Today we got a special delivery. The lovely Lee from Killiecrankie Farm dropped off our beautiful Xmas Tree. (We thought about picking it up - but it meant making room in the car by losing a couple of our offspring ... after a very small pause we decided it was best that it was delivered). Sustainably farmed and cut fresh this morning, the tree is a vision of the festive season and has already filled our house with the most beautiful pine aroma ... feels like we are taking a stroll through a forest and we are only traversing from the kitchen to the lounge room. If you have yet to get a Xmas tree - get in touch with Lee - They have 4 sizes and they are so incredibly beautiful!We hauled out the 'Christmas Box' and began our annual ritual of dressing the tree. Our decorations have been lovingly collected from our travels over the past few years as well as saved from special friends and times that seem so far away now. The collection of an ornament from each place we have visited started late (we pilfered the idea from my sister and bro-in-law) but we have still managed a few. Each year, as they are placed on the tree we get to reminisce a little ... I love this time! And now that Edie is a little older she too is keen to hear the stories as each piece is placed on the tree. I have many favourites ... these are but a few ...
This guy, St Nicholas is from Prague. We were there a couple of days after Xmas in the snow, drinking gluhwein. Each time I see him I think of white Christmases!
This one is up there as my number one ... cheesy, kitsch and hopelessly tacky it commemorates our halcion days of living in Edinburgh ... where pipers (good, bad and just plain ugly) adorn street corners, playing for a few coins from tourists. You press it and it plays Scotland the Brave. I will truly be gutted when the little battery gives up. We still miss Edinburgh (Hi Sharkey xxx). We know we will live there once more!
This one is actually from Loz. She got it in Russia when she embarked on her Trans Siberian Railway adventure which she undertook for her 60th birthday. She had been booked to go in 1968, but got married instead. I grew up hearing how much Mum regretted not going, despite getting married. This wee ornament reminds me that you never have to give up your dreams. I love Xmas.
10 comments:
Wow Gemma - your tree looks wonderful - and all of your stash of memorabilia decorations is great - so many reminders of grand adventures - we just lurrrrrve the traditions of christmas that go with our trees.
Awww, that's just too lovely! And the tree itself is so much more prettier than those bits of branches you see at petrol stations etc... I'm still summoning the energy to do our tree yet. :P
Beautiful Burns, just beautiful!
Interactive Chrissy decorations are just the very best. But what to do? Embrace an entire Christmas filled with the dulcet bagpipery of Scotland the Brave in case it doesn't last the next year?
Hi Gemma, love the tree and decorations....your Edinburgh memories brought back memories of mine as a 21yr old travelling in the UK. I spent a glorious Hogmanay (New Years Eve)there and ended up staying longer, borrowing a new car from a guy in a pub and driving to John o'groats and back..... ahhh those were the days.. now back to reality! Hope you and all yours have a wonderful christmas. Cathy xx
Lovely Gemma. Ahh, Praha, Ahh, Scotland - I want to go and go now.
Did you have Chrissie in the burgh. You must have I spose. My last Scottish one was Stirling and it snowed - I don't think it ever did when I was a kid. So, your decorations have even made me nostalgic.
Oh, and I just remembered Sam and I nearly froze to death in Edinburgh on Hogmanay that year. Locked out of our friends house cos he was busy romancing. It was frigging -10. Not fun.
Lovely tree , lovely ornaments and lovely memories!
Loz had the right idea . I've still got a list as long as your arm of things I want to do and every intention of doing them all .
Love the idea of a 'story behind each ornament'. What a great way to bring some meaning into this time of year for the littlies!
Yay Christmas Tree!!
Great stories behing each ornament. I LOVE the bagpipes!!
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