The key to a special Christmas will be different, dependent on who you are. For me there are five keys to Christmas. I would love you to share what makes Christmas special for you.
1. A time for family. Every moment I spend with Rebecca, Sam and Ben is cherished, especially Christmas day with them and Rebecca's parents John and Rosemary, who I love very dearly. I had a difficult childhood, so I try to make sure that we have fun, that we lay down memories, that we appreciate each other and what we all bring to our family. We have a lot planned together over the next two weeks, and whether it be days out, watching movies, going out for a walk across the fields, theatre trips, I know we will have a wonderful time that brings us closer together.
2. A time for friends. We have many great friends, and finding time to enjoy their company is so important. Sometimes we don't see them often enough, with everyone having busy schedules, but we have already enjoyed a few meals in and out, and have various other get togethers planned with friends young and old through the festive period.
3. A time for Church. I am not a God fearing man, but my annual visit to the service of the Nine Lessons and Carols at Hathern Church is tomorrow, and I always find it uplifting to be a part of this. Whenever I go I can understand how special Christmas is to the Christian faith, and my heart is always warmed.
4. A time to remember. We have suffered huge loss in our family. My sister in law Victoria passed away in 2008, and we miss her terribly. We will visit her grave on Christmas morning, we never miss her out, and Christmas Day always starts with tears for her. I have also lost a brother in 2001 and my four grandparents are long passed away. They are all still in my consciousness, and I think of them so often.
5. A time to reflect and look forward. It is always good when you are able to slow the pace of life to reflect on the year that has been, and look ahead to the year to come, to make plans, to have things to look forward to. This is one of the most enjoyable parts of Christmas for me.
If you've got this far, thanks for reading! I am now off to fulfill my advent calendar task for today, the kitchen calls!
December 21st: Bake something for Christmas. Rocky Road, here I come!!
Great keys and words! Enjoy the holidays! My sister and family are coming to celebrate with us. My parents live in town so we'll all be together...can't wait!!
Beautiful high key *groan* shot :-) Wonderful words....it sounds like you're going to have a full, very much joyful Christmas. My Christmas is very low key.....very relaxed, but I try to keep as many of the traditions that I knew growing up....the Christmas crackers, the paper hats, turkey and mince pies, along with pork pie and pickles on Christmas Eve....something Aaron hasn't got into....I wonder why lol Enjoy that Rocky Road :-)
@allisonraposa haha, yeah, cheesy title I know ;-) ooh yes, Pork Pie. We are just a few miles from Melton, so it has to be Dickinson and Morris. I'm pleased to hear that you keep lots of traditions alive , we do all of those. Rebecca has made some Mini Mince Pie Bakewells this year, they are so scrummy, 1st batch all gone, 2nd batch in the oven! Have a lovely time.
Our Christmases are low-key but special , more so when our daughter, who works shifts in a hospital path. lab. gets a few days off over Christmas. Our son always spends the whole week with which is great but it's so rare that all four of us are able to get together these days, so the little time we do have together is very special indeed.
Every year some friends host a party about a week before the day. We all contribute food and then we sing and play for our suppers. It's always a brilliant evening. Communicating through music is also something I love and treasure.
@dulciknit Thank you. There will always be a spare bit of Rocky Road for you. It is lovely to read about your traditions, and the selflessness of your daughter who along with do many give up their Christmas in the service of others. Bless her.
Beautiful thoughts Sean you are a great example to us all. How often those that have a difficult child hood teach us how to appreciate what we have & know how to treasure family life....you see it again & again....your family is very lucky in you! A very Happy Christmas to you & all your loved ones. I miss our two sons & their families very much at this time of the year & a new baby grandchild I am still waiting to see a photo of....farmers are not good on computers!!
@happypat thank you Pat, that is so kind of you. I have greatly admired your family from afar these past 2 years. Your 3 good things often involve them and always make the world seem a better place when I read them. I wish you all a very peaceful Christmas, you are a dear friend.
fav Sean ! I really love what you wrote.... That is all Christmas is about and not only during Christmas ...;)
I wish you a beautiful end of year with your family and your friends !
@cocobella thank you Corinne, you are right, it is a feeling we should keep with us all the time. I know how much fun and love is in your family, it shines through your project so brightly. Take care my friend, enjoy your Christmas.
Sean this is a gorgeous shot. I love to hear what you value and why. You have a good list! I happen to love old skeleton keys. I keep all that I can find. Merry Christmas
Sean what wonderful sentiments to go with your shot - Christmas is certainly a time of remembrance for me also, I lost my Dad at the age of 7 and every year I wish he was here… but I have a very big family including my Mum who is my best friend and so christmas day the house will be full of fun and laughter which I cherish and never take for granted.
@heidihp thanks Heidi, I appreciate your sentiments too. I wish you, mum Jackie and your whole family a magical day, with that moment of reflection that like me, means so much to you.
Your sentiments and the matching photo give us a lot to reflect upon and enjoy. Traditions here in the west are different than my childhood home in the east. More food, more family, more friends, more Church, and now later in life, more memories. You have been an incredible person to get to know, and Linda and I wish you a very Merry Christmas.
Sean, this is such a lovely narrative. All the best for a wonderful holiday season! And this is a terrific image with a perfect sentiment for the holidays ahead.
@rvwalker Thank you so much Ross. Your Christmas sounds idyllic, and similar to ours in many ways. Very best wishes to you and Linda, you have been through a lot this year, and borne it with remarkable grace, you are an example to us all.
Wonderful simplistic composition, high key is really great to this subject and the text is wonderful, it´s always great when people give so much of themselves to this project and tell intimate details about them and their lives as you have done here. Merry Christmas Sean!
I just love what you have written Sean, you have such a caring and sensitive soul and it's very evident that you value your home, Rebecca and your sons very much. Life has a horrible way to throwing sadness and sorrow in our path, and to be able to acknowledge it but turn that into a positive for your family is wonderful. Thanks for your good wishes to me via Heidi, and I wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
@jackie8 You are welcome Jackie. I admire your family from afar, and if my relationship with my boys is like yours with Heidi once they ar eall grown up, I know I will be happy. Thank you, and have a wonderful time with all your family. x
@susale Thank you Suse, I am a glass half full chap, and very proud of my family. It is important to show your affections for your family. At least they won't be wondering! Best wishes to you for a fabulous Christmas.
This has been an absolute pleasure to follow along your journey through the season. Lovely sentiments and really well worded! I hope the Rocky Road is all gone!
December 29th, 2013
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Our Christmases are low-key but special , more so when our daughter, who works shifts in a hospital path. lab. gets a few days off over Christmas. Our son always spends the whole week with which is great but it's so rare that all four of us are able to get together these days, so the little time we do have together is very special indeed.
Every year some friends host a party about a week before the day. We all contribute food and then we sing and play for our suppers. It's always a brilliant evening. Communicating through music is also something I love and treasure.
Is there any of that Rocky Road to spare? ;-)
I wish you a beautiful end of year with your family and your friends !