CHRISTMAS LIGHTS LIGHT UP THE WORLD

 One of my favourite Christmas traditions are lights. White, coloured, flashing, whatever.

I go by homes and say beautiful when I see their lights.

My light display is just on my front window- inside so easy to put up and easy to take down.

Two trees decorated with lights. 

How about you? Are lights important in your Christmas traditions?

#christmaslights#puttinguplights#twotreeswithlights#christmaslightstheway#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DECEMBER- OH THE COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

December brings the realization that if plans and shopping and decorating has not occurred then it is time. Our house is decorated. The tree is up and decorated earlier than usual. Bought an artificial tree last year so easier to get it up. With being the only one to take care of everything, it was a good decision. One less layer of work.
So comes my favourite part. Sitting and doing handwork beside the tree with the lights. It brings me a peaceful feeling.
The cards have been sent and one parcel. Just have one more parcel to send then finished with parcels. Years ago I would 6-7 parcels to send. Now only 2. Still work involved but it is my ebb and flow of Christmas.
I do not put all my Christmas knickknacks out. The little hands could break them so the big stuff they can touch.
When I see all the Christmas things I have accumulated in my marriage, I shake my head and wonder how did it all arrive.
My first married Christmas did not have a tree because we returned home to my parents' place. But the second year had a tree. Two strings of lights and candy canes and some decorations I had bought on sale at boxing day sales.

Two little horses and three drums. Oh the memories! How are your Christmas preparations going?
#christmaspreparations#decorations#lotsofchristmasstuff#layersofwork#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#parcelstosend#christmascards#presents#lights#peacefulbythechristmastree

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS START TO APPEAR IN CANADA

Homes are starting to decorate their outdoors for the Christmas season. Store windows are beautiful. Many towns and cities will have the lighting of the Christmas tree in the centre of town.

Angels, santas, sleds and an array of lights.
Take a string of lights- any colour- wrap around a tree, along an eves trough or by a window. Everyone makes their display unique and their own. So is your display up and ready for the season? What are you planning to do? Mine includes a prelit deer in the front garden!

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS COMPLETE THE SEASON

A stroll through a neighbourhood to look at the lights can be rewarding. Or a drive down a favourite street big or small take in the season. I remember as a little girl driving downtown with the folks, especially University Avenue in Toronto where the lights seemed magical. Now on some reality shows there are families that compete for the most decorated and choreographed to music. Quite a scene!! A couple of strings with some prelit Christmas trees by the door and prelit large candy canes complete my display. No competition at my house. I do love Christmas lights. How about you? 

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ARE ON CANADIAN STREETS

Slowly, houses are beginning to shine with Christmas lights and lawn decorations. I put mine up in two stages. With 2 new prelit Christmas trees, it was a challenge to find enough extension cords for all the plugs. It is a beautiful time of year with each house or business using their own imagination to have lights. Richmond Hill has old fashioned lamp post lights-quite pretty at night. Of course, with other cultures abounding there are many gaps on streets with no lights. Other faiths do have lights as part of their traditions but just not in the Christmas season. Lights are joyous not just pretty!