Merry Christmas to everyone who’s still celebrating in their part of the world. It’s just tipped over into Boxing Day here and everything’s starting to wind down. Christmas seems to come faster every year, then it’s over before you know it.
We just had a quiet day this year; opened our presents in the afternoon and had a salad, with some berries for dessert. We live a fair distance from most of our family and Christmas isn’t such a big deal for us anymore. If my health improves I’d like to volunteer somewhere next year. I think that would be a great way to spend Christmas and spread some cheer.
That’s one thing that has really stood out for me this year. With the economy it’s been a difficult Christmas for many people but generally they’ve still been in good spirits. I’ve seen people saying Merry Christmas to strangers, shoppers wearing Santa hats, bus drivers decorating their buses in tinsel. It’s really brought people together this year.
Sydney comes alive during Christmas and I’ve been taking a lot of photographs to capture the festive season. I thought I’d share some of them, to show what our Christmas is really like. Some of the displays have been fantastic this year. And our tree came out pretty well too.
Wherever you are in the world, Merry Christmas. I hope you’ve had a wonderful day and have a peaceful rest of the year.
We went for a bejewelled theme for our tree this year, with white tinges throughout. We’ve had some of the ornaments for almost twenty years now. My favourite decoration is the glass reindeer; it sparkles when light shines on it.
This was the first year where I fixed the tinsel and lights. I feel like I’ve grown up! The cord was so tangled though that it took almost an hour to undo. Bah humbug indeed.
It’s usually too hot for a roast so our Christmas dinner was a salad, with an assortment of berries and Christmas cake for dessert. Much less fuss and just as delicious.
The berries were my favourite part. They’re usually expensive, so we only get them once or twice a year. The blackberries were particularly nice and sweet.
These are from the Christmas window displays at David Jones in Sydney. They’re scenes from favourite Christmas carols and they were spectacular this year. They’d rival almost anything in New York.
I love the photo with the two elves. They were so excited that they kept bumping into people! I guess that’s what Christmas is all about.
These are some of the houses around our area that have been decorated for the holidays. Outdoor decorations still aren’t that common over here but it’s exciting when you see them.
I can’t help but wonder what their power bills and carbon footprint must be like but I love the Santa sign. Very cute.
More photos are available on Flickr, if you’re interested. Enjoy. 😉
Hi CJ! Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!..Hope you have the best year ever!! 2010 a lucky one for you!…Looking at ur pics, I realize that wherever we live the spirit is the same..It is just that I picture it more like a ”White Christmas” than a Golden one…
Take carexoxox
CV
You captured this year’s Christmas perfectly Chris. The bus drivers and the buses were incredible…. even after Christmas. On Boxing Day when I went up for the sales… passengers and myself were asking after the driver’s Christmas…he had worked….and we wished him well.
I do not remember quite the level of comaraderie…maybe the financial crisis did do something else for society….show us all what is really important…having a job…having immediate family and friends close to you and letting the people around you know you care.
The Christmas lights were really something …as was David Jone’s windows…and for the the faces of the grandparents were priceless as they shared in the joy of this time of year.
It is hard when one is unwell as one’s health does not magically get better because of the time of year…but I agree it would be great to contribute in some way…although I think we do in our own small way when we talk to busdrivers and people in the coffee shops and businesses and spread the goodwill of the season.
And …you love the whole production so much that some of that joy comes out of you at this time…I am sure of it and spreads into the ether and is shared by many.
Forgive me, am whimsical at present, loved these posts.
Hi CV! Thank you so much for the kind thoughts. A belated Happy New Year to you too! I hope you have a wonderful year and that 2010 brings you much happiness and joy.
The Christmas spirit really is the same wherever we live, isn’t it? For you Christmas may be cold and snowy, for us warm and golden, but the joy it brings to people is the same everywhere. It really is a wonderful time of the year.
Are you looking forward to the Winter Olympics? I imagine parts of Canada must be very excited. I enjoy the Winter Games, so I’ll definitely be watching. The sports are quite different to what we’re used to, so it’s a lot of fun.
Take care CV. Have a happy and peaceful 2010. 🙂
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Thanks for the kind words, MQ. Even though it feels different now that I’m older, Christmas is still a special time of the year and you know I love trying to capture the spirit of the season. The photos really did that this year; they came out really well.
I think the camaraderie was there this year but I don’t think it was as obvious. Charities said that even though donations were down, people were still donating and trying to help; that people still managed to give even though times are tough, and just the way people created the atmosphere, I think really showed what was important to them this Christmas.
Christmas is hard when you’re not well; it can be depressing and remind you of what you’re missing. I think that’s one reason why I’d like to volunteer at some stage, though; I know what it’s like and how the little things can make Christmas special. If I can help to make someone else’s Christmas special, then that’s something I’d love to do.
I’m glad you liked both posts! Just wish I’d been able to write a few more for Christmas like I’d planned. Oh well. There’s always next Christmas. 😉
Happy 2010! Let’s hope it’s a good one.
A belated Happy New Year. My excuse is that the weather here in Scotland has kept me rather busy of late. I hope all turns out well for you in 2010.
I really enjoyed looking at the photos. Thank you SO much for posting them. I love your Christmas trees. That’s my favorite way of decorating it…with a mixture of ornaments that have been in the family for a long time.
I hope you have a happy and more healthy 2010.
I don’t know how I missed this post. Just beautiful. I didn’t decorate this year so just seeing these photo’s makes me feel better! Thanks and take care.
Hi Stonehead! A belated Happy New Year to you too.
I’ve seen how severe the weather’s been in the UK; sounds like you’ve caught the full brunt of it. I hope it hasn’t disrupted the running of your croft too much?
My best wishes for a happy and productive 2010 to you and your family.
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Hi Dina! Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos; they came out even better than I’d hoped. One of the things I like most about Christmas is the memories of years gone by and that’s one reason I love putting up our tree… finding old decorations and reminiscing. I’m glad I could share it with people this year.
I hope you have a wonderful & peaceful 2010. Are you planning on coming to Australia at all this year?
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Hi BD! Thank you, I’m glad you liked the photos. We don’t entertain that much during the festive season, so I love to take photos of our decorations and share them… it makes it feel like we’re inviting people into our home and sharing the spirit. I’m glad it did that for you. 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful 2010. Look forward to catching up!