CALDER & COMPANY
As I begin to work on this page, I feel myself getting excited about the holidays. I just love this time of year... the planning of holiday meals, searching for just the right Christmas cards, and the anticipation of seeing my children enjoy the season. There is so much to be thankful for and new memories to be created. The above picture was one of the rooms I decorated for a holiday fundraising Christmas tour in a local mansion. I have enjoyed this part of my decorating job as well as decorating private homes for the holidays. Each year our family had a tradition of cutting down our own Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving at a tree farm in Maine. As soon as we stepped out of our car the crisp clean air hits us in the face as a little wake up call. The smell of hot cider and freshly made green wreaths reminded me of my own childhood memories, and I enjoy thinking that this tradition has made a beautiful memory for our children. As we entered the homeowners back yard with our saw in hand, we listened to traditional Scottish Christmas songs playing from a sound system on the back porch of their holiday home. It was so beautiful there. Even if there was no snow yet, we were usually treated to a view of Mt. Washington with snow on its' peak. Then the came the hard part... We had to choose just one tree! We would go from one tree to another thinking each one was more beautiful than the last. Luckily, we were limited to a certain area of acreage. Once we found and cut our tree, we would load it on the car, and head back to our camp. We would enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate (OK, my husband and I had rum and eggnog), and we would warm up by the wood stove. Weather permitting, I would then head back outside to start collecting greenery for the garland to hang over the front door.Now that years have passed, our wonderful tradition has taken on a new path. Our children are now teenagers, and the past couple of years have been challenging to find time that we are all available to go hunt for the perfect tree, but decorating the tree together.... hot chocolate.... and eggnog with rum, are still a wonderful part of our family tradition.
Some quick and easy holiday hearth & home ideas
Tie beautiful french ribbons around pillows to make them look like Christmas packages
Tie candy canes around a short vase and fill with greenery and red berries
Make luminaries out of paper bags, sand, and votives then line your front stairs for holiday guests
Tie red ribbons the ends of pine cones, spread peanut butter on them, then roll in bird seed, hang them outside for the birds to enjoy.
Place a large candle in an empty half gallon milk carton (you might need to tape it in), fill the carton with water (do not cover your candle) and cranberries... freeze... and use outside as luminaries or in your holiday buffet.
Using a large decorative bowl, fill with beautiful red apples and glass ornaments for a quick holiday display.
Tuck fresh greens into artificial greens to add volume, scent, and beauty. Add baubles, ornaments, berries, and miniature wrapped boxes for a festive holiday garland or wreath.
Let children freeze water and food coloring in small or medium sized paper and wax drinking cups... add festive ribbon to the top.... freeze... then remove them from the cups and hang outside on trees for temporary ornaments.
Make a snowman kit. With the children, gather items for the face, buttons, clothes, and a hat. Put aside some hot cocoa and wait for the weather man to promise a beautiful snow fall.
`
