Christmas in September

Almost as magical as Santa himself, a cold barren exhibit hall transforms into a warm, festive holiday haven. Each year, the magic of Festival of Trees unfolds, and with it the hope and future of children in need at Primary Children's Medical Center.

The Festival of Trees was inspired 39 years ago by a group of 15 women from along the Wasatch Front. These women were challenged to identify a way to raise funds for the hospital.

That project was inspired after a vacation in Hawaii and a Christmas boutique featuring small, decorated Christmas trees, centerpieces, and Christmas decorations. The Women expanded the concept to include full-sized decorated Christmas trees, a gift boutique, and a sweet shop.
That first year, there were approximately 60 trees for display and sale in the gymnasium of an old Armory. To everyone's surprise and delight, $47,000 was raised!
Over the years, this beautiful event has blossomed into a forest of more than 800 trees, a gift boutique featuring handmade articles, a sweet shop filled with freshly made candies and baked goods, a display of wreaths and door decorations, centerpieces, gingerbread houses, and backyard playhouses. There is also Santa, activities for children, hot scones and sweet rolls, and continuous live entertainment. In all, the Festival spans over 220,000 square feet of display space. Perhaps the greatest phenomenon of all is that everything is donated. The trees are decorated and purchased by individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and church groups. In addition, others generously donate items to fill the shops. Businesses provide the paper and printing of posters and tickets. Corporations offer their covered trucks and drivers to help deliver the trees, and so much more! Thousands of people join efforts by contributing countless hours and means to give “A Gift of Love" to children in need. In 2008, the Festival raised $1,495,840.74 for children in need at Primary Children's Medical Center.

Over the years, Festival of Trees has been copied many times throughout the United States and Canada. However, the Salt Lake City Festival of Trees remains the "granddaddy" of them all.

Two weeks ago our service group helped contribute to this wonderful event by learning to make (10) these wreaths for the festival this year thanks to the generous help of Kathie, Val and Jay. We had a great time and learned a new skill too. Now we can't wait to actually go to this event to see the other wreaths, trees and other things that will be there for sale!

Christmas Open House

Welcome to my Christmas Open House!

My front hall is all silvery, glass and glittery. Antique ornaments are my favorite.


























The carolers are singing on the mantel.

The ornaments on this little tree are only 3/4-1" high.

These are my huge mercury glass ornaments. The biggest one is 8" in diameter.

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My tree with most ornaments that are decades old and crystals from a chandelier from a previous house.

I like to put a little Christmas in the bathroom too.
My diningroom chandelier that I found in the attic when I bought the house.

Diningroom chairs are dressed for the occasion.

Kitchen hutch.

Kitchen table with Paperwhites that keep drooping over at night because they are about spent but still smell devine.

Family room hutch.

Little seating area with Christmas pillows.

Old outdoor kitchen hutch that I use as a library.

Thanks for stopping by. Merry Christmas one and all!

T'was the time before Christmas

I just love this time of year. I really like the time before Christmas maybe more than the actual day of Christmas. Here are 10 reasons why:

1. I love going to the elementary and middle school music concerts where the 4th graders all have on Santa hats and play their recorders as if they were in a famous Symphony (so cute), and the 7th graders play their flutes like they have really practiced.

2. I love to find at the store that my regular milk and yogurt have been replaced with seasonal ones like Pumpkin Spice and Egg Nog.

3. I love to see the children trying so hard to be on their best behavior leaving little notes saying "You are the best mother/grandmother in the world".

4. I have been listening to Christmas carols since October when I got a new CD for my birthday. Need I say I love them?

5. I love making just the right gift for someone and the anticipation of their response when they open it and see it for the first time. My sister always makes the neatest gifts for me so there is a lot of pressure on me with her gift.

6. I love a good party and it seems that everyone is having one at this time of year. Why not when your house is decorated with lots of twinkly lights on the mantle and candles everywhere?

7. Did I mention candles? I visited a friend's home today and had to see what candles she was burning-- Cranberry Wreath and Christmas Tree, it smelled so good!

8. There is nothing like seeing an envelope in the mail with familiar penmanship and you can't wait to read all about her year since she last wrote to you. You can reread it over and over again if you want.

9. When I make green Christmas tree Spritz cookies I have fond memories of my Aunt Ramona who always had them on her table for all the guests at Christmas time. Although none of my children like them, It wouldn't be Christmas for me without them. (I have not made them yet this year).

10. When I walk through my house at night with just the lights in the garlands glowing, the carols in the air and fireplace and candles burning, I just love it. I see my old stuffed dog from my childhood with a red bow around his neck, the ornaments we bought so many years ago along with crystals from a chandelier (we found in the attic of a previous home) on the tree and it makes me happy. I feel so cozy and content with everything the way it is right now. I will leave Christmas morning for the children, I don't need more than I have right now.