The house has been full of voices the last couple of days with the boys and their girls joining us for our annual wreath making day - it was non existent in 2020 and this year it had been downsized to just a bare minimum of family and special friends; to be able to have a small part of our yearly tradition felt rather special.
With quite a few folk not joining us, I was busy making a number of wreaths - which I have to admit was rather hard to rustle up the enthusiasm I usually have - it seems I have made so many this year that the novelty has well and truly run its course... I also wanted this to be a lovely day because last year was .... well - last year didn't really happen, did it?
However after several mugs of tea, mince pies, gingerbread cake, gingerbread, lots of catching up and a constant background serenading of festive songs - I got there in the end!
Another very special part of this day is the arrival of a gingerbread chrimbly tree - where squeaks of delight and oohs and aahs of appreciation could be heard as it landed in the centre of the table with a flourish!
It is this plate of tasty sculpture that really makes me feel like the festive season has begun. And what makes it even more special is, it is part of my boys festive build up and and once they'd grown up and brought home their girlfriends - they delighted in sharing this tradition with them too. It also amazes me how quickly this plate of biscuits are scoffed - with the larger pieces being torn into large chunks and carried off triumphantly!
Nearly all of us had more that one wreath to make and if I have my calculations correct - I think, by the end of the day there were 15 or 16 made - so we were rather busy!
The pile of greenery both on the table and beneath it certainly looked impressive however I had to ask Himself to brave the dreadful weather outside and gather more as we soon depleted it.
The house smelt gorgeous - citrusy conifer, spicy ginger, mulled punch, mince pies, pizza, baked potatoes, cinnamon sticks, crusty bread, quiche and nut roast.
In the evening, after all had gone, we sat quietly recovering around the fire, Youngest and his Girl quietly finishing off their wreaths, Eldest and his Girl reading on the settee and the weather howling around the house in a foul temper - I decided that despite this year's wreath day's build up being quite hard work - it was worth it - really worth it x
That truly is a lovely tradition. I'm glad you got your spirit back and enjoyed your day.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sam, it took a bit, but I got there in the end! Would be a shame to miss out on a family tradition especially as we couldn't do it last year x
DeleteThey look absolutely lovely , I’m going “ scavenging “ next week to do ours, we too just a family gathering. You’ve certainly been busy baking . I’ve made 3 dozen frangipane mince pies , now stashed in the freezer , sausage rolls next week ! Relax now and have a well earned rest xx
ReplyDeleteOoh have fun scavenging!
DeleteYou have been busy baking too 😊
What a lot of lovely wreaths, and the biscuit Christmas tree looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you - and yes the biscuit tree was soooo good and did not last long!
DeleteFabulous. Another of those days which triggers Lou Reed's "Perfect Day" in my head.
ReplyDeleteOh no not again Missus! Last time you mentioned him and his song I had it going around in my head for days! Mind you it is a classic and a really good one at that! thank you - yes - Lou Reed and 'Perfect Day' are most welcome in my headspace 😁💗 an alternative is Elbow's 'One day like this' which fits the bill too xx
DeleteThat sounds like truly a wonderful tradition! All those wreaths do look lovely as well and how good that you have used what nature has to offer you to make them. Wreath making is a very ancient tradition and I believe it dates back to Ancient Greece but I wonder if it wasn’t even before that. I like to hear that the old traditions are still kept alive as it is so easy to pop in a shop and buy an artificial one. As for your gingerbread tree it is fabulous such a shame that it is edible LOL. Keep well Amanda. X
ReplyDeleteThank you Amanda :) it is a very pagan and ancient craft - and if you think about it - a simple one that you can do with a piece of ivy or a supple twig with rudimentary hand movements - I love the thought that we are still doing what the ancients did - to call back the sun, to acknowledge the movement of the seasons and the turning of the wheel 💚🎄
DeleteIt sounds like you had a lovely day and it’s lovely to be able to get back to doing some of your usual Christmas traditions 😃
ReplyDeleteIt was after the initial wobbly start then it was good to be doing something we have always done albeit on a smaller but much more precious level x
DeleteA good tradition, family and making , in one!
ReplyDeleteThat gingerbread tree is tempting!!
It is a good tradition indeed - it is the first one of December that we can all get together which is rather nice - before we all get to involved with all the other things that tend to go on!
DeleteGlad all went well. Enjoyment & productivity sounds prevalent in your musings, words & photos. I've always loved reading about your wreath making gatherings & we all missed so much last year & we are on tenterhooks still here about whether we could be locked down again within the next few days. The gingerbread tree looks yum. Thanks for sharing, take care & hugs.
ReplyDeleteYes the uk is also bit up in the air about 'cancel Christmas' or 'don't cancel Christmas' so we are being careful and selective with what we go to :) it was good to have a proper - albeit scaled down version of the wreath making x
DeleteIt sounds like a wonderful tradition and a lovely day spent with family and friends. I don't know why but your photos and descriptions of the wreath making, food and various aromas made me think of 'Little Women'
ReplyDeleteI shall take that as a compliment and wish I had the costumes to go with it ! xx
DeleteNo hesitation in declaring the best photo is the gingerbread chrimbly tree! It sounds like you all had a great time. Thanks for sharing. xx
ReplyDeleteIt was also the best tasting! I can speak on authority as I accidently chomped on some confer and spent the next 15 or so minutes tasting like floor polish uerk
DeleteIt was a lovely day as you have described and I felt lucky to be there with all the family. I agree, the Christmas biscuit tree was delicious and your home made soup and Jacob's Join (bring and share Northern style) was a success as usual. Thank you for hosting it. 🎅🌲🦴🧡
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely - especially having special friends and family around to share the nonsense and that lovely biscuit tree 💚🎄
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