Blue Christmas
For years after leaving home the song that tugged at my heartstrings the most was "Blue Christmas" and it was that song that would make me the most homesick during the holiday season. "I'll be home for Christmas" never resonated because we moved so many times while I was growing up that literally home was wherever we were at the time. So being home for Christmas wasn't a big desire. But "I'll have a blue Christmas without you....I'll be so blue just thinking about you...." really touched me. And so for years both Mom and I would search until we found just the right Christmas card to send to each other that had a "blue" theme to it. Sometimes just the color of the card, and once she event sent me a card with a tiny little penguin in a Santa hat looking at his feet, and when I opened it the card read "I'll have a blue Christmas without you". It nearly knocked me down.
However, it was fun to focus on how much we missed each other and when I got that penguin card it hit me hard and the tears were mixed with a feeling of love because I knew that no matter where I was, Mexico I believe that year, I knew that my mom missed me and that we were together in our apartness. Somehow knowing that we were both sad that we couldn't spend the holidays together, made the Christmas much merrier.
This is my tenth Christmas since mom passed away and although I can't really send her a card that says "blue", I can honor our little tradition by having a blue Christmas. And so it was really the only option as I contemplating the gift wrapping theme this year. So Mom, if you get Internet access up there, this one is for you!
First collect your supplies:
Needed: A cat, name tags, blue and white ribbon, blue and white paper, and finally blue and white ornaments. Any shade of blue will do, I chose a nice sky blue, navy blue, and white set of ornaments from Ikea. 48 ornaments for $6. Mom loved bargains!
Then it's really as simple as wrapping all the gifts in either solid blue or solid white paper. Keeping a tight color palette is always a good idea when decorating most anything because it makes sense to the eye, and is quite impressive despite it being just paper and ribbon. You can see other examples here (click for bigger views):
2007 Green & Purple - 2006 Snowballs - 2005 Paint Cans - 2004 Red & Green Velvet
And a really neat finishing touch is to add ornaments to the packages, just tying them on with ribbon. That way if the recipient desires they can keep the ornaments and hang them on their trees in the future. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Literally.
And here is what a Blue Christmas looks like.
However, it was fun to focus on how much we missed each other and when I got that penguin card it hit me hard and the tears were mixed with a feeling of love because I knew that no matter where I was, Mexico I believe that year, I knew that my mom missed me and that we were together in our apartness. Somehow knowing that we were both sad that we couldn't spend the holidays together, made the Christmas much merrier.
This is my tenth Christmas since mom passed away and although I can't really send her a card that says "blue", I can honor our little tradition by having a blue Christmas. And so it was really the only option as I contemplating the gift wrapping theme this year. So Mom, if you get Internet access up there, this one is for you!
First collect your supplies:
Needed: A cat, name tags, blue and white ribbon, blue and white paper, and finally blue and white ornaments. Any shade of blue will do, I chose a nice sky blue, navy blue, and white set of ornaments from Ikea. 48 ornaments for $6. Mom loved bargains!
Then it's really as simple as wrapping all the gifts in either solid blue or solid white paper. Keeping a tight color palette is always a good idea when decorating most anything because it makes sense to the eye, and is quite impressive despite it being just paper and ribbon. You can see other examples here (click for bigger views):
2007 Green & Purple - 2006 Snowballs - 2005 Paint Cans - 2004 Red & Green Velvet
And a really neat finishing touch is to add ornaments to the packages, just tying them on with ribbon. That way if the recipient desires they can keep the ornaments and hang them on their trees in the future. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Literally.
And here is what a Blue Christmas looks like.
I keep looking but I don't see anything with my name on it!?!?!?!?
What a wonderful tribute to your Mom and once again your packages look beautiful. Nice to see all the different years!
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What a wonderful way to remember your Mom. It's been 38 years since my Dad passed. I was only 14. Those Christmas memories are more special as the years go by.
Have a Merry Christmas!
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I love all your Christmas themes each year. And the giant fuzzy cat ornament is the perfect touch.
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I love themes! Your idea of the ornaments will have to be copied and I promise to give you full credit!
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I love the theme wrapping! Have a great Christmas, even if it is blue.
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Love the beautiful packages AND your story, Drew! It is going to make me appreciate my time with my mother all the more. Thank you!
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How beautiful! I couldn't afford to buy Christmas presents for my family this year! They are all so far away! I gave magazine subscriptions which don't need to be wrapped. And to the one sister and her husband who live close by I gave a set of mugs that I placed in a gift bag that I received a gift in last year and some leftover tissue paper from last year. I live in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere in the mountains of northwest PA where there are no stores to buy beautiful things like what you bought, either. I'm jealous! lol Maybe next year I'll try to crochet something for everyone. This year I was busy crocheting stuff to sell in my friend's tattoo shop. Have a Merry Christmas!
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How beautiful! I'm doing (as every year) a blue and white theme, too.
My mom is gone, too, and I can't tell you how much I miss her.
I started to write a book about her, but got sidetracked. I think I should finish it.
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I also have cat helpers when it comes time to wrap gifts. How could we get along without them?
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What a beautiful tribute to your mom. The blue is lovely. Happy Holidays!
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Merry Christmas Drew! Your blue and white packages look great. Love the ornament embellishments.
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Pretty!
And what a nice way to remember your mum by. Have a good Christmas.
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The Dude speaks! Looks like he thinks he can take a break from all that crocheting-ing-ing-ing. Drew you look like a sleepy head in your sweater. But, handsome as ever. For sure, there is nothing quite like being bent forward, working busily, never noticing as time slips away. And that is funny about sticking your head in the fridge to graze as needed!
And now about your theme of Blue. That really tugs at a person heart strings. Such sentiment. That is a wonderful thing to share with us. I have not lost any close family but my in-laws have and it painful to watch. I loved my husbands parents and we miss them terribly, still.
As a side note, your creative ability keeps me, well, nearly in shock! How the dickens do people do it. My creative self is not really alive, YET! Growing up in a big family and hatching my own large brew has put a bit of a damper on all that. The family is still kinda large but I've learned to make time for me. A.Slow.Process. :0)
My favorite all time Christmas Song is by Nat King Cole. Chestnuts Roasting. That brings me back to my childhood when we lived at the chicken farm in Maine. A wonderful memory.
May you all have a wonderful and memorable Holiday.
Pam Murphy
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I hope your Mom gets internet access up there - I'm sure she's thinking of you and proud of all you've accomplished.
Love your themed wrapping each X-Mas. Take care and enjoy your holidays be sure to give the furballs some catnip for their holiday cheer LOL
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Drew.. you just made me cry. Your story really touched me. I am away from my parents as well, and though they are still with me, it is hard to celebrate without them these days.
You just made me think about doing a little something extra for them this year...
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wow what a great story. I am sure your Mom is aware of all you do. Have a great holiday!
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