Comments on: A Little Night Magic

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 00:00:11 +0000

Gena, I’m so honored to have been the first to explain the 12 days of Christmas to you! I sure do think it helps to have a traditional progression away from Christmas Day–I like how you put that! Thank you! xoxo

By: Gena

Gena — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 13:36:07 +0000

Christmas has come and gone, but this post is heart-stirring for any season, Maria!

It was actually you who first explained those twelve days to me. My mother is familiar with them as a Waldorf educator, but we never observed them in their fullness. The end of the winter holiday season is always marked with melancholy for me, and recognizing that there is a traditional progression away from Christmas day, rather than an abrupt end to 24 hours of celebration, has been a mighty comforting thought.

Here’s to keeping the holiday spirit alive as we continue to move into this new year.

xoxo

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 05:51:50 +0000

Hi Veronica! I’m so glad I wrote this post because I’m really enjoying reading about everyone’s holiday traditions, and to find out there are so many other families like my own that celebrated the 12 Days of Christmas! Thanks for sharing. I love that you still have your lights up the year round on the deer fence–truth be told, I bought star fish lights for my mantle last year and they are still up!! Love the image of the white Christmas tree with sea life ornaments at the ocean, too. And happy you like the drawing. Merry Christmas back to you!! xoxo

By: Veronica

Veronica — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 00:24:14 +0000

My family does the 12 days, too! Growing up, we’d always be the last to get a tree – like you, about a week before the 25th – and then leave it up until the 6th. 🙂 Though now I put up the tree earlier, (1st/2nd week of December) since it’s a fake tree (Mark is allergic to real ones) so I don’t have to worry about it dying before the 6th! Plus I get to enjoy the holiday decor just a bit longer, making the effort to put it all up worth it. (Confession: the outdoor lights I put up on the deer fence last year are still there- never took them down; they’re solar charged and quite pretty, so I figure a little lighting every evening isn’t so bad!)
We just got back from a long, lovely beach vacation where they put up a tree in the house we were renting! 85 degrees and ocean waves outside with a lovely white tree inside, the contrast was quite beautiful. They decorated it with regular ornaments, but also a few dolphins, fish, whale, ocean-themed ones, too.
Though now I’m back, and need to get our house in holiday order! To the garage for me, lugging boxes of decor and a fake tree… It’s always worth it. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your traditions and story of your neighbor; the picture is so pretty! I wish you a very merry Christmas, Maria! xoxo

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 03:26:28 +0000

Oh Sarah, thank you.I loved reading your memory as well. It reminded me of how our own celebrations at home when I was small especially were timed around when my Mom directed the choir or played the organ at church. Later I would sing too. I love your family’s tradition of setting out the decorations to put up after late service. It really does sound magical.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 03:22:38 +0000

Ah Maria. You spoke right to my grinchy heart. Brought up Lutheran, Christmas came magically between the 7 o’clock service and the 11. In came the tree, the greens and wreaths perfuming the entire house. The lights were put on and the ornaments set out for our return from late service to decorate. It was magic.
I have been at war with consumermas for too long. I loved your vision and heartfelt response. Going to give it a try.

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 21:34:06 +0000

Thanks, Lee– they sure are, aren’t they? I LOVE that you span the whole spectrum–from early to well into February, with your artificial tree! I am absolutely “guilty” of that on a string of lights basis. Last year I found starfish lights for Christmas, but of course they’re still up over my mantel. 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!! xoxo

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 21:30:24 +0000

This is great Marge! My own birthday is January 8, so we sometimes did this too, when I was a child. 🙂

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 21:29:44 +0000

Thanks Cheryl! I like the way you say Christmas provides an opportunity to find balance between past memories and today’s realities. And I’m so pleased that you find the painting a beautiful tribute. And a Merry 12 Days of Christmas back to you!

By: Lee

Lee — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 20:34:31 +0000

Maria, what a lovely, touching post. The holidays are both joyful and melancholy; I know that when the day comes when I lose my parents, much of the holiday sweetness will be gone. At the same time, I’m glad to know that some magic never fades.

I also have to say–I’m with that family who puts the tree up early! However, the joy of “faux” trees is that I can–and do–happily leave my tree up until Valentine’s Day, much to the consternation of my neighbors, no doubt. But I do it anyway, because it lights up the dark, cold nights and never fails to bring a smile to my face.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!