Time To Join The Christmas Party

We all do the Christmas decorating thing at different times, according to our own traditions. And for us here it is usually the second to last weekend before Christmas. Now this does tend to mean that Christmas tree choice has been severely depleted. On the other had, choosing is super easy because there are only a few to look at and it is easy to eliminate the ones that you don't want in your house and pick the one that you do. Less choice can be infinitely better and lead to far less arguments.

So, this being the second to last weekend before Christmas, our house finally looks appropriately decorated. In the process of making it thus I thought I would acknowledge some of the lovely people who have added to our festive cheer with the things they have made for us over the years. There are too many to list and I apologise to anyone who I failed to get a photo of your make, but here are some of the things that are making me smile.

And more.

And still more.

And lest you think I never keep anything I make, here are three Christmas makes that do live with us.

Then there are items that came before the days of blogging and IG. Russian matryoshka Santas that I bought in Alaska when I worked on the cruise ships. A mouse choir made by a co-worker in Toronto, and a little elf family bought at a craft show by my father.

It's quite obvious that for me there is no theme to Christmas. It is all about memories and the joy they bring. It is the same for the girls. I have been giving them ornaments since birth so that one day, when they have homes of their own they will already have a box of ornaments each, replete with memories and history.

In fact, they have so many now that very few other ornaments make it to the tree. And this is okay because that's all part of the constant evolving memories that make each family unique.

I wasn't feeling very festive until this weekend. But it's all happening now. Just need some cold weather - after the school runs are finished on Friday that is.

Susan