Our Holiday Calendar has gone askew. Some time before Halloween, we took a trip to Costco and the Christmas Decorations were in full force.
Nothing like seeing THIS before Halloween!
The “Holiday” décor was of better consumer placement than the Halloween candy and costumes were. It was quite disturbing for me.
And it brought memories of a childhood back to mind.
Halloween was that stretch of time where you thought about your “store bought” costume with the plastic mask that made you sweat and for some other reason gave you the gift of a constant drool. I’m thinking swallowing your saliva kept you hydrated as you roamed the neighborhood for hours in search of the house with the “good” candy.
I love the realistic “Baby Jane” application of the lipstick on this mask. I had this very one and can attest that there was a ton of sweat and drool within an hour of wearing this.
Then there was the delight of trading candy with siblings and friends and all those great autumn activities such as jumping into piles of raked leaves and closing your eyes to enjoy the wafting scent of burning leaves.
And the actual “smock” costume that you could wear OVER your outwear just made Halloween’s Trick or Treating experience epic!
Immediately following the Hallowed Eve, the planning for Thanksgiving began.
And no matter how many times, mine eyes have seen the glory of Norman Rockwell’s “Freedom from Want”, my personal Thanksgivings have been more like “Wishful Freedom from Stress”
Now, my mother was into total convenience and having five children to take care of didn’t help matters. She always had our Thanksgiving dinner “catered” by the deli up the street— “Bernie’s”. Bernie was our Thanksgiving chef. And to this day, I cannot stand turkey. For some reason, Bernie’s turkey had a horrific aftertaste. It didn’t taste homemade to me.
My mother opted for a catered-from-Bernie’s-deli Thanksgiving feast that looked NOTHING like this. It was all served in plastic containers.
Regardless, Thanksgiving was still a time for a great family meal. Except for those years when my dad had to report to the New York City Police Department as he worked on a rotating schedule.
But..the greatest thing about Thanksgiving was watching the parade. The spectacular floats. The marching bands. The celebrity hosts. And most of all, at the end of the parade, the arrival of the man—Santa Claus!
There were some great memories on the Upper West Side of NYC watching the Thanksgiving parade and standing outside in the cold freezing our asses off!
From Spiderman (and I must say that I’m impressed with my photographic talent, it was my Nikkormat camera and not a phone)…..
….to Ronald McDonald, we had a blast!
The official commencement of The Christmas Season was the arrival of Santa, sitting in his sleigh being wheeled through New York City streets, waving to the children both standing in the frigid cold and in the comfort of their toasty homes.
Now THIS was the start of Christmas Season!
The Santa. Last float of the Thanksgiving Parade. The official start of the Christmas season. I love old school…
Prior to his arrival, there were no Hallmark Christmas movies—especially in July.
Oops! I doth believe that the only Homegrown Christmas Lori Loughlin might be celebrating this year will be the one in the Big House!
There were no decorations or lights showcased from the neighbors’ homes and lawns.
Seriously folks, I would love to live next to this house.
The retail establishments kept the goods in the stock rooms until the arrival of the bearded man in the red suit!
It was an event!
Things have changed for sure!
My oldest son Jake with Wall Street Santa in 1984. I was working at the now-defunct Morgan Guaranty Trust company–I loved my job and I loved the perks. Each year the company held a Christmas party for the children of employees. It was incredible. Look at the way Jake is admiring Santa!
Although we celebrate Christmas on the 25th, we now lead up to that date so far in advance.
Christmas 1989. Roman still talks about this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle mask to this day. Ahhhh the simple gifts that Santa brings…
Oona with her favorite doll she named Oats. And I still have Oats packed away! I’m in a state of shock that my horrible mothering lack of skills allowed my daughter to eat chocolate so early on Christmas morning and I never even bothered to wipe her face!
December 25th, best day of the year and within hours it’s gone….
As Bonaparte and I were driving through downtown Phoenixville last Tuesday evening to my WW studio session (don’t judge—I can’t drive at night due to my lack of vision), I noticed an unusual sight. Christmas wreaths were hung from the downtown lampposts. It was both equal parts horrifying and delightful.
Horrifying because it was barely a week after Halloween and delighted because I’m looking forward to all things Christmas.
Not gonna lie. I’ve been listening to Christmas music in the car. That Vince Guaraldi—right??
Bonaparte is quite concerned that I’m listening to this so far ahead of the start of the Season!
Friday morning before work, I stopped at Walmart because I wanted a bag of carrots to munch on. I ended up with a couple of Christmas decorations for the house.
Yes. I did. And I’m not ashamed either!
So, what’s my train of thought on this rush for the most wonderful time of the year?
I’m embracing it. Fully. And hoping that man and womankind put aside feelings of hatred toward others and for at least a month start to behave in a more respectful manner. I want values to be exercised.
Come along with me as I show you a bit of the Christmas cheer in downtown Phoenixville.
Come on. Hop in my car and take a drive to downtown Phoenixville, PA!
The wreaths are all placed atop the lamp posts! What’s this? We could DONATE a wreath???? Why did I not know this? Atypica60 would LOVE to donate a wreath and to see her name displayed!!
The Pub in Phoenixville is in full-tilt Santa Boogie!
He just asked me what I wanted! I told him a winning Powerball ticket!
Frosty is inching his way into the scene…
This is making me so utterly happy and warm and fuzzy inside!
The greens have been hung…
And the lights are up. Oh lordy, I’m so excited that I need a Depends!
I love downtown Phoenixville!
And a Very Merry to you!
Hope you enjoyed the pre-season fun!!!
And I did manage to get a little bit of the holidays into the house!
