Sharing a Vintage Christmas

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I remember the first time I visited my friend Lee's family.  We drove about two hours to a place that surprisingly is still on the map, but just barely.  Nestled among lush green rolling hills, there's a church and a handful of houses and a little bridge that skips over a small creek (where she and her sisters used to swim as young girls).  Geese waddle across the road and folks smile and wave as you pass by.

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My friend's parents live a mile or so outside of "town" on top of a big hill, crowned with tall watchful trees and during harvest surrounded by fields of golden shimmering wheat.  Three or four times a year, the children and grand-children gather on this hill in the old familiar farmhouse and fill it with laughter and love and warmth.  Grandma buzzes about the kitchen with the help of her four daughters preparing a holiday feast and grandpa props grandkids up on his knee and tells stories of fishing and hunting and the old days.

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There are no big screen TVs or expensive CD players, no designer clothes or fancy furniture, just love and caring and a strong sense of belonging to something special and real and wholesome. For me, these times were precious and I looked forward to them.  I would walk around the property, among the trees and in the fields, letting nature in all its wonder wash over me, feeling it wipe away the grime and chaos and stress of the city.  Then, I would rejoin the family and we'd talk and laugh and play games.  To me, this is what the Holidays are all about.

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And with that in mind, do we have some Holiday treats for you.  Both our Contributing Staff Writers and members have created some Holiday Blogs to warm the heart and fill the soul with the Spirit of the Season.

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A Vintage Christmas
Discover how handcrafted ornaments loving passed from generation to generation can transform the Holiday Season, transporting us back to a slower, simpler time ... this blog is filled with a sleighful of nostalgic, creative ideas ... you won't want to miss it!  Read more >

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Unplugging the Holidays
When you hear the word Christmas, does it always evoke an image of Victorian folk gripping steaming mugs of cider and singing carols around the piano and children who eyes light up at the sight of a wooden horse or hand stitched dolly?  Then, read on and find out how you can unplug the Holidays and take a step back in time this year ...  Read more >

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Book Review: Holiday picks for Children
It may be hard to see past Rudolph, Frosty, and the Grinch during the holidays, but if you look carefully, you're sure to find classic stories the kids will enjoy not just now, but throughout the year. Have a look at some of our favorites.  Read more >

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OOPS! Quick fixes for the Holidays
If I ask you to close your eyes and picture the perfect holiday dinner party, would elegantly dressed guests come to mind, sitting at an impeccably decorated table by flickering candlelight? Then you're certainly not at my house, and you can disregard this article. For the rest of you, here are some essential quick fixes for those little holiday mishaps.  Read more >

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A Journey through Christmas
In a world where crowds rush shopping malls to hunt for the season's latest, greatest, everyone's gotta have it, mass produced, here today gone tomorrow gadget, one man was being led by his love of all things Christmas past.  Read more >

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The Language of Love
This blog is not necessarily about Christmas or anything vintage, but it most certainly addresses the issue of how to communicate more lovingly with those we do love and during the Holiday Season as stresses and emotions mount, being able to communicate with one another more effectively certainly could come in handy.  Read more >

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Electronic Babysitters
During the Holiday Season (maybe more so than ever), we come to depend on Electronic Babysitters (television, DVDs and video games) to entertain the kids and free up our time to get things done.  But just how dependent upon this new technology should we become?  Read more >

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Organizing for the Holidays and throughout the Year
Trying to manage hectic schedules for work, family and life during the hectic Holiday Season can be a daunting task. So, how about we share some organizational ideas and free up some time in the long run. By sharing tips that work with each other, we will not only remove the concerns of the unknown but will encourage one another to set some time aside to actually get going on the areas that need organizing the most.   Read more >

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Jumpstarting the Holidays with Trivia
Nothing rekindles fond memories of years gone by like a game of Trivia.  Read more >

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