This morning’s earlier post has put me in a Boston state of mind, when the city becomes something magical and wondrous during the Christmas season – like most cities I suppose. Earlier this season, when preparing for a Friendsgiving with Kira, I got an unexpected spark of inspiration to decorate for Christmas, something that I hadn’t planned on doing this year with our limited visits. With all that’s happened of late, it seemed better to do a minimalist version of holiday decorating, but as I sat in the condo and thought of at least a coupe of visits with friends and family, I felt something pushing me to make it as pretty and warm and cozy as I could, and the involved hanging the holiday drapes, lighting the holiday accent boughs, and bringing out the sparkle and the gold for the fireplace mantle. Even if it’s just for one weekend of a Holiday Stroll, it will be worth it.
There’s actually not that much to the decorating in such a small space. The curtains alone form the main thrust of intimacy and coziness, creating a sliver of an alcove between the living room and the bedroom, where the wet bar resides, now bedecked with candles and a swath of faux fern and magnolia garland.
A family photo is bracketed by Christmas lights and more ever-greenery, a reminder than however far, family is always close at heart – which is the essence of the holiday season.
Finally, in our little bathroom, a lit garland of evergreens and red cardinals lines the brick backdrop, lending light and cheer to the otherwise-dim room. There, a bottle of Jo Malone’s seasonal ‘Birch and Black Pepper’ cologne awaits spritzing. It’s a reminder of a holiday excursion to try cologne at Neiman Marcus several years back, and a happy illustration of how our holidays build upon each other. Andy gave me the bottle, so he is here in spirit too.
Even when alone in Boston, I’m surrounded by love – in memories, in scents, in atmospheres where we’ve gathered before…
