Christmas Garlands- a Guest Post

Today's post is written by my mom.

When Dem came home from college in December of 2003, she decided that our home needed some Christmas garlands. She designed and fashioned four different, reusable fir garlands: one for the den with red berries and gold leaves; one for the kitchen with golden beads; one for the foyer with magnolias; and one for the dining room with gold ribbon and gold poinsettias.  Each year thereafter, Dem would hang the Christmas garlands again while I placed Santas, Nativities, and other decorations around the house.

When Dem married and moved to the ranch, I continued this tradition she had started. As I handled the garlands, I realized for the first time what a very thoughtful and creative gift she had given our family in 2003. I was struck by how lovely and individual each garland is, and by how much time she must have spent on them. I imagined her thinking about what to create, designing each to be different, finding and weaving together the materials, and hanging them herself for the first time.

Never again will I see those garlands as just another Christmas decoration. Each is a unique and lovely expression of Dem's joy, creativity, energy, and enthusiasm.