Snapdragonjane...
I had to laugh when you said it looked like a calm place to be...it was chaos with too many people, too many dogs plus a wheelchair, a walker and a commode! But it did feel cosy and my mum always makes things look nice.

Everyone...
thanks for your kind words

Olga said...

Happy new year to YOU - one of my FAVOURITE-artists on the web!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year/Bonne annee to you! Lots of love, Miss P xx

Anna P. said...

Happy New Year, I wish you the best for the year to come. That image of Lucy by the fire speaks worlds to me. She seems to be reflecting on the year she had and all of the love and care you gave her. Thank you for all the encouragement you gave me this year!

Cally said...

Anna P
Different dog! He's one of my parents dogs. He's half doberman half greyhound, a very slender creature and the silkiest coat you could ever imagine. But you are right about the look in his eye, he is very thoughtful, and he's had a lot of change this year with my Uncle's dog arriving in the house and taking up a BIG chunk of the space in front of the fire.

Susan Schwake said...

so pretty at your parents home and what a wonderful list. i would love your trifle recipe if you ever think of it... :-)

Amanda said...

The mantelpiece looks so beautiful! I've never thought of laying out the decorations along a shelf like that. I think I might pinch that idea next year...hope you don't mind!?

Janet said...

Oh how I love the tea kettle by the fireplace. Happy New Year! Cheers!

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