traditions old & new // 12.18.14
Christmas time is something that I look forward to and not even realize it until I am surrounded in holiday cheer. I can’t help but feel overwhelmingly content when the lights are all strung and the rich aroma of the mulling spices and gingerbread men fill the house. Twinkling lights and glittering ornaments, comforting cocoas and delicious soups, fuzzy socks and cozy blankets, nothing is better this time of year. I was inspired by Patience Brewster, an artist and designer of unique, hand-crafted ornaments, to share my holiday traditions and my family has quite a few now that I think about it. A Mass service followed by a wine and cheese dinner (one of my most favorite traditions) with one gift Christmas eve, waking up before the sun and waiting for the rest of the family before opening the pile of presents, lounging around the rest of the day and calling our extended family to say “thank you and Merry Christmas”. Dad always makes prime rib for dinner and Mom always set the table with beautiful flowers and decorations… everything just feels good and like home.
When my fiance entered the picture we made it a must-do to go around town and see all the Christmas lights we could in one night with hot cocoa or coffee in hand. I drove the first year and he still teases me about taking a corner on two wheels. We also spent half of Christmas day at each other’s house in attempt to enjoy both our families together.
This year will be a little different though, it will be our first Christmas together in one house. We have decorated our apartment with gold and white decorations with holly swags on the door, warm blankets in all the rooms and our first Christmas tree.
My parents have just moved across the country so this will be the first year without them and while I am going to miss them, I am going to also carry on some of those traditions in my new apartment to keep the memories alive. I am not sure how it will go, but Jas and I are looking forward to merging our families’ special moments and beginning our very own.
What traditions could not live without? Share them with me by tagging @basicallybubbly on Instagram or Twitter so I can see how you and yours celebrate this wonderful time of year.
Images via: 1. Holly Door Swag || 2. Restoration Hardware Luxe Throws || 3. Anthro Constellation LED Lights || 4. Target Bottle Brush Tree || My own Patience Brewster Krinkles "Dancer Reindeer" ornament with my tree