Our Christmas tree tickles the 15’ high ceiling in the living room at Fox Hall. One year we had a live tree the same size, but the branches became stiff after a few weeks in the house. My son then had to use a chainsaw to cut the branches off so that it would fit back out through the doorway… hence the debut of an artificial tree!
As we embrace and celebrate this holiday season before us, I believe that 2020, a most challenging year, has opened our eyes wider and made us more grateful for our health, and life on earth, than ever before. We also cherish our precious loved ones even more, especially when we cannot be with them.
In the words of Norman Vincent Peale, “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”
Have you ever considered creating a few “petite vignettes” on tabletops as a quiet nod and serene gesture to decorating for the holidays? A Christmas tree that fills the room or one that touches the ceiling is also oh, so joyful and majestic! Yet, discovering a few little, almost secret, treasured festive displays sprinkled around the house is a tender tribute to the magic of the season with a hint of innocence ... conjuring the sweet memories of Christmases past.
A collection of Austrian bronze deer have made their appearance each year, bounding onto one sideboard in the dining room, peacefully grazing near a miniature candle tree.
Mummy loved this sparkly, miniature musical tree. The sound of the music is magical and it reminds me that my parents are there with me in spirit the very moment I hear the first note. I wind it up to hear the music as I begin to arrange the charming orchestra of hand-carved angels from Germany, a collection added to each year by my son-in-law’s thoughtful German family.
Enchantment often comes in small packages, just like tender loving gestures and a few well placed Lilliputian decorations! What are some of yours?
Grandmillennial Tips:
Place an ornament as an embellishment when presenting a tray of hors d’oeuvres. A dab of poster board clay on the bottom will keep it from falling off. This little Herend bunny elf, given to me by my amazing mother-in-law, dances and kicks his festive gold-tipped shoes up at my guests!
Pluck a few sprigs of holly to adorn your hors d’oeuvres, or on your butter plates. Be careful to discard any red berries from the holly. Do NOT bring the red berries into the house if you have children as they are poisonous!