The Count down begins

I find it strange that only in the United States has Christmas become SUCH a huge big deal.

In France and Germany and indeed, most of western Europe they don't even put their trees up until the week before Christmas. And you don't see those HUGE inflatable Christmas lawn decorations.

For me, I love Christmas. It's a time for family, wonderful decorations that we grew up with scattered with new ones that become old soon enough. We have our Hummel nativities in the family that I cherish and they have history too. My mom gave up our old white electric star after years of trying to find a star or angel that she like better. I am sure it got tossed but I don't recall when.

There was a time when my mom made all these felt birds and ornaments and some of those still go on the tree along with a christmas card I made her with a gingerbread on it when I was in pre-k. I hesitate to describe it but for some reason I decided that the gingerbread needed teeth and teeth he got. Jaws teeth. He looks the evil gingerbread. Run Run as fast you can - you can't catch me - he's the scary ginger bread man.

I got my first "grown -up" tree this year. Up until now I have had my 4 1/2 foot Harrows tree. Its probably 10 years old. I just bought a 6 1/2 foot pre-lit tree. I cannot wait for it get here. I just got my issue of Martha Stewart Living with some great ideas for decorating the house. I cannot wait.

My mom LOVES Christmas. So by all rights so do the rest of us. We look forward to it every year. The music starts on Thanksgiving ( So seriously, who kidnapped the Carpenters CD? It's been MIA for a couple of years now - not that I miss it.... ) and goes straight on through January. My mom does classic, and elegant decorations in the house. She doesn't have any baudy or cheesy decorations. It's all soft and warm and heavenly. I look forward to that day every year.

This year it will be at my brothers. I fully expect this to be different but similar. He and my mom have similar tastes and their home is beautiful. I expect the same family warmth - double the size at the least, the same music, food, classic decorations the whole shebang. I am looking forward to it this year.

The only difference is my brother's decorations will make it down before Valentines day.

My mom's won't.

She's a hoot!