Though DH and I are both Atheists we do celebrate the holidays. For us, Xmas is 100% secular having roots in pagan traditions… though technically we could find another name for it, or not do it the same day etc… we like what we have made it for us…

For me, the magic is the holidays is the lights glittering in the long dark nights, the crisp white snow, getting cozy in our home, sharing time with each other, baking and making the house smell good, watching holiday cartoons and listening to music,  sharing gifts and seeing the magic of the holidays reflect in our children’s faces.

On Xmas eve we have a long standing tradition of having people over for a Fondue supper… Often it is my mom, Simon’s mom, sometimes Simon’s Sister and sometimes various other people. What is great about a fondue supper is that there is little preparation and a long time at the table talking and sharing a meal.

The boys are getting so excited… in the last years we have had Playmobil calendars counting down the days to Xmas, everyday you get a little box to open which completes a scene…

playmobil calendar

(OK, OK, I added the mom with the sling 😉 )

playmobil calendar

last year one of them became part of our playmobil toys while the other got put away again for this year. Instead of buying another this year since each of the boys wants to do something, I found a tree that is perfect for the occasion. Though I could have made one easily, the price was good and I just don’t have the energy for such a project at the moment…

countdown calendar...

So we have been gearing up towards the holidays, counting down the days…  The lights are up outside, and Sunday we trimmed the tree…

Holiday Cartoons in the background, and hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows…

outting the ornaments on the tree...

Putting ornaments on the tree...

All done up…

Our tree

I love the ornaments in our tree… most have a story… all make me smile…

Our tree

You can see a closeup of my some  favourites on Flickr if you click on the pictures below…