December's Featured Candle: Christmas Past

Growing up, having a real Christmas tree was a big deal in our house.
My Christmas Past Soy Candle is an ode to a magical time of year, and the closest I've found to that true holiday/pine tree scent, without actually having to drag one home.

My mom loved the smell of a real tree, so picking out a 'good one' always felt important. Most of the time, this mission was presented to my mom and us kids, and we always chose to accept it.

My dad got home late from work everyday, and he wasn't the greatest chooser of trees, anyway. If someone didn't tag along, we'd surely end up with a Charlie Brown tree. But it was so exciting when we found a great one!

The guy would help secure it to the top of our car and we'd drag it in, releasing countless needles absolutely everywhere. The aroma of fresh, sticky pine needles scented the air, and marked the official start of the holiday season. 

Magic unfolded as we followed my mother down the basement to retrieve the box of ancient ornaments, a time capsule of memories that made an appearance once a year.

Wrapped in yellowed newspaper, I'd make sure to claim my favorite ornament; a slightly bent, lightly glittered paper-mache birdhouse that once belonged to my grandmother. I always placed it center stage on the tree, and I'm so happy to still own that old ornament, today.

Everyday, my mother would talk to our tree as she watered it, asking it if it were thirsty and telling it how pretty it looked. She was partial to white holiday lights, but us kids preferred the colorful ones, so that's what we used. 

With three siblings, there was plenty of arguing. I anticipated and adored the temporary truce between Christmas and the new year, and looked forward to the special gatherings that required folding tables and good behavior.

A special little area was set up for the blackberry brandy and my grandmothers favorite Manischewitz Concord Grape wine. Sparkly glasses that normally resided in our china cabinet came out for a short visit, and on Christmas Eve we'd eat very fancy things like smoked eel and fried flounder.

And if anyone had cats back in the days of tinsel glory, you'll probably remember, too. In those days, tinsel was the undisputed Queen of Christmas Glamour, and a funny source of entertainment for any cat owner. We always had three or four cats, who considered tinsel the ultimate accessory. 

I remember my cat, Sam, strolling into the room with a glittering string of tinsel trailing from her back end, like some feline fashionista. Holiday comic relief from the cat.

There were plenty of presents and good food. We were far from perfect, (there were more smokers at the table than non-smokers) but there were some perfectly magical memories to love and cherish about Christmas pasts. For this I am grateful. 

Cheers to Christmas' past, present and future. May we continue to create the memories that open our hearts so that we can appreciate all that is good!

Christmas Past Soy Candle is part of the Wintertime Candle Collection: Inspired by the coldest of seasons, best experienced when watched through frosted window panes, hot beverage in hand.