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Christmas has arrived early this year

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Christmas has arrived early at my place. With everything going on this past year and the cranky mood I’ve been in lately, I’ve decided I needed a little cheer in my life. And so, last night I went through my many boxes of Christmas decorations that I inherited from my parent’s collection, and I got out my tiny tree. It’s a work in progress.

The key is to make sure all the lights are in working order before decorating the tree. One of the strands burned out last year and so I have to order in a new one. I was hoping to remove these lights and use mixed color lighting this year, but this was a prelit tree and it’s going to take some work to remove them. So, perhaps I will wait until the white lights die out.

Ignore the mismatched colors. I’ll be fixing that once I get to the store. I’ve been checking Amazon for some hooks that I can use to hang lights on the fireplace without damage and Command hooks were suggested to me. I’m also on the hunt for inexpensive garland to wrap around the fireplace. And maybe some LED candles. I’ve been pretty careful about money the past couple of months and so, I feel I deserve a little pick me up. The little tree does light up – I just need to put batteries into it. And all the decorations you see on my fireplace, were either from my parent’s house or gifted to me by my mother.

Precious Moments

I love Precious Moments figurines. My mum was hooked on these back in the early 2000s. I don’t remember when she gifted me this little set, but I’ve had it for nearly forever. I have a few other pieces that I need to find a home for, including an angel and Christmas star. I have quite a few ornaments from this series too and think my theme for my tree this year will be a very Precious Moments kind of tree.

Taken in 2012, playing around with macro photos.

This is my fave – Tinker Bell

Christmas Memories

Christmas was my mother’s favorite holiday. I mean, she loved all the holidays, but she shined at Christmas time. She’d spend most of December in the kitchen baking meat tarts, pies, Yule logs, meringues and other delicious treats. As kids, we’d gather with neighbours to spread cheer around the neighbourhood and sing carols. Then we’d head back to our house for hot chocolate and dessert.

As a Danish kid, we’d celebrate Christmas Eve with my dad’s family and then we’d host Christmas Day with mum’s family. At least until the family got too big and my generation started having kids. Now we only see the aunts and uncles at special events.

The house was decorated early in December and mum would spend hours perfecting the tree until she became too ill to do it herself. Then my sister took over with her kids. And after mum died, and dad fell ill, she got him a table top tree so he could still have a bit of Christmas cheer in the house.

Oh, how I miss Christmas at home. More than anything, I’d love to have just one more family dinner there. But sadly, we no longer own the house. It was sold last year.

This was one of the last trees my sister decorated before switching to the table top tree. And yes, those chairs may look familiar as they’re in my living room now. I cannot express how hard it was to let go of this house. My family wanted me to buy it – but it was way too much upkeep for one person – and money too. I have a feeling mum is still there. It was her dream home. And she used to joke that she would find a way to stay there forever.

After we moved dad out of the house, we started celebrating Christmas at my sister’s home. She loves to celebrate and her husband enjoys cooking. They do a turkey every Christmas day, and we all bring dishes for a family potluck. We stopped buying gifts for everyone a few years back. Instead we do a gift exchange of one gift for all the adults. I’ve learned to buy something I like and no one else would want. It’s what they all do!

My sister has a beautiful home. I was just there on the weekend and spent most of the day with her family. It was a nice visit. We also got my dad out for his birthday too.

Danish Christmas

Every year for the past 15 years, I have played the organ at the church for the Christmas services. The Danish celebrate Christmas on the 24th so it is always a busy day. We have two services. Before the pandemic, we would have a Christmas party and then a turkey dinner. We’d also go caroling as a group and sing funny Danish Christmas songs. But sadly, all that has been cancelled since 2020. It’s something I’m really missing this year.

One year, the church was so cold upstairs, that we had to move the service to the basement on Christmas morning. We had a small group but it was a memorable day and I got to play the piano for the service. I don’t talk about the church often here. Religion is not part of my life. But I’m there for the music and community. And to learn more about my Danish heritage. It’s important to me. I’ve cut back on services and will eventually reduce that to one service a month.

Christmas Decor

Every year we would have a party where the kids would decorate the tree with handmade paper decorations which is a long time honoured Danish tradition. I really want to make some decorations this year. Where I’m going to hang them is another question.

Last year, I bought a $40 four foot tree from Michaels. I hadn’t had a tree in a few years due to the mice and said to heck with it. I wanted a tree. I was going to buy a bigger tree this year, but meh. This tree is still works for now.

Christmas 2020

Christmas warms my hearts

I have no idea what’s is going on for Christmas this year. But I thought decorating early might perk up my spirits. I made the mistake of listening to some Christmas music on YouTube yesterday and I wound up crying at the emotional performances. This time of year always makes me a bit sentimental. I miss my mum. I miss our house. But I guess that’s part of life. Things change. You grow. You adapt. And now Christmas for me, is wherever dad and my family happen to be.

I do know that I want to decorate my new home and bring some merry cheer into my life. I’m going to work on new music videos for YouTube, and will get started early on baking. And of course, there’s my special little Christmas dinner that I do for myself every year.

Christmas Time

What’s your favorite part about the Christmas season? Do you celebrate Christmas where you are? And what are your family traditions? I’ll be sharing more stories as the season draws closer. I love the lights, the trees, the music – all of it.

If you love Christmas as much as I do, please follow my blog!

Personal

Merry Christmas!

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It’s Christmas morning. The sun is shining. It’s a warm day outside. The birds are singing. And I’m sipping my coffee and a glass of eggnog. The tree is lit and I’m enjoying Christmas music from members of the Danish church today. It is giving me mixed emotions.

Joy from the beautiful music and blessings. Sadness because this is the first year in 16 years that I’m not playing the organ or piano at the church. But grateful that we have so many talented musicians – it means that I get a break every now and then. For a long time, it was just me providing music for all the services, weddings, funerals, and holiday seasons. Now I have help – and I don’t feel obligated to work through all the holiday weekends. It’s kind of nice.

This morning my sister dropped off some goodies. We hugged and I gave her some books that mum had given us when we were kids. We laughed over my Walmart Christmas pants. Yes, they’re a thing and they’re comfortable as hell. I love them. I waved to her husband. We chatted briefly before she went home. It was difficult not to tear up.

I miss my mom today. And my dad. I really wish we could see him. Maybe we can drop by later and wave to him through the window. It just breaks my heart that he will be on his own. It doesn’t seem fair that I can visit my sister and her family but he can’t.

We have a zoom call scheduled for this afternoon which helps. I just wish my dad could participate. But it is what it is. And so, therefore, eggnog at 10:30 am.

I’d like to take a moment to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I know that this year has had its challenges and it hasn’t been easy. I know some of you are at home and alone today. Trust me, I know what that feels like being single.

I just wanted to let you know that you aren’t really alone. You have people out there who care about you. I care about my readers and look forward to your comments daily and getting to know you all.

Thank you so much for being here with my this year.

Merry Christmas to all. Here’s some music for you to enjoy.

Celtic Christmas

Personal

A mostly single Christmas celebration

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Christmas is just a few days away and I’m struggling to get into the spirit of the season. Even though I’ve recorded two albums, and decorated my home – I’m just feeling – what’s the word? Uninspired? Lonely? Apathetic? All of the above?

I think the hardest thing for me this year is not being able to see my dad. I still call him daily and we chat as much as we can. But it’s not the same. I miss being in person even if only for hour long visits. Or even if I just hold his hand while he sleeps. These are precious moments of what could be his last year of his life that have been stripped away from us.

The guilt from not seeing him is over whelming. I can’t even find the words to describe it. I’ve never felt anything like it before. He’s being held prisoner and hasn’t even been able to leave his apartment since Halloween. This is what COVID-19 has done to seniors and patients in long-term care settings.

I also told my sister she has permission to shoot me if I ever get to that point. I’m putting it down in writing now. Shoot me. I don’t want to have to rely on someone to get me out of bed, help me to the bathroom or even wipe my own ass. It’s just no way to live.

So, in an effort to get into the spirit of Christmas, at which, I will be at home and alone for – I’ve decided to splurge on groceries this week. What a spread it’s going to be on the 24th.

Meal Planning

Specialty crackers, liver pate, spinach dips, yogurt dips, brie cheese, gouda cheese, salami, garlic sausage, veggies and fruit. Top that off with party mixes, popcorn and maybe some baking that I will get to later this week..

I’m going for a traditional Danish celebration for Christmas Eve. This usually involves a lot of crackers, rye bread, cheese, meats, and finger foods. Emphasis on the cheese and meats. I don’t have any snaps, but I’ll have eggnog and rum.

5 alternatives to the cheese board for your next dinner party

Christmas Movies

I’ll watch my favorite Christmas movies. I’ve already done that for the last few nights. I watched Four Christmases, New in Town, Home Alone, Die Hard (yes, Christmas), and all the my favorite childhood movies – even Alvin and the Chipmunks and Frosty the Snowman.

I still have more to watch – Scrooged, Santa Clause, Jack Frost, Snow Day, While You Were Sleeping. And of course, Sex and the City the movie, which I watch every Christmas.

It isn’t Christmas without Bill Murray. It just isn’t.

Vintage Christmas

But nothing puts a smile on my face like The California Raisins Christmas. Now this is memories of my childhood. Yes, my young readers, it also makes me OLD. This is right up there with the Bony M Christmas album we used to listen to at work back in the day.

I also watch all the old That 70’s Show Christmas episodes and favorite tv episodes from over the years. I guess even That 70’s Show is considered “vintage” now. God, I feel old.

Decorations

My home is already decorated with a small tree, lights and a nativity scene. It’s not what I wanted for this year, but it will do. I might make some paper decorations tomorrow or on Christmas Eve like we did as kids with my Danish family. But we’ll see. I might just settle for a few glasses of eggnog, spiced rum and well, you know how that goes.

That reminds me – I need to run to the liquor store tomorrow. I’m almost out of rum. The bottle only lasted me a year.

Family Fun

We’ve scheduled a family zoom chat for Christmas day. It won’t be the same as seeing the kids in person, but it will have to do. We haven’t bought our “family” gifts – we won’t exchange presents until we can be together in person again.

Today, I’m working on digital Christmas cards and fun things I can send to the kids. Who really aren’t kids anymore. But at least we have technology to get us through this strange time.

And that’s it in a nutshell. That’s how I plan on spending my first solo Christmas. While it makes me sad not to be able to see anyone, I know many others are on their own this year. So, I hope this post helps you come up with creative ways to spend Christmas alone.

How are you spending the holidays this year?

Let me know in the comments!