Monday, December 27, 2010

My wish for you at Christmas

I hope you are finding magic, warmth, and joy in this holiday season, and I hope the magic continues for many more days.

Our ornaments, like our holidays, mix old traditions and new experiences. For example, this very old green glass ornament comes from Peter's parents' tree. My mom embroidered the yellow bird shortly before she died about 30 years ago. A music-loving snowman purchased only a couple of years ago celebrates our delight in music, the heart came from a good friend, and the jester is a memento of a stay in a favorite city, New Orleans.

Over the years, my husband has greatly expanded my understanding of what a family Christmas can be. He spends enormous effort finding just the right gifts, and then wrapping and presenting them in ways designed to surprise and delight. We also developed many family rites and traditions, mostly focused on daughter Abby.

Now Abby and Eric are creating traditions for their children, centered in their own home. Instead of packing up the kids to come here or trek to Montana, they arranged Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at home, and we spent part of each with them. Everything was relaxed, flexible, responsive to toddler needs, and designed for maximum delight.

I played with Augie's expanded train set, read to both kids, and crawled under the bunk bed while we played bone-digging archaeologist. I wore my new pink crown, chosen by Augie and Vi who have dubbed me "Glinda" in their ongoing Wizard of Oz fantasy.

Speaking of which, Peter and I made these ornaments (from a kit) and used them as gift tags. Vi handed out the gifts based on the characters she has assigned. When Augie got his Scarecrow gift, he laughed with excitement. "Mom, mom, look! I got a present and it has ME on top!"

I hope that you will giggle with joy and delight during this holiday season and through the new year.

17 comments:

Paul C said...

These are wonderful handcrafted gifts. Our family tradition was exchanging children's books to each other even after our daughters were teens. We have an excellent collection which are sure to be passed on to the next generation.

Jeanie said...

I love the ornaments with so much memory and meaning. Your Christmas sounds wonderful and I too love seeing my children create their own traditions.

Cheryl said...

The hand-off of traditions is a wonderful thing. Sounds like you had a blast with the grands.

You wear retirement well.

DJan said...

Yes, your retirement is progressing very well. And what lovely ornaments, all of different times and shapes and sizes. I enjoyed hearing about them.

Linda Myers said...

The hand-crafted special things are wonderful at this time of year.

Marion Williams-Bennett said...

Speaking of magic...thank you for this post and for all the joy you've shared with us this year!

All the best to you in the new year!

Kat said...

Being with the ones you love at Christmas is the best thing that can happen! I love your ornaments, old and new. I have lots of old ones from when the kids were in school. And I have new ones. So glad you are enjoying your retirement. I enjoy your posts.

Pearl said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time.

I have several things that come out this time of year that my son has made over the years, and it seems they get sweeter with time...

Pearl

Sally Wessely said...

I love hearing or reading about the history behind Christmas ornaments and/or Christmas decorations. It made me remember all over again why some of my ornaments are so special, and caused me to think about how we make new memories for our grandchildren and children.

gayle said...

Your ornaments are beautiful!! I also love the little gift tags you made! They are so cute!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Lovely ornaments all with a story..thanks for sharing them. I wish you many wonderful days of play in your new pink crown! Some people are just great shoppers..we have one in our family too..everything she picks out for people is just perfect. So I envy Peter with his ability:)

grammy said...

Sounds like a great time. Love the little ornaments...what a sweet Grandpa. Seems like more of us are spending time on Christmas at our kids house instead of everyone coming to the Grandparents. It certainly has it's perks...no dishes...no mess (o:

injaynesworld said...

Your ornaments are absolutely exquisite. I love a tree where each ornament has a story to tell. It looks like your Christmas was filled with laughter, love and joy. Everything you so richly deserve. May your 2011 be filled with the same.

Holiday hugs, Jayne

Kristy @Loveandblasphemy said...

Hope you have enjoyed yourself over Christmas! Happy New Year!

Indigo Roth said...

Hey Nancy! I'm rather late to the Christmas party (I mean, it's 2011 already where I'm sitting) but i hope it was a fabulous one for you. And I'm loving the Oz characters! Happy New Year! Indigo x

Deb Shucka said...

What a wonderful story. Your family has managed to keep the magic of Christmas alive in beautiful ways. My brothers and I, in our approaching old age, are beginning to create new traditions as we wait for their children to be in places to create their own.

Jeanie said...

Oh, Nancy, how fun to have a Peter who loves to craft with you! I'm afraid the annual Christmas Eve cookie decorating is as close as I can get Rick to the craft world!

I love the tree, the stories, the celebrations and these ornaments, made with love and in compantionship.

I've been absent for most of December so I send belated Christmas and New Year greetings your way!

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