I have always loved the day that “Christmas” comes out of the attic. I love the magic of lights and candles, colors and keepsakes. 

My mom is a boss when it comes to Christmas decorations – she used to cover the mantelpiece with angel hair, lights, and figurines. I thought it was magical. 

Mom would sit us down at the table (myself and my three sisters), and we would get to choose which Christmas cookies we would bake with her. These delicacies would then be plated up and given away as gifts. 

Nat King Cole is the soundtrack in these memories.

The practice of placing a wreath of holly on the front door began in Ireland. Holly flourishes at Christmastime, and it gave poorer people the ability to generously decorate their homes. 

Read the rest of this entry →