…the sights are delightful and feelings of joy all about.

I love these days of the Christmas season. The shopping is done, gifts wrapped and either sent to homes away or nestled under the tree. The menus have been planned and the groceries bought, including special items a little on the luxurious side, just things we don’t indulge in except for special occasions. The makings of a punch I always make for breakfast Christmas morning, the fancy cheeses and crackers, and the special relishes of pickles, olives, cocktail onions and vegetable plates. All prepared and waiting in the fridge to be served.

The lights have been in the windows for a couple of weeks now and the tree as well, all bringing a quiet coziness to the rooms. I have always loved walking the neighbourhoods back in Ontario and seeing how people like to decorate their windows and outdoors. A recent article in the Halifax Chronicle started with a headline, ‘Expert advise for holiday decorating’ and a byline, ‘Expert advise for holiday decorating’. A three-quarter page article, above-the-line! It’s not to say the article didn’t have merit or that it wasn’t appreciated, especially by new home owners or people finding themselves out on their own for perhaps the first time. I read the article with mild interest and thought back to those walks and wonder if anyone really every changes their Christmas decorating style after a few years.

I have my decorations in bins, stacked in the basement and all labelled for ease of use. Some of the bins can be accessed early such as the one marked ‘Entrance’ or ‘Kitchen’ or even ‘Bathroom’. (Yes, I have some decorations in the bathroom!) So they start to make their way upstairs mid-November and the contents get swapped out for what is currently on shelves. I also have collectable village pieces that replace my sewing machine, my Skylight frame and a few other sentimental items I love to have around. The same decorations come out and get placed in just about the exact same position as they did last year. 

Here where I live in Nova Scotia today, we’re rural so there is no ‘walking the neighbourhood’. Instead we drive and I think it might be even more delightful as we drive in the pitch dark of night with only our headlights providing light until we come upon a house dotting the landscape. As with many houses in the country, windows are not necessarily covered with curtains. Since no one is walking the old road and the speed limit is 80kms/hr passersby are in vehicles and can only get a glimpse as opposed to looking in. To come upon these treasures at this time of year is a real treat as they are decorated on a spectrum from multitudes of wildly colourful lights and decorations to simple, subtle, tiny white lights and whole variety in between.

By midday on Christmas Eve, at the time I am sitting at my laptop, I am able to sit back and reflect on the season. It’s been a good year. The house is tidy, the dogs are feeling the energy and quietly resting. We prepare for church to celebrate and worship. We look forward to the phone calls we’ll have in the morning as we greet family and friends we won’t get to see in person. My heart is bursting with love and the joy of this season!

I wish all who read this post a joyous, safe, and healthy Christmas.

Enjoy….