In the chaotic mix of the holiday season, I often find that there are moments of almost startling serenity. Perhaps it's a matter of being in the eye of the storm, or maybe, as the classic Christmas carol, Silent Night, reminds us, all really is calm and bright.
It was in the midst of one of these wee pockets of tranquility recently that I was almost overwhelmed with the desire to send out Christmas cards to each and every one of my readers - especially after the staggering outpouring of love and assistance that you guys have bestowed on us after the fire.
Naturally, for a myriad of reasons, such isn't possible - however, I can convey the same kinds of festive sentiments here on my blog, which I hope you'll agree with me is quite similar to classic greeting cards themselves.
In particular, my mind is overflowing with thoughts of what I truly hope that life, the universe and all other forces at play in this vast world of ours - the spirit of Santa Claus very much included - will bring your way during this profoundly meaningful time of the year.
Some of the following 25 festive wishes - one each for the first 25 days of December - are deep and serious, whereas others are more lighthearted and just for fun.
So, my immensely dear friends, please accept this today's post as my holiday season greeting to each and every of you.
It comes wrapped in love and, I hope, really will ring true through the beautiful days that fill the very last chapter of another exciting year.
1. Tons of festive cheer!
2. That fond nostalgia fills your heart, while...
3. You also create amazing new memories this year
4. Quite time to savour and reflect on what this season really means to you personally
5. Peace in your heart, your family, and all areas of your life
6. Lots of opportunities to rock your favourite vintage/repro/rockabilly/pinup/or any other type of holiday attire (adorable Christmas themed novelty brooches very much included)
7. Serene walks taken in the crisp early winter air that remind you of the powerful, though sometimes not instantly obvious, beauty that this time of the year houses
8. The joy that comes with giving a gift or otherwise doing something that truly brightens someone's holiday and leaves a lasting impression on them for years to come
9. A new vintage treasure or two amongst your gifts
10. The ability to still enjoy at least some of the elements of the season with the same sort of wide-eyed wonder you had as a child
11. If you live in a part of the world where such is possible, that you're greeted to a white Christmas on the 25th
12. Zero (or, if that's not realistic, as little as possible) family drama during the holidays
13. May you have at least one - and hopefully many - reason(s) to smile every day
14. Fantastic company (friends, family, SO - you name it!) around you often
15. A powerful sense of contentment in your heart and more blessings than you could ever count
16. That your favourite Christmas songs are the ones you hear most frequently
17. A festive season that is sweeter than all the candy canes, sugar cookies, and hot cocoa on earth
18. Gorgeous holiday light displays all throughout your neighbourhood
19. Reminders of the good old days and what Christmastime meant for the generations that came before us
20. The ability to celebrate the season with your pets and/or other favourite animals in your life
21. Fests that fill your belly and warm your soul alike (with lots of yummy leftovers to enjoy for days afterward)
22. The very best health possible
23. Time to watch at least one or two of your favourite holiday TV shows and/or movies
24. The happiest festive season one could ever ask for!
25. An incredible new year ahead that helps you to grow, develop, blossom (as a person), and follow your bliss all the more
{To learn more about a specific image that was used in today's post, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}
♥ ♥ ♥
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the unending gift of your readership, your support, your friendship, your encouragement, your care, your inspiration, and unquestionably your incredible help, generosity and kindness throughout 2016.
I treasure, value and appreciate such more than I could ever put into words and am sincerely looking forward to soon launching into 2017 - a brand new year to put the substantial troubles of this one all the more behind us - with each of you.
First though, we have Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's to celebrate. This will be my last post of the year, but I'll be back in January with multiple new entries here throughout that month, as I begin to ease into blogging on a more regular basis once again (insomuch as the continued post-fire related demands and uncertainty - very much including our longer term housing needs - of our daily lives, as well as my health, will permit).
Wherever you are, however you celebrate this time of the year, and whatever you may be doing as we embrace the last leg of December, from both myself and Tony (as well as our darling Miss Annie), merriest wishes, dear friends!
May you your festivities sparkle and shine, and may all these of the things listed above - and countless more blessings - be yours this holiday season.
