‘Tis the Season

St. Louis, Missouri – Vicki Pickle, Photos by Robert Grimm

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth,  good-will to men!
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

Christmastime is truly the most wonderful time of the year. From coast to coast, ideas overflow for designing a beautiful and meaningful holiday celebration that represents your own special vision of the season as your family prepares to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Gatherings devoted to heartfelt giving blend beautifully with those devoted to sharing and representing your family’s heritage. And, it’s never too late to expand on, or begin, family traditions.

With a bit of creative planning, gatherings that highlight the generations, and past (or new) traditions, will inspire even the youngest family members to honor their heritage, and in the process, make memories that will endure and shine brightly for Christmases to come.

The Gift of Time

Among the most valuable gifts shared may be the ones that fill the heart with joy – where the giver and the receiver recall the feeling of gladness at the recollection of the occasion and the time spent with loved ones.
Time is a precious commodity during the holidays.  Shopping, decorating, wrapping and cooking are all opportunities for making memories and creating traditions along the way. This year when you make your list and check it twice, remember to add “fun” to your list.

Creating Customs

You can design a “Christmas to remember” with some thoughtful planning and tips from around the country. Interior designers, party planners and chefs report that regional, nature-inspired and time-honored customs and recipes are happily enjoyed around the country in abundance. And all agree: Let the sights, sounds and flavor of the season be your guide.

Whether you gather to place the train around the tree or to bake holiday specialties together, traditions often evolve over time and make themselves at home when you least expect them, and that’s part of the magic of the season.

Interior designer Patrice Munden, ASID, lived most of her life in the South. She brings her Southern, cultural and family traditions with her to re-create many of the traditions and rituals from her childhood to her (current) home in the Midwest.

“Much like the millions of African-Americans who migrated north and west in the early part of the century for better jobs and education opportunities, my family has to reach back into our memories and family traditions to create a holiday season here in our new home– far from our families,” Munden says.

She continues, “Each year, we trim the tree as a family using ornaments that we have had for years. We play Christmas music as we decorate the tree (usually Motown Christmas music). My youngest daughter bakes sugar cookies to serve just as I did as a young girl, and we drink hot chocolate or apple cider as we work.”

When asked about placing Christmas décor in her own home, Patrice explains, “A large portion of our holiday decorating involves a miniature village that I put up each year complete with snow, illuminated street lanterns, people and animals. The village is representative of a 1920’s small town with a town center that has a merry-go-round, village carolers and people going to worship and shop. After putting the village in place a couple of years, I decided to name it “Munden Point,” which is the name of the small town that my husband’s family is from in Virginia.”

Additionally, Patrice uses a co-mingling of family member’s recipes that originated with her mother, sister, aunts and grandmother to create a sweet potato pie with the best parts from her family recipes, adding her own updated twists to create the ultimate recipe. (You’ll find her sweet potato recipe below).

Christmas Around The Country

Entertaining at Christmas happens across the country with all the jubilance and glory of the season. Celebrations unfold with their own subtle nuances from region to region. In the Pacific Northwest, where smoked salmon is often given as a Christmas gift and Washington Apple Cake is a favorite regional dessert, homes are decorated with sprays of native foliage, and trees are adorned with lights and ornaments that reflect the casual, eco-friendly and mesmerizing beauty of the region.
Christmas in the Northeast also has a flavor of its own, and holiday guests are likely to partake in a variety of regional dishes, including Oyster-Cornbread Dressing and Christmas Plum Pudding, as well as clam chowder and lobster dishes. Snow-covered landscapes and history-inspired towns and cities provide an ideal backdrop for warm, welcoming, traditional holiday décor and equally inviting celebrations.

Traditional Christmas is more important than ever with a focus on spending time with family and entertaining. Designing a memory-making celebration that glistens with your own special touches and honors your family heritage and Christmases past with fond recollections is a wonderful gift to give yourself and your family this year.

Design Tips from Around the Nation:

Themed trees bring an added meaning to decking the halls!  Having more than one tree to celebrate family and the season of giving may be one of the meaningful traditions that your family can adopt!  Here are some ideas for trees of all sizes:

Generational Tree:

This “picture perfect” tree will be a favorite for family members of all ages. By using picture frame ornaments (available at Crate & Barrel and Pier One and other home décor shops) at your tree trimming gathering, photos of family members will fill the branches with a beautiful display of the faces of your family unlike any other. By reaching into your photo archives and gathering sentimental and special photos, you’ll transform your tree into a wondrous family pictorial. Consider hanging ornaments that commemorate a special interest or event of the year for each child in the family, as well. These are sure to become treasured keepsakes. And don’t forget those darling pictures of your family pets on this memory-making tree!

The Giving Tree:

Even a pint-size tree can hold the meaning of the season for the youngest family members. This tree can easily be adorned by the children in the family with small toys “wrapped” in any kind of small handmade (or purchased) cloth sacks tied with colorful ribbons. Children can donate all of these tiny gifts to local shelters and other worthy organizations after the first of the year – keeping the spirit of Christmas alive beyond your traditional celebration. Children can also use these “gift bag” ornaments to hold special play toys or treats for furry friends that your local animal shelter will love to receive!

Advent Tree:

Similar to the Giving Tree, an “Advent Tree” is on display for 24 days leading to Christmas as is decorated by the children in the family. Filling this tree with heartfelt items for children in need will certainly warm the hearts of all the children who decorate it. The youngest children might fill the branches with adorable baby items, such as tiny hats, socks, and booties, while the older children could display similar items, such as hats, gloves and scarves, for school-age children. After Christmas, these much-needed winter items will bring warmth and comfort to local children in need.

More Tips for Creating a Christmas to Remember…

Less Is More:

Decorating a boxwood or cedar topiary as an alternative to a traditional tree and is an organic, eco-friendly idea.  Adorn it with nature-inspired ornaments, such as birds (peacocks are popular this year) or handmade ornaments from old Christmas cards outlined with ribbon or other trim and displayed with raffia, tied into a bow.

Think Green:

Holiday greenery comes in an array of fresh and artificial varieties, and they’re no longer just for decking the halls. Use it to make garlands, wreaths and centerpieces to bring warmth and a sense of the season. Tuck eucalyptus, holly, winter-berries and dried magnolia leaves into pine greenery to reflect light and provide different color tones. Synthetic garlands are versatile and adapt to banisters or over archways more easily than natural materials. Attach ornaments and ribbon bows for a cheerful holiday accent. Use mini battery-powered LED lights to create starry highlights on garland, centerpieces, or other decorations in need of a bit of holiday sparkle.

Flowery Ideas:

Fill your home with fresh, winter-inspired white amaryllis, Christmas cactus, chrysanthemum, lilies and hydrangea. These “whites” will glisten with their crisp, “bringing the outdoors in” appeal. Adds touches of turquoise and silver accents for a sparkling, dynamic look!

It Takes a Village:

Building gingerbread houses as a family brings the generations together in a special way at Christmas. This year, forgo a traditional floral centerpiece on the dining table and instead create a charming holiday scene featuring gingerbread houses or ceramic Christmas village miniatures. Sprinkle faux snow along the center of the table, then place homes, stores, trees and people to create a focal point that will delight family and dinner guests of all ages.

A Twist on Traditional:

Popular colors for Christmas 2011 are jewel tones such as fuchsia, purple and blue, in addition to deep shades of copper and brown. Pink and purple (wine colors) garden grays and greens, with a touch of lavender, are part of the magnificent palette to add a personalized – and fun – flair to your holiday décor! Also in vogue this year are botanical “shades” – inspired by evergreens, pines and cedar –combined with one of  a variety of new “reds” (from a shiny burgundy to lively red raspberry). Apple green and white provide a fresh “twist” on a traditional palette (with pops of a bright new shade of red) and will enliven your home and add a touch of newness to your traditional arrangements.

What’s Old is New Again:

Nostalgia “rocks” this year, as families seek “retro reindeer” and other iconic toys, sleds and trinkets to add to their displays and Christmas trees for a vintage, or holiday whimsical, look. Look for ornaments that have the look and feel of the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s – adding a bit of “cool retro” to the holiday mix.

You Take the Cake:

Use your culinary skill to whip up a few recipes with that are reserved for Christmas celebrating and invite the children to help. This year, consider baking and decorating holiday-inspired cupcakes together – it may become a new, and favorite, Christmas tradition! And, cupcakes take the cake at every age!

From the Interior Designer, Patrice Munden:

“Barge Family” Sweet Potato Pie

• 3-4 Large Sweet Potatoes
• 4 eggs
• ½ Cup of Butter (Softened)
• ½ Teaspoon Salt
• 2 Cups of Sugar
• ½ Teaspoon Nutmeg
• 1 Can Evaporated Milk (13 oz.)
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
• (3) 9-inch Deep Dish Pie Shells

1. Boil potatoes until a fork easily pierces thru them. Let cool completely—do not place in water to cool.
2. Remove skin from potatoes and mash until smooth.
3. Stir in vanilla, butter and sugar.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time.
5. Mix in nutmeg, salt and milk.
6. Pour mixture into pie shells and sprinkle lightly with nutmeg.
7. Place pies on a cookie sheet and bake at 375 for approx one hour and 15 minutes. Test center of pies with a knife.
8. Cool before serving