I’m betting that, if you are freaked, or even just a little stressed, it’s because you are worried about what you are going to give. You probably haven’t given much thought to what you will or will not get.

If I’m wrong, and you are worried that you won’t get the latest wii-phone (do they have that , yet?) or X-Box…you’re probably here by mistake. But read on, anyway. It will probably work your grey cells in a new way – might even improve your e-game scores.

I just read a post on twitter.com (that’s a “tweet” for those in the know) by a lovely woman whose twitter handle is “Reflective”.

She said the best Christmas present she ever received was a homemade doll.

photo courtesy of teresia at Flickr.com

Her mother made it for her one year when money was really tight.

She still has the doll, lo, these many decades later – and she is still comforted by the love that went into making that doll.

So, for those of you who are concerned about what you can give when your purse is empty – and even more for those who can buy all they want – ponder this a moment:

What can you give that will leave a legacy of love that will last as long as the recipient’s memory?

When it’s all said and done, the memories are what matter.

Blessings on you!

Marilyn

Fortunately for my creative side, virtual decorating takes very little energy. Hence, I was able to fantasize a whole new Christmas decor and share it with you, my gentle readers.

A most unusual artist created these. Her name was Jesse Willcox Smith. Today no one would think it odd, but in her day a single woman making her living as an illustrator was pretty radical. She was much sought after as an illustrator of magazines and children’s books.

I’m so glad these pictures – from a book of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” – have survived.

I have shown them on my site, Creating Great Homes, AND have created a downloadable PDF that you can access through the CGH Store (listed on the left  under Resources.) The actual size of the images is much larger in the PDF.

Downloads are free for site members.  You can get a one-month trial subscription for $1, OR, right now I’m running a Holiday special that is a really crazy subscription price.

Or, you can just go to the store and buy the download.  In any case, I hope you enjoy seeing these charming works by a pioneering American female artist. Blessings on you!

Marilyn

I’m Dreaming of a Blue & White Christmas by Miz Woody