I love the holiday season. There really is something so magical about it. The festive lights, the Christmas carols, the fancy decorations, the gift wrapping and giving, hot cocoa, snuggling up by the fire, and of course, the whole reason we celebrate Christmas – Jesus’ birth. I mean, it doesn’t get much better than that.
Of course, sometimes I need a good reminder of these things. Like last night, when my daughter decided she just didn’t want to go to sleep, and her normal 7:30 bedtime turned into a 10:00 bedtime… Or today, as I’m pretty sure I’m coming down with my 4th cold in 3 months. Ugh. Or when the cat barfed earlier this morning.
Hence, the reason for this post. I want to take some time at the end of a rough day to talk about what is making me happy right now.
ONE – Vintage (and meaningful) decorations.
My mom always went all out when I was growing up, and I remember absolutely loving all the decorations around the house. As kids, my brother and I had many favorites among the decor, and I can recall the excitement of getting to pull everything out of the closet each year. I think the fact that we only have Christmas decorations up for a limited amount of time makes them seem so special. Well, now that my brother and I are grown and out of the house, my mom doesn’t decorate the way she used to. In fact, a few years ago, she started doling out many of the decorations to my brother and I. I now get to display many Christmas items from my childhood around the house. Some of the most special decorations that I put out each year are either woodworking items that my dad handmade, or cross-stitch that my mom did. I absolutely love being able to look around my house and be surrounded by so many memories.
TWO – This. Coat.
Unfortunately, this terrible iPhone photo is the best one I have of her in it. I need to get some better shots before the season is over!
As with the decorations, my mom saved some of my old clothes as well, which were passed on to me when we found out I was having a little girl. This little red coat used to be mine, and this Christmas season, my daughter is wearing it. She gets multiple compliments every time she wears it, and I’m so glad that my mom had the foresight to save so many things like this.
THREE – My homemade peppermint mocha creamer.
I love peppermint. It’s one of my very favorite flavors. So, it stands to reason that I love the Christmas season with all of its pepperminty goodness. (Did you know pepperminty is actually a word? I didn’t get the dreaded red squiggly underline telling me it was spelled incorrectly. Who knew?!) This coffee creamer is so delicious and so easy to make. It makes my morning cup of coffee so festive and delicious.
FOUR – Playing Christmas music on the piano.
Because a photo of her playing the piano is WAY cuter than a photo of me playing.
If you’ve visited my About Me, you already know that I was a professional pianist for a number of years. I don’t play much anymore, as I am more than busy chasing my toddler around all day. I was recently asked to play at a church service here in town though, and it was so wonderful to be able to dust off all of my Christmas music and play for awhile. For me, this is the easiest way to feel the Christmas spirit. Have you ever had an experience where you “felt the spirit?” (Whatever that may mean to you personally.) Playing Christmas music pretty much guarantees this for me. It’s a feeling that I really can’t describe, but I love it.
So, there you have it. Four things that I am loving this season. How about you? What are you loving right now?
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