It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas ...Time for Tea

This year we are determined to fully celebrate the joyous season of Christmas for all that it is. Without one thing ~ being caught in the chaos of holiday shoppers.

The tree was completed this week-end ...  

The Nutcracker Ballet is a long time favourite and a Christmas tradition for me.

All the gifts purchased and wrapped!!!

This year we have an extra set of helping paws ...

Big brother Dolce is making sure his little sister Gabbana stays out of trouble, so he is guarding the gifts.

Once the tree was up, the gifts wrapped and the final touches of decor around our home were complete, it was time for tea and relax doing one of my favourite Christmas traditions ...

I set myself up on the island...

and wrote our Christmas cards to family and friends...

I brought out my Royal Albert - crown China "Bristol" , made in England, teacup and saucer.

Some lemon drop wafer bites ... and set to writing.

 

Are you all set for Christmas? 

Do you still send Christmas cards?

Please tell me I'm not the only one who still sends Christmas cards through the mail...

Sharing this post with:  Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea ~ Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea time Tuesday ~ Artful Affirmations and Martha's favorites for Teacup Tuesday  Table Top Tuesday ~  A Return to Loveliness Tuesday ~  between naps on the front porch ThursdayRose Chintz Cottage for Home Wednesday ;My Simple Country Life for The Country Homemaker Hop ;Katherine of Katherine’s Corner for Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop; Kathy of A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday;Sheri at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home; Courtney of French Country Cottage for Feather Your Nest Friday;Alison of Stuff and Nonsense for Fridays Unfold; At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday; Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday. ~  What Inspires Me Friday

Christmas Lights ~ When to light them?

Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, is credited with lighting the first Christmas tree with candles.  The story goes ~ while on his way home one dark winter's night near Christmas, he was struck with the beauty of the starlight shining through the branches of a small fir tree outside his home.  By using candles attached to the branches of his indoor Christmas tree, he duplicated the starlight. The Christmas tree was not widely used in Britain until the 19th century. In the 1820s, it was brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans.

One can only image the challenges of an open flame on a tree that has been cut and is slowly drying out. Thankfully today we have electricity and a (safe) variety of light strings from white lights to full and multiple colours to choose from.

The purpose of the Christmas Tree originally was to celebrate CHRISTMAS, traditionally Catholics did not put the Christmas tree up until after noon on Christmas eve.  With retailers capitalizing and commercializing the celebrations of Christmas by lining store shelves with Christmas decorations sometimes as early as October, consumers are forced  tempted to purchase their decorations earlier and earlier, for fear the selection will be gone. Think Charlie Brown Christmas tree. 

With the ever increasing commercialization many Christians today spend the entire season of ADVENT celebrating Christmas rather than preparing for it.  At the HHL home, we do put up decorations and tree before Christmas eve (guilty like the rest). This year however, we have not put the star on the tree, we will wait until Christmas eve. When little one's ask (you know they notice everything) "where is the star?"The door to conversation about waiting till Christmas eve will open. 

Great example of the effects of commercialized Christmas!!!

So, HHL readers ~ 

When do you put up Christmas decorations, tree, turn on lights?

49 Days ... what are your plans?

The holidays are a great opportunity to step off the treadmill of life and enjoy time with loved ones.

Today, (November 4th) I am GUEST POSTING over at 

Hope Filled Living ~ where I'm sharing some ideas on

Creating holiday traditions.

 Along with writing her wonderful inspirational blog, hosting seminars to empower women  and give them courage , Mary is a published author of inspirational and motivational books, has recently open a boutique in Michigan,  runs Sunshine in A Box program , and is soon launching Blogging Sisters 2012.

Thank you Mary for inviting me to Guest Post, it is an honour.

See you at Mary's CLICK HERE.!!