Last year’s tree…
I’ve changed a lot since I was young. Believe it or not, I used to be a bit of a Grinch. Christmas wasn’t my favorite time.
But now that I’m older, I embrace the whole season—from November 1 till mid-January, I’m in holiday mode.
I’ll admit to being one of “those” people who decorates for Christmas before Thanksgiving. Don’t judge. It doesn’t mean that I forget Thanksgiving. It’s more that I think the whole season is one of Thanksgiving. Plus decorating is hard work and I want to enjoy it as long as I can!
So here are my 5 favorite things about this time of year:
- Christmas music. Oh, how I love it. On the TV, on the radio, even a Muppets Christmas record on the record player. I don’t care. Christmas music makes me happy.
- Candles. I’m a candle junkie. I admit it. And between the fall scents and the holiday scents, I am in hog heaven. In November, I lean toward Pumpkin scents or my favorite—Warm Caramel Cider. Once December arrives, it’s Fresh Balsam all the way. I don’t have a live tree, but my house smells like I do!
- Lights. There is something about twinkling Christmas lights that makes me feel like I’m a kid again. As I write this, my husband and I are headed to Opryland Hotel in Nashville, and I can’t WAIT to see their Christmas lights!
- Thanksgiving Day at Grandma’s. My family is the kind of family that gets together a lot. But there is always something special about being together on Thanksgiving Day. I am so thankful for them, and so blessed to have them.
- Christmas Day after all the presents are open and the food is eaten and everyone kind of collapses in a full and happy heap.
Bonus favorite…I always take one day during the holidays to just relax. The house is quiet and empty, and I stay in my softest jammies and enjoy coffee and a book in the decorated living room. That quiet day sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas is vital for me. (Can you guess I’m an introvert?)
How about you? Do you have a favorite tradition or favorite thing about this time of year?
My holiday motto…
Annalisa Daughety writes contemporary fiction set in historic locations, including the Walk in the Park series, Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio, and A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina. She lives in Arkansas and is hard at work on her next book.
Hello from England uk :-)
Wow what an adorable post! I LOVE the photo of your tree! So traditional n cosy!
Im a new fan of yours! I cant wait to begin your books….where would you recommend i start?
Xoxo
my direct mail
mcminnangela@yahoo.com
I’m a fan of Annalisa’s too! One of my favorites is A Wedding Date in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Great! Thanks Valerie i will check that book out. Also im still waiting for Amazon delivery of your books! Cant wait to read them as ive never read farm based fiction…i love it! Do you still live on a farm? Xx
That was such a sweet post. I also love the Christmas Season. Like you, the music is certainly one of my favorite parts of it; but also the movies, the books, the decorations as you mentioned. Just so many things about it I love.
As a widow, there are a lot of memories of really great times in the past as well. I used to bake a lot; now not so much as I live alone and have no children of my own to come home. But that is all right. I think that is one reason I love the movies at Christmas more than about any other time of year. Of course, Jesus is the main focus of my Christmas and He should be the main focus of Christmas in the lives of everyone.
Arh! Wat lovely words – makes us remember the true christmas message…beautiful!!