I collect Father Christmas, ornaments shaped like stars and snow flakes, and all kinds of sleigh bells. I crave fruit cake and rum, roasted root vegetables and goat cheese, chocolate, spice, and apples.
Things that are old and brassy appeal to me. I don't enjoy the modern decorations that want to make this festive season into a design contest for the Winter Olympics with stylized trees and snow flakes. Give me old and gaudy over new and plastic in all things.
I like late winter nights looking at the lights reflecting off snow, buildings, and ponds. White string lights should be up all winter, not just between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.
My decorations for this season are often left up late into January. I don't understand those who literally rip everything down the morning of the 26th and act like the season never happened. I also don't understand those that drift from mall to mall and sale to to sale. Give me a gift that will last over something cheaply made and bought at 4:00 am.
Call me "trad" or old fashioned; I don't care. I know what I like in my holiday celebrations and respect your celebrations in all their forms.
Enjoy the season.
