It Starts with A Mug and A Plate

December 14, 2016 by still a dreamer

This is a re-run from an earlier year, but still as true as ever …

ChristmasMugAndPlate2 Or, in reality, 4 mugs and 4 plates. Christmas creeps into my home, ever so slowly, drawing from this cabinet, that closet, this box, that drawer. But it always seems to start with my dollar store Christmas plates and German made Christmas mugs. I feel like a child who has glimpsed a stack of unfamiliar boxes tucked way on top of mommy and daddy’s closet. Something exciting is coming.

These simple items that I’ve had for quite a few years put a smile on my face, and though I see beautiful Christmas dishes everywhere that I’d love to have, I pretty much know I’ll also be happy with these for years to come. They’re enough. And oftentimes, enough is good.

As I watched the TV commercials for Black Friday insanity, my newspapers packed with shiny paper catalogs filled with sales, I wondered how we got to this place of endless need for so much “stuff.” It’s not that I don’t treasure a new addition to my kitchen, book shelf, or whatever … I really do, but there’s also an enjoyment of things that have been around a while, and which have meaning. Especially at this time of year.

So the plates and mugs have now been joined by some festive place mats, candles and accessories. Slowly, the house will really start to feel like Christmas, warm and glow-y … well, like Home.

Posted in Holidays, Life | Tagged Christmas, Christmas mugs, Christmas plates, Christmas traditions, festive, holidays | 10 Comments

10 Responses

on December 14, 2016 at 1:51 pm Patricia Koelmel

Lovely post, Jeanne. I join you in embracing all of our old (but faithful) holiday stuff. Who needs new is right …

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- on December 14, 2016 at 3:26 pm still a dreamer
  
  Not to mention that over the years, we’ve accumulated wonderful things that may not even get a chance to be seen some years! Simple is still good. 🙂
  
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on December 17, 2016 at 3:43 pm Andrea Stephenson

These are the special things aren’t they? The ones that have those memories and that you could never get rid of or replace.

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- on December 17, 2016 at 4:02 pm still a dreamer
  
  So true. Each year as Thanksgiving passes, I start thinking of what will mark the decorative beginning of the Christmas season. Of course, it’s coffee … but only in those mugs. 🙂
  
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on December 27, 2016 at 4:41 pm Lavinia Ross

Those are beautiful plates and mugs, and will provide treasured memories for years to come!

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- on December 28, 2016 at 9:41 am still a dreamer
  
  No doubt. Simple is good, yes? 🙂
  
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on January 19, 2017 at 12:38 pm Cynthia Reyes

Yes, yes. Well said, Jeanne. thanks for sharing and hope the new year is off to a good start for you!

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- on January 19, 2017 at 6:08 pm still a dreamer
  
  Some exciting things are afoot … and soon they will be revealed. 😀
  
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  - on January 19, 2017 at 10:25 pm Cynthia Reyes
    
    Hooray in advance!!!
    
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    - on January 22, 2017 at 5:17 pm still a dreamer
      
      And thanks in advance! May I add you to my mailing list? (I’ll be making an announcement soon) Or you can sign up here if you’d like … http://www.jeannebalsam.com/contactus.asp. But if you don’t want any more e-mail, I’ll also understand. 🙂
      
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