Wal-Mart has a Christmas tree. It's a seasonal decorative display
for the store to share with customers, not something to sell them.
.
All content included on this site such as text, graphics and images is protected by U.S and international copyright law.
The compilation of all content on this site is the exclusive property of the site copyright holder.
It's Looking A Lot Like Christmas
various days in December 2025
I remember when holiday decorations used to appear around the Thanksgiving weekend. Stores are now foisting holiday paraphernalia on us earlier and earlier. Decorations and merchandise is often displayed the day after Halloween, if not even earlier. It is difficult to maintain my enthusiasm when it becomes a month after month effort. Come and see what I have seen in stores, around town, at neighborhood gatherings, all in December.
Wal-Mart has a Christmas tree. It's a seasonal decorative display
for the store to share with customers, not something to sell them.
Every year I anticipate this wonderful display of Santa and reindeer flying up, up, and away
from a bulldozer. Corner of Ridge Road and Route 519. Just how do they manage to get it up?
We did get some snow. Well, at 7 inches I guess you can call it more than "some."
I brought the Breyer moose out to enjoy it. And a gnome a friend needle felted for me.
A Christmas eve gathering at a neighbor's, socializing, eating, and
drinking in a barn that's been converted for people rather than livestock.
Sign of the season - a lovely pot of poinsettia sitting on an obviously unlit stove.
Were you aware that poinsettia are named for Joel Poinsett, a physician, botanist,
and diplomat (he was at one time Secretary of War, then Minister to Mexico.) Also,
it was he who introduced poinsettia from Mexico, where they are native, to the US.
Of course this ws all happening two centuries ago, in the earlier years of the 1800s.
A lady mannequin, headless, with a wide bright red ribbon with a large,
strategically placed bow. I have gone sledding here. Perhaps she will too.
An adaptation. Well done. The ground was somewhat frozen, I was told.
Several spading forks were thrust into the soil, and holiday lights strung.
I somehow got confused (does happen) and thought the next neighborhood-and-family gathering would be on Boxing Day. Not so. On Christmas day our hostess called to see if all was well. And if it was, where were we? Oops. Tidy up ourselves, grab the tray of dessert which is what I offered to bring, and off we went to have a delightful time.
.
The hearth is crowded, stuffed, cluttered you might say, with nutcrackers, candles, shopping bags of gifts. Nutcrackers, why nutcrackers? Tchaikovsky's ballet tells the story of Clara, a young girl given a nutcracker as a Christmas gift. She falls asleep and dreams that the nutcracker comes to life as a handsome prince. Magical happenings right at the ballet's beginning, when the Christmas tree rises from the stage floor. There's a Mouse King, all sorts of dances and flourishes and happenings. So nutcrackers are a quintessential part of the holiday.
.
There's a tree, decorated with lights and baubles and charming items. My favorite is the ladder with Santa and elves.
A marvellous centerpiece filled with pinecone and silver spheres. It was bought at a stable's tag sale.
Such coordination. I'm impressed. Holiday cookie jars. And one of the guests brought holiday cookies.
.
.
Cutlery wrapped in holiday themed napkins. Ceramic coffee mugs ditto, with holly and berries.
A good time was had by all - delicious food, several desserts (which is spelled with two "s"s because you can have seconds)
But the holidays are not just for the young at heart. Young in years have a splendid time too.
If you have any comments or questions, you can e-mail me: jgglatt@gmail.com
Back to December
Back to the main Diary Page