On my parents’ farm, located pretty far from just about anywhere, especially when it snows on the rolling hills of Upstate New York, the day after Thanksgiving is never for shopping. The day after Thanksgiving, and likely several days to follow, is for decorating. Decorating, as you all know, is very serious business indeed.

When I was young, the day always began with a balancing act. My father, who is six and a half feet tall and has always been a bit teetery, would balance on the steep basement steps, the only location from which the nook under the above staircase can be reached. This nook is home to all things Christmas.

From the nook emerged boxes and baskets full of treasures seen but once a year. There was tinsel, of course, and strands of lights, always in need of careful testing and bulb replacement. Most of the items hidden under the stairs, however, were homemade, but what some might have seen as a lack of flashiness or style was well made up for in love.

There was a wooden Christmas tree with tiny wooden ornaments, the arrangement of which my big brother and I took very seriously. Another favorite was a set of pipe cleaner animals who played various musical instrument. I, being younger, was not trusted with setting out those. Many of the ornaments were cloth, and many were wood, and each one was almost like a friend who visits only once a year.

Now, sadly, they’re mostly gone. Wood and cloth don’t last so very long as plastic, I suppose. The nook is still there, though, hidden under one set of steps and reachable only from another. It’s still filled with Christmas joy, and now grandchildren come to help my parents decorate.

Because life can be wonderful at time, especially around the holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, the exuberant voices of children fill the house, and everyone knows it’s time for Christmas.

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In the spirit of Christmas, what was your favorite ornament growing up? Do you still have it today?

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Christmas Giveaway!

As an author of both young adult fantasy and Jane Austen inspired Regency works, and in the spirit of the season, I’m pleased to offer a double giveaway! For all those who adore Christmas and love, I’m offering one eCopy each of the short stories Epiphany with Tea and Miss Bingley’s Christmas, as well as a copy of our bestselling novel, Entanglements of Honor. All three are written with my co-author, Renata McMann.

For those of you who like a little more adventure before tea time, I’m giving away three eCopies of the first book in my five book fantasy series, Gift of the Aluien, published by Martin Sisters Publishing.

Reply to this post to be entered for your chance to win. Feel free to specify if you’re true love is white-gloved angst (Regency) or sword fights, jousting and a touch of magic (fantasy).

For free samples of my fantasy series, visit www.summerhanford.com. For free samples of Renata McMann’s and my Regency work, visit www.renatamcmann.com.

Enjoy and Marry Christmas!