Presents are put away in their proper places. Christmas papers and ribbons and boxes are taken to the attic until next Christmas.
It's not a chore but a labor of love. To tell these friends how special both they are to husband Jim and I and to thank them for their kindness and thoughtfulness this Christmas season.
And after breakfast and a tidying up of downstairs, you will find me in the breakfast room. With the last of the breakfast coffee. And one of the Christmas candles burning to bring the fragrance of pine indoors.
With my cards, my address book and a list of those friends or relatives who either were not here at Christmas and thus need a note to thank them for their gift or dear friends who need a note in addition to the personal thank you, I begin an annual ritual.
The Christmas Thank You Notes.
It's not a chore but a labor of love. To tell these friends how special both they are to husband Jim and I and to thank them for their kindness and thoughtfulness this Christmas season.
There is something special about the week between Christmas and New Year's. Perhaps it is a memory of this "off" week from school during Christmas and New Year's. Perhaps it is the fact that the hustle and bustle of pre-Christmas is done and we can sit back and enjoy the tree, the greens on the mantle. There are still cookies in the larder for afternoon teas. Fruitcake and eggnog after dinner in the evenings.
The Holiday Season is a special time and we relish this, the quiet week. Today is a rare day on the prairie. There is snow on the ground -- a Christmas snow -- and flakes are fluttering down.
The birds are active and feeding heavily. It's a joy to watch their antics as I write my notes of thanks.
13 comments:
Beautiful post, Martha!
xoxo
Jane
A day to reflect and catch our breath ... thank you for your creative/delicious posts, Martha. It has been a joy connecting ... Happy New Year!
Wow! I can't believe you had the energy to take the Christmas decor down already. I've never left mine up past New Year's, but I think this year, they may be up until March! This was a lovely post. laurie
Wow, Martha, you sound so organized. Hope you continue to enjoy this holiday season!..Christine
Lovely to hear from you. Funny how similar our Christmas rituals are the world over ... wishing you a curiously creative 'week off' - Susan x
Lovely and peaceful. I like the days after Christmas, too!
Best,
Kathleen
Amazing how we spend so much time and excitement in the lead up to Christmas and then teh day after it is all over we savour so much.
What a wonderful way to unwind after Christmas. I need to sit down and write my thank you's too.
I have a bird feeder right outside my office window and love to watch them too. What a lovely tradition! My address book has long since been replaced by an Excel spreadsheet on the computer.
What a lovely ritual, so sweet.
Martha, nice relaxing time it sounds like, even if you are writing notes. Enjoy!
I know I enjoy my robe and slippers alot this week, before the next round of business!lol
Linda
Happy New Year almost.
What a lovely post, Martha! I can feel the peace and quiet.
I too love this week between the holidays the best; it is so low key and relaxing. I think I really began to enjoy it when I'd have the kids home for school that week, and with the cold weather it felt like I had all my chicks in the nest.
Tell Corgi Ollie that we USED to have dogs who knew their places, and wouldn't have dreamed of the hunting expeditions that Dion loves. We had dogs who hunted outside for small animals; Dion is the first who hunts inside for snacks!
My friend owns Dion's brother, and Calvin is the same way. They are natural born thieves. With really excellent noses.
So Ollie definitely gets the Good Boy award this holiday! (Although Dion doesn't bark much; it's a small virtue, but his own.)
Enjoy the rest of the week!
Cass
Martha, this is a beautiful post! I've never thought of the 'inbetween' week quite like this . . . it's wonderful. I've also never thought of sending thank-you's for Christmas gifts . . . what an absolutely lovely idea!
Thanks so much for sharing!
Blessings,
Teresa
Marigold Manor
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