Starting today and through Christmas Day, I will be sharing a sneak peak at the trees and other holiday decor of selected indie designers, crafters, artists, shop owners & bloggy friends. Those selected will also share a little something about what makes the holidays special for them.
Susie Ghahremani from www.boygirlparty.com has so graciously offered to kick this whole thing off for me, something that I am calling ‘An Indie Holiday Story’. That’s Susie’s tree up there with all those presents…someone is going to have a very nice Christmas!
***(Just a little side note to let you know that Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx will return after the holidays).
1. What’s your favorite holiday tradition.
Probably cliche, but I’m a big fan of the gift exchange & xmas cards. It’s amazing how thoughtful loved ones can be, even just with what they write in a card to you — even just by remembering you. Plus opening gifts with my family is a grand tradition, one that requires many trips to the recycling bin afterwards to clean up all the wrapping paper… My family does a big gift exchange, and it’s always so personal, thoughtful and endearing.
2. A favorite cookie recipe?
3. Share a story behind a special ornament on your tree.
There’s a tiny pair of glass penguins nestled near the stem of the tree where chances of breakage are minimal. We always hang them next to each other so they can keep one another company. I’m not naming names, but they’re named after certain people who live in my house 🙂
4. All you want from Santa is….?
A vacation
5. What’s your favorite Christmas movie and why?
It’s a Wonderful Life – I actually never saw it until last year, and it made me so happy I cried (I am a sap). I’m a big Jimmy Stewart fan and the feeling I get from that movie is actually the same hopeful feeling I get from all the Frank Capra movies.
6. Are you dong anything special for the holidays this year?
I’ve got about six library books out so I’m hoping to take at least a few days off work for once to enjoy one of my favorite pastimes!
7. What’s the best toy you ever got when you were a kid.
One Christmas, I was gifted a travel alarm clock that sounded like roosters crowing, and when I think about it now, it was really annoying—but I remember the day after Christmas having breakfast with my family when everyone was wondering where the rooster noise was coming from. It wouldn’t be out of place in Illinois, but it would be out of place in Chicago, and it was weird that an ~10 year old would set an alarm to wake up on a day they were probably allowed to sleep in. But I loved it! So I have fond memories of that one. So many good gifts though! Hard to choose!
8. Why is Christmas special to you?
Family, friends, food and fun all come together in the most warm, cozy, perfect way. It’s cheesy, but I love the togetherness of it all.