Merry Christmas!

I started off the first of December with a sinus cold. I had all the usual symptoms: low energy, headache, sneezing. It was a rainy few days too, so I wasn’t feeling the Christmas spirit much at all. I had previously decided my Christmas decor was going to be kept to a minimum this year, just some greenery, pine and twinkle lights and wreaths outside. Easy peasy. Even though I was keeping it basic, I knew I was “behind” as far as a schedule goes. Usually I’m ready to start decorating November 12th! But this year I wasn’t. 

Yes, I had ordered my wreaths and looked online for inspiration & had dug out some decorations, but that was it. Then, I received a little nudge. It was when my cousin shared a Facebook post from a few years ago paying tribute to our Papa Miller. She called him “the best Christmas decorator ever!” And he really was you know. He was full of Christmas spirit & I’m fairly confident we all get our love of Christmas from him. There wasn’t anything subtle about his decorations back in the day! They were the kind that you couldn’t miss: The highlight was a cardboard reindeer and Santa displayed across the wall in the tv room, stuck up with tape and thumbtacks. The reindeer were fuzzy and the sleigh looked like it was flying through the air. He always had tinsel and garland hanging from the ceiling and a plastic Santa strapped to the chimney outside, and a blinking star at the top of the tree - which was coated with silver icicles. He hung every ornament he could find on the tree, and if he ran out of hooks he’d use twist ties or string. There was plenty of fake cotton snow & always ribbon candy on the table in a fancy dish. I don't think Nanny did much decorating (she was too busy cooking and cleaning!), so he did most of it himself. And as kids we loved every bit of it! He also played Christmas carols all month long: Charlie Pride, Anne Murray, Kenny & Dolly. 25 years later it’s still engrained in our most cherished memories. 

The second nudge came as I watched a Hallmark Christmas movie the other night. One of the characters said “The reason Christmas lights shine so brightly is so our loved ones in Heaven can see them”.  Isn’t that a beautiful thought?

Anyway, fast forward a couple days and we’ve brought Christmas home again! I made up for lost time & hung the garland & stockings, put up some lights & got out my Christmas mugs. For my greenery this year I mixed real garland with faux and I am loving that combination, it looks & smells so wonderful. 

Thinking of Papa reminded me to turn up the Christmas music and feel the spirit! I decorated Aidan’s room with a mini-tree & some lights and bought a lavender tree for the bathroom. It’s adorable. I still have a few items left to check off my list, like hanging our wreaths and filling my window boxes outside - but hopefully we will get to that tomorrow. It’s amazing how a little skiff of snow can make you feel the spirit. 

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for reading, it’s been almost a year of blogging for me & it’s been a lot of fun. However you choose to decorate, I hope your home is full of joy & peace this holiday season. Oh and share those pictures, because everyone loves to see a Christmas tree! 

And for all our loved ones in heaven: I hope you see the sparkle. 

Merry Christmas!