December Celebrations

♫Here We Come A-Wassailing♫

In Mary Mason Campbell's "The New England Butt'ry Shelf Almanac," illustratated by Tasha Tudor, she writes, "The original meaning of the word 'Wassail' remains rather obscure, but it may have meant 'Be Thou Well,' or a kind of 'Here's-to-you' toast of good will not necessarily confined to Christmas festivities.  The early custom was for a servant or the host to bring in a bowl filled with appropriate liquor made from cider, ale, wine or rum and spices, usually heated and with roasted apples bobbing on top.  As he did so, he would call 'Wassail! wassail! wassail!' ...The ceremony has carried over in our custom of sharing the Christmas season with friends and neighbors with a bowl of spiced punch or eggnog or syllabub..."

(To print, drag to desk top)

Christmas is a WONDERFUL time of the year not only because we celebrate Jesus' birth, but because it can bring out the child-like qualities in us all---even the year-long scrooges!

Tasha Tudor is well known for how she celebrated Christmas.  In "A Time to Keep" she tells us, "Christmas was the best of all times to keep."  She'd begin the celebration by putting up the Christmas pyramid and Advent calendar on St. Nicholas Day.  She'd light the Advent wreath and serve St. Nicholas cake. . . .

One of my favorite of her traditions was the creche in the woods which I did one year when my children were still at home. . . .                                                

Then Christmas eve the family would go into the woods to cut down a tree.  We started the tradition of cutting down our tree from a tree farm the first year we were married.  Tasha's tree would not be decorated until Christmas night and the children would be kept out of the room until it was all done.  In "Take Joy" (her 1966 Christmas book) she writes, "By the time the evening chores are finished, everyone is in the proper state of excitement.  At last the tree is completely decorated and lighted and the presents are piled beneath and around it.  Now Seth winds up the antique music box and sets it at Hark! the Herald Angles Sing.  This is the signal the children have been waiting for.  The doors burst open--and there stands the tree in all its shimmering glory.  The rest of the evening is spent in that happy enjoyment only Christmas brings". . . .

Tasha celebrated Christmas through other books, too, such as "Snow Before Christmas". . . .

.....and "The Doll's Christmas". . . .

A few years ago the Historic Odessa Foundation in Odessa, Delaware had a very inspiring exhibit called A Joyful Tasha Tudor Christmas.  I did a post about it last year which can be found HERE.

If Christmas is your special holiday, too, then "Forever Christmas" is a must-have book.  In it you get to see up-close and personal photographs by Jay Paul as Tasha prepares for her celebration. . . .such as these gingerbread ornaments she made every year with the children. . . .

Other Christmas-themed books by Tasha include:  "The Night Before Christmas," "Corgiville Christmas," a 3-dimensional book "A Book of Christmas," "Tasha Tudor's Favorite Christmas Carols," "Tasha Tudor's Advent Calendar," and "Around the Year". . . .

Note:  All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Book links take you to Amazon where you can take a look inside.

I hope you have been inspired to slow down and really celebrate the season--not just go through the motions.  If it means down-sizing what you usually do, then so be it.  It is better to enjoy just a few activities than to wear yourself out with worry or work.

Do you do celebrate Christmas with any of the same traditions as Tasha?

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Take Joy!