is anyone out there so not-at-all-prepared for the encroaching holiday season as i? the local news is already talking about shopper stress, the giant evergreen has been delivered to the downtown mall and blogland is chock full of gift tips and crafty decor. every part of me wants to bury my head in the sand, preferably the white sand of some far off coastline that doesn't celebrate christmas.
ok, i'm sorry.
the essence of it all for me is the winter solstice. the candles, the flaming yule log, the strings of twink-light, all urging the sun to return. the evergreen being that which remains vibrant in the deadest time of year. the presence of faerie. i just have to keep reminding myself of the essence, and of how very magical it can and should be through the eyes of my child.
but this year, for what-ever reason, i have a feeling i'm going to have to battle the scrooge with all my might.
the evil elf pictured above. i found it at the thrift store today.
i also found this awesome cosmetic bag, brand new with tags, $1 instead of $22.
and this little framed picture i so love, age of innocence
even if it costs less than a few lattes a week, this thrifting habit is a little over the top lately. . .
but finally, the grand prize, these magnets, still packaged, $2 instead of $12, made by blueq, which seems to make lots of fun must-have kitsch. can you read the small print?
i had to just stick the whole package on the frig.
there were a few other things, but they're surprises.
and to get myself in the holiday spirit, i'm going to have my first ever blog give-away. i'm a little afraid. what if no one responds?
say hello in my comments, mention something about what keeps you afloat through the holiday season, and make sure to leave your email address. i'll do a random drawing and the winner will receive a package of these fabulous magnets (of course i picked up more than one package!).
you know you want some!
4 comments:
I'll play--
I'm not at all in the holiday spirit right now. Like you, I'd rather skip it.
But I reckon, just like last year, there will come a time when I feel inspired to get the plastic boxes of holiday stuff down from the top shelf of the closet and decorate the mantle. I have been getting a little more jazzed about it each year.
I can't afford to buy a bunch of presents, so for the past 3 years, I have made elderberry cough syrup for friends and family at holiday time. Last year, I got the proportions wrong somehow, and my syrup fermented. Bottles exploded in transit, or in refrigerators. :o
Now that I know the potential for disaster, I'll be extra careful this year!
A few things keep my head above the commercial waters:
My super-shiny 1950's aluminum tree (I call it a solstice tree) with pale pink and turquiose metallic glass ornaments
Mulled cider and/or wine (though I'm having to lay off both right now!)
The thought that in the midst of all the chaos, the earth is tilting us back toward longer days
Usually I'm cracking open homemade early summer dandelion wine around the winter solstice
The enjoyment my parents & grandma get out of Christmas
An always interesting time of year!
hello!
what keeps me afloat falls into two categories: unhealthy and healthy.
unhealthy means of staying afloat: bitching. specifically, bitching about the commercial excess that is america, and the samsaric trick that keeps everyone thinking that if they just buy one more plastic toy or inflatable lawn reindeer that they will finally be happy. (i told you it was unhappy.)
healthy means of staying afloat: making thoughtful presents for my loved ones, drinking mulled wine (maybe not so healthy?), and spending as much of my holiday time hanging out with friends as possible. like you all on new years eve!!!
you know the email...
That zombie elf at the top of the post is the most hysterical decorations I've ever seen. Is it vintage. It makes me think that Santa is slipping speed to his staff ti increase production.
Post a Comment