May I Invite You to Share Christmas at Our House? Will You Be My Very Special VIP Holiday Guest? I’d Love to Roll Out the Red Carpet just for YOU! I’d Love to have the Chance to Share Our Traditions with You.

Christmas is a Special Time of Giving. Giving to Others. Goodwill Toward All. Peace On Earth. Blessings, Joy and Festivities. Family and Friends.

Our Family was no different, and from an Early Age, We Celebrated Christmas with Family Traditions ~ In the Home, Church and Community.



Although My Sister was 10 years older then me, We had the very Best and Perfect relationship in all of Our Years of Growing Up! This was in our first House, in Washington, DC. I’m really not sure if I was 2 or 3 years old here, with my Jack In The Box. Have You ever seen A Blonde Console TV? There was A Record Player / Radio in the left Door, and the TV on the right!



As the years passed and we grew, The Family Traditions became instilled and something to look forward to when Decorating the House for the Holiday. Going out and Selecting the Right Christmas Tree. Tying it to the Roof of the Car, to drive it Home. And then, sometimes the Tree was actually taller then the Ceiling, so it meant that my Dad had to saw some of the Tree Trunk to make it fit in the Room. Trimming the Tree, with Christmas Bulbs, Icicles, Twinkling strings of Lights … and my Most Favorite ~ Bubble Lights!! When they warmed up, the heat of the light made the Color liquid inside ~ “Bubble!” I really Loved those Bubble Lights!!

On top of the Tree, was placed the Spire, and the one we had on our Tree had been my Dad’s when he was young, so we were keeping up the Family Traditions each year!

Well, seems I got a Fire Truck, fireman’s hat and a Tony Tiger in my Stocking! I remember driving the Fire Truck, complete with wooden Ladders on each side … up and down the sidewalk out in front of my House. My big Sister was always there to watch over and give her Lil’ Brother a Push to get him going, whenever he needed it! ((smile)) Here I think she ready to go Ice Skating on the left, and a little older … ready for a Date, on the right! “She was Always A Lady!”

Another Family Tradition was Church. All of my Cousins and myself, became “Acolytes” or “Altar Boys!” Our Family Circle had their usual seats in Church, were Grandparents, Parents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins all sat together, in row after row! Here I am, carrying a Candle, and a few years later I would be one of the Altar Boys, carrying the Cross, in the Church Procession. Everyone thought I looked so Angelic, when I was serving on the Altar, as we also sat by the Altar, during the entire Church Service. I developed a Reputation, at an early age, for Helping all the Elderly Ladies, and Giving The Biggest and Best Hugs to them All, in the Courtyard outside after Church Services were over. You see … You had to Hug and Kiss all Your Aunts, and Ladies who were Close Family Friends, when Your Parents had You standing there, as they were bragging on “My How He’s Grown!!”

“Is it any Wonder, that I became A Romanticist in Life??”

“Welcome to Our New House at Christmastime!”

Our old House had been made out of Wood, we lived there from the time I was 2 years old until my Parents could afford to buy A Brick House! I loved our first House because it had so many Good Memories, but my Dad said that the Red Brick House was a better house and I should be Happy! I know my Parents, both Teachers, had worked hard and Saved their money to be able to afford it, so I tried to be happy too! I still missed my old house! ((smile)

At 5 years old, my Parents would take me to Nursery School each morning, and then pick me up each evening after their Work day was done. On this particular day, My Dad picked me up from Nursery School, and drove us right past Our House. I asked him, where We were going, and the Surprise was that He Drove Us to Our New Red Brick House!!

“Boy, oh Boy! Go to Nursery School one Morning, and Everything Changes!”

(I have to Laugh Out Loud, remembering my Childhood Amazement!)

Well, Our New Red Brick House was only about 5 or 10 minutes away from out old House, and when We Arrived and went in … I found that My Parents had been working all day to Move Everything from the Old House, into Our New House!!

It was Magical from My Child’s Point of View!! Leave Your Old House for Nursery School in the Morning, and Go directly to Your New House from School in the Evening! It was almost Christmas, so my Parents had also Decorated the House as in the photos above! They Were The Best Parents when it came to Creative Surprises, and I guess that is what made My Childhood and Life ~ seem So Very Magical!! ** Now do You See why I am Always Trying to Share the Magic In Life ~ With You!??

Well, when we Moved, I was 5 years old, but in the above photo, it’s My Teenage Years, and I just got the Portable Record Player / Radio, I had wanted for Christmas! All the Guys carried them everywhere they went, to have Music with You at All Times! Much like the Ipods and MP3 Players of today, but back then all we had were 45 Records to play! Most people won’t even remember those!!

As a Teenager, I was also suddenly “into Dressing!” Looking Good for the Girls!

Being ~ “COOL!” Hey, it went with The Music!! ((smile)) Above was one of my favorite Sweater Shirts … Soft Brown Suede Leather!

(When Young Boys start caring about Their Appearance, how they look and wearing Stylish Clothes, you know that They are growing up! Watch Out!!)

You can’t really see it well, but on the wall to the left, hung A Christmas Card Holder. Another of my Mom’s Handmade Christmas Decorations! It was felt, and had Boys in the Choir, with open mouths and Angelic expressions, Singing in the Choir! In the bottom there was a Pouch to hold all of the many Christmas Cards that people sent us!

“Believe It or Not … before Email, People actually Sent Christmas Cards in the Mail!” Yep! Writing Cards and Addresses all by Hand, Licking Envelopes and Stamps, and then Going to the Mailbox or Post Office to Mail them ~ “Snail Mail!”

L@@king at the photos now, I can Imagine that You’re Wondering … “Is Michael Living in Hawaii?” ((smile)) Well, it does kind of look that way, but no … this is in Washington, DC. My Parents always had festive bright outfits for Christmas Morning and Entertaining, and we usually took Pictures! My Dad most often had on a beautiful Red Smoking Jacket with Black Satin collar, belt and trim! Much like Hugh Heffner at the Playboy Mansion ~ Very Stylish!

In earlier years He occasionally Smoked a Pipe, much like Santa Claus, Sherlock Holmes, Hugh Heffner and so many other Men of Distinction! He was A Professor of English Literature, and there is a stereotypical Image of Professors, Englishmen and Men of Distinguished qualities ~ Smoking Pipes! He could delight the children, and amaze guests by Blowing Big Rings of Smoke, “Smoke Rings in the Air”, with the scent of Cherry Tobacco or some other distinctive aromatic smell!

My Mother was also an Educator, a Teacher, as were most of My Family. Circle of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins ~ Professors and Teachers … Writers, Poets, Artists, Musicians!

My Mom taught All Ages of Students, from Grade School Children, to High School Teenagers. Mom was “A HomEc” or “Home Economics Teacher”.

She Taught “Skills for the Home” ~ Cooking and Sewing, Life and Parenting Skills and All the Things Young People Need to Know as they grow into Young Adults and Leave the Nest of Their Parents, and Start Their Life as Adults, Wives and Mothers!

My Mother’s Creativity knew No Bounds! She was Always Making Something at Home, for either Her Classroom, The School, Our Church or Our Home! Painting, Designing, Sewing, Cooking, Gardening … the list was endless! “Better Homes and Gardens!” And although Our House was “modest”, She Made it into A Showpiece!! She had a Creative Imagination and Flair that complimented Her Talents! See the “Poochie” Print on the Sofa in the photos, as an example! How many people choose an Artist for the material for their Sofa? ((smile)) Growing up, All of these Things seemed “Normal” to me, so as A Child, I just thought that Everyone’s Life and Family was like Mine … “The Norm”. It wasn’t until I went “Out Into the Real World”, that I came to discover, “Just How Special My Parents and Family really were, in Their Own Way!”

“My Parents Created This World for Me ~ And Now I Share it With YOU!”

My Great Aunt was Known all over Washington, DC for her Sewing Talents and Creations! She hand made All of the Costumes and Outfits for All of Our Church Pageants and Plays! My Mother followed in Her Tradition by Making All of Our Home Christmas Decorations ~ By Hand!

In the Christmas Photos ~ You can see The Angel Tablecloth – heavy Red Felt with White Angels going all around, and a heavy type of “fringe” at the bottom! I’m not sure if “fringe” is the correct term, as it was more like “twisted rope”, so maybe You Ladies out there who Sew, might correct and enlighten me.

My Mother also made Personalize Christmas Stocking for Each of Us! Mine was about 3 feet long, heavy Red and Green Felt, with A Santa in his Sleigh full of Presents, and all of his Reindeer pulling the Sleigh. Each individual piece was cut out and sewn in place, and ran the length of the Stocking! Felt, Beads, Gold Rope, Sequins, and a bevy of materials and decorations were used! Both Sides of each Stocking were Decorated, and sometimes each side was a different color. My Sisters Stocking was Green on one side and White on the other with lots of colorful decorations.

My Mother’s Stocking was designed like French Lingerie ~ “Ooo La La!” It was White on one side and Black on the other. It had Red Lips, black Lace and Sequins! My Dad’s Stocking was design with A Manly theme. It was all Red with White at the top, that makes it look like a Shirt Collar with A Bow Tie! It also had A Pipe and Cigarette with Curling Puffs of Smoke! Remember that Everyone in Society Smoked in my Parents Day! From Movie Stars to the Society Divas to the Average Man and it was considered Stylish with Elegant Cigarette Holders, Gold Plated Cigarette Cases and Lighters that made a distinctive “Click” when they were snapped shut!

Theirs was the World War II Generation, and American Cigarettes were as much of a “Coveted Mainstay Staple” for All the Soldiers and Troops in Europe and the Pacific as they were in France, Germany and The Black Market Trade! When We look back in History, we have to l@@k with “Educated Eyes” that consider that Era’s Mindset or Thinking … if We want “To See with An Objective View”.

Mom also made A Stocking for Our Cocker Spaniel Puppy! That one hung in the Center of the Mantle, and had a Bone on one side and Ball on the other. It also had a Bell that would Tinkle whenever it moved.

We Hung the Stockings by the Chimney with Care, when We Decorated the House, in the weeks prior to Christmas. The Stocking hung quietly waiting until Christmas Morning, when we would all Wake Early, get Dressed, and then Come downstairs from the our second floor Bedrooms, as a Family … and Marvel at All the Presents and Stockings Filled with Surprises, that Santa and His Elves had Magically left sometime during the Night when we were all sleeping! My Dad would put Christmas Songs and Carols on the Stereo, and with the Blinking, Bubbling, Twinkling Lights of the Christmas Tree … it was Heavenly Magic!! Of course one of their favorites was Nat King Cole singing his classic … “Christmas Song!”

I can’t explain this phenomenon … but somehow, each Dog I have had, KNEW WHEN IT WAS CHRISTMAS MORNING!! They would Ignore their Stocking Hanging on the Mantle, in all the weeks before Christmas … but On Christmas Morning … when We all Got Our Stocking filled with Presents … My Dogs would go and Sit in Front of Their Stockings, Looking up at Their Stocking … and Waiting Patiently for Me to take it down and Give Them Their Christmas Treats that were Inside!! I Can’t Explain it, but Somehow THEY KNEW!!

Their Stocking was filled with Dog Toys, Squeaky Toys, Dog Treats to eat and maybe a special Bone! Somehow ~ They Knew It Was Christmas Too!!

On the Mantle over the Fireplace ~ My Mom had found some kind of Branches, that I have seen other places in Christmas Decorations. I don’t know the name of them, but they must have some special name. They were White Branches with perfect places to hang the delicate String of Angels with Wings and each Angel holding A Light in their hands, that looked like a Candle! These were strung throughout the Branches, across the Mantelpiece. The top of the Mantle was covered with White “Angel Hair” or “Angelhair”. “Angel Hair” is actually Spun Strands of Glass, that are Silky, Soft and Fluffy much like one might imagine an Angel’s Hair to Be!! You have to be careful when handling Angelhair, as the Glass can get into your skin and under your fingernails and cause an awful irritation! Arranging the Angelhair, is feels somewhat like A Heavenly Art! Soft, Silky and So Light and Fluffy!! I can still remember when I became old enough to help with it’s arrangement … Unforgettable!

The Accent of Red Shiny Christmas Bulbs or Tree Ornaments, Placed with Care throughout The Angel Hair, made for a dramatic and stunning Fantasy Creation that looked Heavenly!! The Mirror on the wall over the Mantle, actually Reflected everything, So it Created the Illusion of having Twice the Decorations of Branches and Angels with Lights!! The photos don’t really Capture the Magic of what The Eye would See of You were standing there in Person, but it may give You a Little Idea!

There were lots of other Decorations throughout the House ~ A Snowman and Snowlady on the outside of the front door with Ropes of Evergreen branches going all around. A big Christmas Wreath in the center over the door knocker, and Reindeer Bells hung on the inside, which Jingled and Announced any Guest coming to Our House to Visit!

There were the Golden Swedish Angels on the Table, and when the Candles under them were lighted, the heat made the Angels turn around and around, and each Angel had a Trumpet and hit a Bell, lightly with each pass, so their was a Light soft “Tinkle” the entire time The Angels Flew! These are all the Sounds of Christmas that filled Our House!

A Golden Bell hung in the center of the door to the Kitchen, and when the sting was pulled it played “Silent Night, Holy Night”

There were big Colored Wax Candles that my Mom had handmade, using different shaped molds. They were Round and tall Cone Shaped, and decorated all over in colored Sequins!

Her Creativity also went into Wrapping Christmas Presents ~ Our Dining Room Table turned into Grand Central Station for Wrapping and it looked a lot like Santa’s Workshop! Rolls of Wrapping paper in all colors, Bows, Ribbon, Gift Boxes and Tissue Paper! My Mom “Customized” each Gift that was to be Wrapped, according to the Person it was for ~ for a man, she might cut a Tie out of Scraps, add a handkerchief Puff of Tissue Paper, use a cocktail Straw for a Tie Clasp, and add buttons for the Cuffs! She used all sort of Odds & Ends to Decorate a Gift. The funny thing was watching the person receive it. Usually they were so Impressed and taken with having a Gift Wrap Designed so personal for them, that They Didn’t Want to Open the Paper and spoil it!! That was hilarious, to watch them try and get the Gift out of the Wrapping paper, without tearing up the Wrapping Décor! My Mom was something else, and Her Creativity Knew No Bounds or Limitations!! I helped Her, and developed the Knack that she Crafted, too. It was fun to “Learn to See”, how to use everyday household items and Transform them into Gift Décor! It really put “Personal” in The Joy of Giving Gifts!!

A Centerpiece was My Crèche ~ it was The Nativity Scene or The Manger in which Joseph and Mary looked over the Baby Jesus. The Three Kings were there with the Gifts for the Christ Child, as Donkeys and Stable animals looked on. The Star of Bethlehem shined brightly over them all (with a light bulb giving the illumination), and there was real HAY inside the Wooden Manger! From an early age, My Dad would guide me in allowing me to sprinkle a little Hay each of the Twelve Nights before Christmas ~ to insure that The Baby Jesus in the Manger was covered and Warm! *These were Traditions … Family Christmas Traditions! *

The Nativity also had a Music Box inside of it, and it could be Wound Up by a little Crank on the side, and then “Silent Night” would play!

Our Christmas Decorations were in special Suitcases and Boxes, and each year my Parents would add something new. Our Christmas Collection was always Growing!

But the Special thing was that Our Christmas Decorations contained items from all the Generations of Family! My Dad had the Spire that went on the Top of the Tree, with an Angel holding A Candle … from His Youth, long before I was Born! We had Christmas Bulbs from His Generation, that were very Old and Delicate Glass …sadly each year some would just break or disintegrate due to age! We had Tree Ornaments that Blinked and Twirled and Spun, when placed near the heat of the Christmas Lights on the Tree!

We had Birds of bright Colors, like the Cardinals that lived in the Japanese Holly Tree, and the Blue Jays, that preferred the Evergreen tree in our back yard. The White Doves were always placed near the top of the Tree, and are a universal symbol of Peace. The Tree was also trimmed with Bubble Lights, Snowballs, Icicles, Shiny Garland and all sorts of décor! My Dad taught me the Fine Art of Trimming the Tree, and stressed the Importance of giving as much attention to the back of the Tree as one did to the front … even though no one would see the Back of the Tree!

In later years, he found An Electric Revolving Tree Stand, so that the Christmas Tree actually Turned ~ Around and Around and Around! I was happy that I had followed his Guidance in Trimming the Tree for all those years, because Now … All Sides of the Tree Came into View!

The Outside of the House was Trimmed in Outdoor Christmas Lights, and since it would be seen by the Public, Special Attention was given to doing a Good Job! We lived on South Dakota Avenue, and when people Drive to Washington, DC, the Highway leads to Our Street … so Motorists from almost Anywhere in the World ~ just might happen to drive past Our House! In years past, The was A big Lighted Santa Claus on the outside of the house, at a Second Floor bedroom Window … “My Bedroom Window!: ((smile)) Who Beckoned every passerby “Merry Christmas”, with A Wave of his gloved hand!

Other years, saw life-size, A Snowman Trio, on our Front Yard. The Three Snowman, were poised on a base that looked like a Mound of Snow, and they all had open mouths to give the view of their Singing Christmas Carols! They were made out of White Plastic Styrofoam, so they were Light, and White and had to be secured so the wind didn’t blow them down. Whenever it Snowed for Christmas it made an especially Beautiful Christmas Scene!

Just like one of those desktop Snow Globes that You Shake to make it Snow!!

Neighbors often went Door to Door, stopping at each house, and Singing Christmas Carols to the People there! They also encouraged the members of each House to come and Join them, and add their Voice to the Group, as they continued on to Each House in the Neighborhood!! Amazing, huh??

I could go on and on, but I don’t want to keep You here, Reading My Christmas Epic … and Have You Miss Christmas! Don’t Get me Wrong … I Wish I Could Keep You Here with Me ~ All Year Long ~ As My Special VIP Guest!! Believe Me … I Do have enough Stories to Tell You that will Keep You Entertained Throughout the entire Year!! ((wink ~ wink)) Let Me Know if You Would Consider My Invitation … Okay??

Here is, my Cocker Spaniel Puppy, “Shoji” ~ At My Computer Console in my Basement! She watched us working on the Computers all the time. Her Expression usually looked at us with Adoring Eyes, and I could imagine hearing Her Thinking to Herself … “Why are You Sitting there, using Your Hands to Type and Mouse … When You Could Be Petting Me!!”

Well, one day, Shoji just Hopped up into the Chair and turned and threw Her Paw up on the Keyboard and pushed the Mouse!!

Honest!! That is what REALLY happened!! She Did It All on Her Own!!

After that first time, all we had to say to her was … “Up, it’s Okay”, and She would hop right up in the Chair and put her Paw on the Keyboard or Mouse!

They Say that Dogs are Intelligent … and Shoji Did Watch Us all the Time … but it was Pretty Amazing to Imagine … Just What She Was Thinking that made Her Decide to Do that!!

Hey, I Told You Before … that I had been Away Helping Santa Load Christmas Presents in His Sleigh … Right?? Do You Believe Me Now??

ROFLOL!!

Here’s A Little Montage … or Collage, I did for You! Looking at all the Christmas Photos and Selecting the ones to Share with You, had me Recalling All of the Memories that went with them All. It put me in A Creative Mood, and so …. This is what Turned Out!

Hope that You in some Small Way … Enjoy My Sharing Our Family Christmas Traditions with YOU! Feel Free to Borrow or Adopt any that You like, or let My Parents Creativity Inspire You to Creative Moods to Creative Your Own!! ((wink))