2007 Holiday Season Commences

They are beginning to put up the Christmas tree outside my window. This yearly ritual always brings joy to my heart, as I consider this MY personal tree that twinkles fairy lights at me from thanksgiving until the early new year. Forget that it is in the center of the pedestrian mall where everyone can’t fail but admire it. I still consider it there for my viewing pleasure.

It is a reminder of all things holiday, and is the focal place for many groups of school carolers and church chorals who come to sing for any lucky passer-by and of course expressly for me since they are right below my window.

There will now be, for the next few weeks, a weekend Christmas market of local people selling their crafts. I love browsing around their stalls, seeing the pride they have in their creations. Most of my socking stuffers and client gifts come from these stalls, since I believe in supporting local trade and keeping my pennies close to home.

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I also love the constant transformations of the Tibetan stalls as I watch their wares change from summer fashion to winter wear. People hold up and try on the most amazingly brilliant Pashmina shawls – all colors of the rainbow flashing in the sun and attracting my attention. I would love to have every one of them from the brightest peacock blue to the hottest fuchsia to the many paisley mixes. As a perspective buyer holds up and wraps a shawl around her shoulders, she becomes my personal shopper as I imagine what it would look like on me. Of course I already have far too many shawls and scarves, since I have been visiting these stalls for many years and giving into my lust for colorful flowing drapes to go stylin’ in… But I can still pretend that all these wonderful wares are mine vicariously through the shoppers below.

I love this time of year!