A Hint of the Holidays Around the House
Oh, certainly there have been years when I haven't missed a corner around the house when it came to holiday decorating. No corner or piece of furniture was safe from the hands of the holiday decorating enthusiast.
Sure, through the years, I have slowed down a skoosh on the holiday decor - little by little - and then came 2020 - when the year became "holidays for one" due to COVID. Who knows what this year is going to bring? The plan is to play it by ear and go one day at a time.
No matter if I spend another holiday alone or finally get to spend it with my siblings and a few close friends, no sense in being a Grinch.
Trust me, I have boxes and boxes of holiday decor, but I brought out just a few old vintage collectibles that I have enjoyed through the years.
This is only half of the collection of the vintage Putz houses. What is a Putz house? The name for Putz houses evolved from the German word for "putzen," which means to clean or decorate. These little houses have now been around decorating holiday mantles everywhere close for 100 years.
The little Napco brand Christmas girl and the "Made in Occupied Japan" marked star elf. The Napco pottery brand was originally started in the 1930s in Ohio and is known for its novelty florist vases and figurines. The company also imported from Japan in the 1950s. The candle tree I have had now for over 40 years.
Sure, through the years, I have slowed down a skoosh on the holiday decor - little by little - and then came 2020 - when the year became "holidays for one" due to COVID. Who knows what this year is going to bring? The plan is to play it by ear and go one day at a time.
No matter if I spend another holiday alone or finally get to spend it with my siblings and a few close friends, no sense in being a Grinch.
Trust me, I have boxes and boxes of holiday decor, but I brought out just a few old vintage collectibles that I have enjoyed through the years.
This is only half of the collection of the vintage Putz houses. What is a Putz house? The name for Putz houses evolved from the German word for "putzen," which means to clean or decorate. These little houses have now been around decorating holiday mantles everywhere close for 100 years.
The little Napco brand Christmas girl and the "Made in Occupied Japan" marked star elf. The Napco pottery brand was originally started in the 1930s in Ohio and is known for its novelty florist vases and figurines. The company also imported from Japan in the 1950s. The candle tree I have had now for over 40 years.
The 1950s Miller Rosbro vintage miniature hard plastic snowmen. The snowmen and Santas were often designed to hold candy or hung from the tree. Miller Rosbro also made miniature hard plastic Halloween decor.
And last, but not least - the simmering Yule pot. The natural ingredients from your yard and kitchen are much nicer and safer than the department store's chemical fragrances. I filled a little copper pan with tangerines, apples, dried cranberries, a cinnamon stick, and a few leaves of bay. Add water and let it simmer on the back of the stove.
A simmer pot is easy. Go through your crisper drawer in your fridge and pull out pieces of imperfect fruit, check out your herb garden and see what it has to offer. A few sprigs of pine or juniper is also a nice touch. Instead of going out in the frozen rain and snow, I added a few bay leaves for the green from my spice/herb drawer. Shop the Mexican or Middle Eastern cuisine in your supermarket aisles for your best buy on cinnamon sticks. When in doubt, add a few spice and herbal tea bags for another source of soothing fragrances. Feel free to add more fruit and when the mixture loses its "oomph," add some more. Just remember to watch the water level, and before the pot becomes dry, add more water.
A simmer pot is easy. Go through your crisper drawer in your fridge and pull out pieces of imperfect fruit, check out your herb garden and see what it has to offer. A few sprigs of pine or juniper is also a nice touch. Instead of going out in the frozen rain and snow, I added a few bay leaves for the green from my spice/herb drawer. Shop the Mexican or Middle Eastern cuisine in your supermarket aisles for your best buy on cinnamon sticks. When in doubt, add a few spice and herbal tea bags for another source of soothing fragrances. Feel free to add more fruit and when the mixture loses its "oomph," add some more. Just remember to watch the water level, and before the pot becomes dry, add more water.
Happy Holidays and Stay Safe.
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