Making the holidays simpler
This morning I finished wrapping gifts to mail away for Christmas. It's a little early even for me but it's one of those tasks I don't enjoy. No big lines at the post office here yet.
Shopping for some family is trickier these days. I plan a budget. My sisters and I are all downsizing and don't want anymore "stuff." We are all committed readers so books are good. Trouble is if I find one particularly good book, I buy one for myself. The grandkids are mostly older teens with four younger ones. Some are budding artists so I give them packages of art materials which I would have killed for when I was a kid. Bi-mart has become my source of less expensive art supplies for kids. Better prices than most places. I'm excited they have some gifts in that direction. The art and music programs in the schools have had severe budget cuts. I get them gifts that they can "do" with and don't need batteries.
Eldest son put his Christmas tree in his 4th floor apartment window this weekend. Yes, that's Godzilla on the top. He shops the thrift stores for small trees each year. Here's this year's find.
My holiday thinking starts when eggnog shows up in the grocery. I put in it my coffee. I haven't bought it for awhile because here it only came in too large for me quantities. But it appeared in the little 16 oz. bottle in my grocery. Maybe Walmart had it but I don't go there often especially in December. Sometimes here I have trouble getting my favorite tea (pictured behind) Celestial Seasons Mandarin Orange. My sister Pam sent me several boxes for my birthday this year. Walla Walla is a small rural demographic, some grocery items are surprisingly hard to find. There's lots of wine and touristy shops downtown.
Shopping for some family is trickier these days. I plan a budget. My sisters and I are all downsizing and don't want anymore "stuff." We are all committed readers so books are good. Trouble is if I find one particularly good book, I buy one for myself. The grandkids are mostly older teens with four younger ones. Some are budding artists so I give them packages of art materials which I would have killed for when I was a kid. Bi-mart has become my source of less expensive art supplies for kids. Better prices than most places. I'm excited they have some gifts in that direction. The art and music programs in the schools have had severe budget cuts. I get them gifts that they can "do" with and don't need batteries.
Eldest son put his Christmas tree in his 4th floor apartment window this weekend. Yes, that's Godzilla on the top. He shops the thrift stores for small trees each year. Here's this year's find.
My holiday thinking starts when eggnog shows up in the grocery. I put in it my coffee. I haven't bought it for awhile because here it only came in too large for me quantities. But it appeared in the little 16 oz. bottle in my grocery. Maybe Walmart had it but I don't go there often especially in December. Sometimes here I have trouble getting my favorite tea (pictured behind) Celestial Seasons Mandarin Orange. My sister Pam sent me several boxes for my birthday this year. Walla Walla is a small rural demographic, some grocery items are surprisingly hard to find. There's lots of wine and touristy shops downtown.
My special Christmas decor is around the nativity I got at The Grotto in Portland, Oregon. I haven't gotten it out yet. I have a pre-lit small treet too. I use the decorations I collected over the last 50+ years including the dime store Angel tree topper my first husband and I got for $1 for our first tree together. She's a little tatty but she's been on every tree I've had. I'm going to use all my teddy bear ornaments this year. My last remaining uncle and aunt put up a small tree that she made the ornaments for and a menorah in the window that their sweet daughter-in-law brought them from Israel.
What's your favorite holiday custom? Mine are all covered in memories.
posted by Celia | December 01, 2017
5 Comments:
I had many customs in years past. Now it's just get through it ;). I wasn't going to do any decorating but then put up the artificial greens for the mantles as it's pretty and doesn't take much to take down. We haven't done a tree in years due to allergies and not really wanting an artificial one. Maybe someday we'll get a Balsam Hills tree-- if we have Christmas here. That's been a while since we have.
I think it's the baking, although with David gone, I don't bake as much. I will for the kids and grands, but much less than in the past.
Making holidays simpler. Yup, my decorations are very simple - a small pre-lit tree, some elves, poinsettias, ornaments placed here and there.
Christmas cards are a thing of the past. Haven't put my outdoor lights up yet - depends on the weather. We had an early snowfall this year and some cold days, which was rather discouraging. Maybe this weekend, it's supposed to be a little warmer.
One of my favourite things is sat around a lit trees and a glowing fire,ma hot toddy or a glass of wine with family and friends.
You sound primed for Christmas, Celia.
Marie - what a nice atmosphere. That's what my parents did. Mom played the piano and we sang. I'm trying to start early so I won't get pressured. :-)
Good to hear from you Wendy, I wondered what you were doing. Simple is good for me too. No Christmas cards from here either although I do write letters to a few people.
Rain - sorry about the allergies. Less stuff up though less stuff to take down.
My favorite thing is spending time with my kids and grandkids.
Simple is better for me. This year, since I thought the house would be sold by now I packed up most of the Christmas deco and took it to the Hope Chest. Now I only have the tree I got for Dad last Christmas, and a few special Christmas things to put up. I am going to make fresh greenery wreaths and write a few letters to extended family far away.
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