I love Christmas. Our families do not live near by and between that distance and having to be back for work on the 26th, we don’t make it home for the holidays often. My family lives in the Great White North where it’s possible to actually have snow on Christmas. It’s an 11 hour drive to get to the house on Ridgemont Drive in the Great White North. Nathan’s family lives on the Eastern Edge of America where it’s not likely it will snow at all, much less on Christmas. It’s a 3 hour drive to get to the house on Byers Avenue. We used to kill ourselves to visit the Eastern Edge of America but a few years back we decided we would stay home instead and it was nice.
We have begun creating our own Christmas traditions. Growing up my family spent Christmas Eve with my mother’s family. My mother had two sisters and every year each would take a turn hosting the Christmas Eve party at their home. When we would return home, my brother and I were allowed to open one present each. I would love to carry on this tradition but Nathan will not let me because, because, well, because he can. So we are creating a new tradition; the Begging and Pleading Tradition. The tradition where, every year on Christmas Eve as we sit in our living room with the tree all aglow with twinkling lights and presents cozily tucked under the tree, Joanna begs and pleads with Nathan to let her open one present. Just one. She will explain that it was a family tradition growing up which clearly means she should be allowed to do it as an adult in her own home. Nathan will refuse, smiling all the while and occasionally snickering. Eventually Joanna will relent but only because it’s not fun to open presents by yourself unless it’s your birthday. Another tradition we are creating is Spending the Holiday with The Rapp Family Tradition, who also just happen to be our neighbors this year. Plans are still coming together but whatever we do it is sure to be great fun. Every year I aspire to make great things for presents, whether they be edible or artsy because it is not only an expression of the creative energy constantly bubbling over inside me but because it also saves money. Hence, the last of the new traditions;the Frugality and Creativity Tradition. This year was a grand success!. I was able to send off family Christmas presents for under $100. That’s presents for 10 adults and 5 children, wrapping and shipping costs included. I have gone crazy with the Gocco and printed my own gift wrap, cards, decorations for gift bags, and gifts themselves. I used Blik Glass Stiks to decorate candles and ornaments. Needless to say, I’ve been feverishly at work in Santa’s Workshop and have been feeling a little scattered. I think I have taken pictures of everything I’ve made so I’ll be sharing those soon, once everyone has been gifted….
On a side note, Sarah at Scene3 Boardshop has taken several of my projects on as consignment. If you live the area, stop by and check it out!
