This year, I actually started before Thanksgiving – didn’t put anything up, but brought all the boxes in from the shelves in the garage, so that first thing Friday morning (showing great restraint until that time!) I could begin the process of converting the house to Christmas Central.
And get ready for the Winter Solstice, St. Nicholas Day, St. Lucia’s Day, Hannukah and Kwanzaa. I love to celebrate everything!
Much of the usual wonderful stuff on the shelves, windowsills, floors disappears and is replaced by the Christmas version. Then more is added besides. When a particularly wonderful bow is found on a present, box or bag, it is push pinned onto a door. An intriguing ornament that appears may end up on the tree – or it may be found ornamenting the jade tree, hanging on a light switch, tucked into a nook or cranny so it can peek out at us.
I’ve started with the Christmas candles in the candlabra, added the little magic Xmas tree and a tiny Christmas plant, and the buffet is almost done. I’ve started a Christmas puzzle on the dining room table – it’s meant to be a present for a friend, but I decided to test drive it to make sure all the pieces are there. As the weather reports began forecasting cold and snow, I put the pine roping up the steps and around the porch, and the teddy bear welcome sign is hanging above the drive.
So a lot is done already, and now December has officially arrived. Time for the tree, and then the crib and then…. But first – I’m going to start the Advent Calendar, moving the first symbol from its tiny pocket up onto the calendar. Hooray!
I’ll be deep in the Christmas breadmaking soon…. Jingle Bells, Everyone!