Pink Saturday - Christmas Traditions

A tree to decorate - not Christmas without one.

I'm in New York City! Arrived ahead of the storm which will be hitting the city this afternoon. Heavy snow, up to 8" predicted so don't know what we're in for. New York City, an amazing place which actually holds no traditional memories of Christmas for me. I first arrived here many years ago on my way to Washington, D.C. All I remember of that cold night, following a long flight across the pond (my first time ever in a plane), was having all my luggage opened and examined by Customs & Immigration because, after all, I was an emigrant!

So, like most of us, my Christmas traditions go back to my childhood. In England we celebrated in a much simpler way in the 1940's and '50's, the years when I was growing up. These images were not taken that far back, but they will give you an idea as to some of the things that still mean 'tradition' to me.

Stockings that actually were everyday stockings or socks.

Snuggling by a roaring fire and reading this, the most wonderful story ever of British Christmas traditions. Best is the audio version actually read by the author, Dylan Thomas.

A British must, festive Christmas Crackers to pull at Christmas dinner - so you have a silly paper hat to wear.

Definitely a must, Christmas china to serve all those holiday foods - this set was at SuzAnna's Antiques a couple of years ago. Love the simple design of a holly sprig - now that's tradition.

Of course there's plenty more that is traditional in my home but the city calls, time to pull on boots, bundle up warmly as it's freezing here, leave you and head out to see the Big Apple sights before they're blanketed in snow.

Be sure to visit Beverly at How Sweet The Sound where all the Pink Saturday participants are sharing their holiday traditions.