Christmas Dreams

by Mary Jo

I’m going out on a limb here to say I don’t think the world is going to end today, Mayan Apocalypse notwithstanding. <G>  Instead, it’s the winter solstice, the first day of Capricorn, and the heart of holiday madness.  People are shopping, wrapping, cooking, collapsing.  So I decided to ask the Wenches just for fun what they might choose for a Dream Christmas.  As always, the replies are as varied and amusing as the Wenches. <G> 

Joanna:

I've always wanted to see the Northern Lights.  So maybe my dream Christmas is a fancy ski resort somewhere in the far north.  Norway perhaps.  Good food in the lodge.  Big roaring fire in the lounge.  Cheerful skiers hanging about.  (No -- I don't want to ski myself, thank you.) 

And then, along about midnight, I'd go out on the deck and look up.  There'd be curtains of blue and red and green waving and shimmering across the sky.
Merry Christmas. 

Nicola commented: 

Joanna, we went to see the Northern Lights in Norway a few years ago, staying in a very cosy log cabin we had rented. When the locals heard we were there to see the Northern Lights they said "They come out at 8pm." We thought this was weird - how could they be so predictable? But bless me, at 8pm for three nights in a row the Northern Lights came out right on cue and we lay in the snow and watched them shimmer overhead. (The island we were on also had a hidden military base in the centre of a mountain just like in James Bond, but that's another story.)

Pat:

I'm California dreaming. I've had enough snow and ho-ho-ho in my life, and while I appreciate the joy of those Christmases, life has moved on. I need sun and warmth and my family, and they're all in California right now. Although I spent a delightful Christmas in Hawaii with family one year, and that worked beautifully too!

Nicola:

There's a definite appeal about going somewhere hot for Christmas but I am so steeped in tradition that I'm not sure it would feel quite right. Wonderful but not Christmas. So I think my dream would be a little house in a big wood, the snow deep outside but with a warm log fire inside and lots of delicious food. When I've eaten too much I'll roll out of the front door and take the dog for a walk in the snow. Definitely the fairytale option! (And ok, the photo isn't exactly a "little" house but it would do fine!)

Jo:

Funnily enough, the Christmas setting that twangs my heart strings is dark and wet. Yes, truly. I realized this when we moved to Victoria, British Columbia, in 1996. It's the part of Canada that has mild winters. By then, we'd been in Canada for twenty years, living in places where a white Christmas was a given, and to be honest the appeal of that was long gone. I went downtown to shop, and the short day meant that darkness fell. It was raining lightly -- not enough to be uncomfortable for a Lancashire lass -- and the Christmas lights were gleaming on the wet roads and pavements. Instant nostalgic bliss. Christmas as it ought to be!

Nicola commented:  Jo, I love this and as a Yorkshire girl I can identify with dark, wet Christmases too!

Cara/Andrea:

My mother was Swiss, so I grew up hearing St. Nicholas stories of fairytale Alpine settings with timeless traditions. So my Dream Christmas is to go to Davos, where her family spent the winter holidays. (We went there together in summer, but never in winter.) 

It’s a famous ski village, with world-class slopes and miles of cross-country skiing over frozen lakes and scenic trails. So I’d enjoy the snow sports all day, then savor mulled wine and “biberli” (a traditional Swiss confection made of gingerbread and almond paste) as the setting sun painted the mountains in a rosy alpenglow. At night, I would walk through the streets to enjoy the festive Christmas lights, the smell of fresh cut pine, the glitter of real candles on the trees—and to stuff myself with more wonderful Swiss pastries! (Hey, I skied all day! There I am on the left.)

Anne:

Christmas in Australia is a little bit weird — with a large part of our culture transplanted from Europe, and still fairly British by tradition, we're raised with the secret  belief that A Proper Christmas is a white one — a belief reinforced by American Christmas movies and songs.  So all the shop windows are decorated with fake snow, and Santas sweat under thick red costumes and fake beards. And  on Christmas day we sit in our light cotton clothes, in roasting  temperatures, eating roast turkey or pork or ham with baked vegetables and gravy, followed by steaming hot plum pudding . . and then we go to the beach!

It's slowly changing, and we're increasingly adapting traditional Christmas dishes to be more suitable for a hot climate (plum pudding ice-cream, anyone?) but when I was a kid, even families who were camping over the summer holidays would slave over a hot camp oven to produce a delicious roast dinner followed by hot plum pudding.  Because that's what Christmas is.

So having only experienced one cold Christmas in my life, and that a drizzly London one when I was eight, my fantasy is the Christmas of all those gorgeous Christmas stories that we all enjoy so much. I've built a snowman, but never around Christmas, I've cut down a pine tree for Christmas but always in roasting temperatures.

So I'd like Christmas in a gorgeous old English country house, with delicious things cooking up in the aga, a big blazing fireplace in the sitting room and a bunch of good friends, drinking and sharing stories and delicious nibbles. It must, of course, be a white Christmas, so I want to wake up on Christmas morning to see big fat flakes of snow drifting down to coat the world in a blanket of white — no blizzards in my fantasy, thank you. Then in the daytime I'd want to play in the snow doing all the things I've written about and never done — tramping through snow to gather holly and mistletoe to decorate the house, making snow angels, skating on a frozen pond, taking a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh (with bells on) through a hushed white landscape, and coming home to a blazing fire, roasting chestnuts and hot mulled wine. 

(Now excuse me while I turn on the air-conditioner.)

Mary Jo:

I love my home and burrowing in with the cats and Mayhem Consultant, with plenty of food and entertainment and NO responsibilities!  But for a dream Christmas?  I’d join several of the other Wenches in dreaming of a beautiful house in a beautiful place. In fact, why not Ashford Castle, where we had a wonderful visit in September?  There would be room for all the Wenches and significant others and our pets, because what’s a holiday without our fur friends???  The rooms are large and gracious, with beautiful views of the grounds or the lake, and the food is marvelous.  So we could have chatting or privacy or roaring fires, and maybe go out to watch the trained falcons fly. 

We’d love if you stopped by to join us for tea as well.  There’s space by the fire and plenty of delicious tea and cakes for all!

So what would your Dream Christmas be?  Have you had one already?  What would you choose for another?

Happy holiday dreaming!

Mary Jo

Comments

[Maggie Robinson]

I loved reading your dreams! We're having a white Christmas now in Maine, and an early one,too--we're opening presents tomorrow and doing a roast pork dinner, because that was when most of the family could get together. I may be sleeping in Christmas Day & going to McDonald's. :)

I hate snow, I hate winter, and sometimes I wonder why I live in Maine. But any Christmas Dream is fine as long as my kids and grandkids are home wherever we happen to live. Happy holidays!

[Laura]

How heartwarming reading about your dream Christmases. thank you for sharing. And what fun seeing how different various parts of the world are.
My sibs, mother, and my husband and "kids" all gather in Vermont at my mother's. That remains my dream - though I'd add the snow we haven't had for several years! It's looked more like Jo's dream lately :D
Joanna, I thought we were having a variation on Northern Lights last night - but apparently it was a power station blowing! http://annapolis.patch.com/articles/video-massive-power-outages-in-anne-arundel?ncid=newsltuspatc00000003

Whatever your dreams and your reality, I wish all of you ~ and all ~ a very happy Christmas.

[Janga]

It's amazing how pervasive the idea of a white Christmas is. We have snow in our Christmas music, books, and movies and fake snow for our Christmas village display as well as in our dreams, but I can remember less than a handful of white Christmases in my life--and we had only a couple of inches then. We'll be having two Christmases this year, one Sunday and a smaller one on a rainy Christmas Day, because not all the family could gather at the same time. What matters is that I will be sharing the season with all my family. I'm sure I'll be giving the grands a few extra hugs this year.

Whether you have your dream Christmas or not, I hope your holidays are filled with warmth and joy and hope.

[Lil]

My dream Christmas has lots of family, lots of kids, lots of music, and cookies. The geography doesn't matter.

Fortunately for me, that describes most of my Christmases.

[LouisaCornell]

I wish my entire family could have just one more Christmas in Kelsale like the ones we had when we were stationed there. We had a white Christmas each of the three years we lived there. I can still hear the sound of the church bells ringing in Christmas Day. I remember the Christmas crackers, the plum pudding and the house and the entire village covered with snow. Perhaps it was because we were children, but my brothers and I still talk about the wonder and magic of those Christmases and it has been over 40 years.

My second choice would have to be Salzburg. All of the Christmas concerts, the bells, the Christkind Markt, sleigh rides and the quiet beauty of the old part of the city late in the evening after everyone has hurried home.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Maggie--

There's a reason that snowbirds head south from places like Maine when winter comes. And the family and friends are why the snowbirds wait till after the holidays to migrate south! I do hope you at least have some nice leftovers on Christmas Day--McDonald's is pitching it a little low. *G* But the main thing is that you'll have a lovely gathering with your family. The exact date isn't important! Enjoy!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Laura--

I read about the electrical fireworks in your neighborhood last night! Northern lights would have been -much- nicer.

Have a wonderful family gathering in Vermont,and with exactly the right amount of snow. Not too much, not too little!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Janga--

It's rather ironic that we have all this mythos about the white Christmas, and probably there isn't a whole lot of snow in Bethlehem even at the solstice. You live in Tennesee, don't you? Not the snow belt. Be grateful. *G* And by all means extra hugs for the grands! Happy Christmas to you for both your gatherings.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Lil--

Family, kids, music, and cookies do hit the important points! So enjoy wherever you are when all these good things come together.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Louisa--

Kelsale sounds like Christmas heaven for children! Lovely that you and your brothers have such memories to share. But Salzburg, Mozart's city of music, sounds magical as well. Have a joyous Christmas!

[Jo Banks]

A white christmas always sounds magical but with the usual southern british inability to deal with snow I am glad we don't get them often!!This year it looks like we will need boats rather than sleighs to get about so if you dream of a soggy christmas darkest dorset looks set to have it all!!This year for the first time in thirty years I am not in charge of christmas lunch we are off to have it with our brand new grandson.Though i have already been put in charge of the vegetables and since the daughter is a vegetarian her other half is in charge of the goose(so probably will need a hand)At least her brother and his other half are dealing with pudding!Sounds organised should be fun and probably manic with the baby wanting his meal very vocally at the most awkward time!As I seem to remember his mother and uncle doing at their first christmas's!!
I wish you all a peaceful and happy christmas where ever you are.

[Mary Jo Putney]

LOL, Jo! "I'm dreaming of a wet Christmas." *g* But it sounds like you'll have a marvelous one doting on that new grandboy!Have a lovely holiday with your expanded family.

[SusannahC]

My dream Christmas is one in which the entire family is all together in one place. We haven't had one for several years, and I miss them. I don't care if it's in a warm location or a cold one; I just want the entire family together.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Susannah--

It's probably too late to round up the whole clan for this year, but time to start programming for -next- year. Good luck with that! And happy holidays with what family is within hugging distance.

[theo]

My dream Christmas is one I've enjoyed numerous times in my life. Big, fat snowflakes falling, four or five inches on the ground, a big tree, lots of lights and my family around me. It's wonderful though this year in Michigan, we might have a sunny, boring, 34 degree day. *sigh*

But owning that little house in the woods you have posted would be a HUGE plus! :)

For what it's worth, I live on the same piece of property I grew up on and I can't any longer because of "progress," but when I was young, we could see the Northern Lights from our backyard. I'm about 30 miles SW of Detroit.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Theo, it's lovely that your roots are so deep, but unfortunate that progress has stolen your Northern Lights. But the core of the holiday--the family, lights. the tree--are there. And I hope you get at least a dusting of that pretty snow!

[Jaye Marie Rome]

Hello, Ladies! Worthy dreams, all!

I have two dreams, one of which we are hoping to make come true next Christmas. I've always wanted to see the holiday market in Munich. Like Andrea, I've been to Munich before, but not at Christmas. In 2013, Christmas is on a Wednesday, which gives us four days at the market if we fly out the Friday before. Once Christmas comes, the market closes.

My second dream Christmas would be to have a summer Christmas Down Under, in either Australia or New Zealand. I was hoping to do that in 1995, but my mom was ill at the time, and I was afraid something would happen while we were away. It turned out to be a good decision to not go, because my mom ended up passing away on New Year's Eve that year. So that dream trip remains, to be taken someday.

I hope you all have a Merry, Merry Christmas!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Jaye Marie--

The Christmas market in Munich sounds wonderful for next year! A friend of mine's daughter is living in Germany, so she and her husband are over there now to celebrate.

Australia and New Zealand are both wonderful. I've visited both twice, but not at Christmas. I hope you get your chance to spend the holidays there.

And while planning for the future, I hope you have a great Christmas right where you are!

[Jo Beverley]

Jo here. What a lot of lovely Christmas memories and plans. And Jo Banks -- isn't it funny that we have 3 JoB, me, Joanna Bourne, and you -- I hear you on the wet. I just heard that they're recommending that no one take the train except for emergencies from Devon and Cornwall to points east of Taunton because of potential flooding. Christmas travel problems for many!

[Carol]

I am from England and live in Australia so a cold, white Christmas sounds good to me. Mum says I have forgotten what the cold is like but I can't wait to find out again.
Thank you for the lovely blogs throughout the year, I love reading them.
Carolx

[Mary Jo Putney]

Jo--

Flooding in England, and in parts of the US, ice and snow. There's much to be said for staying home safely! I hope all Wenches and our readers manage a safe Christmas with their nearest and dearest.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Carol--

Thanks for the kind words for the blot, and it's always a pleasure when you stop by. Your Mum is right that you might be forgetting how unpleasant cold can be--but you're also right that visiting a classic white Christmas for several days would be delightful!

Until then--enjoy the mangoes. *g*

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Seems there is a common theme of family, which is wonderful. And yes, Christmas seems to evoke thought of a storybook setting of snow, blazing fires and lots of yummy food.

Whatever your dream, I hope it comes true!

Happy Holidays, everyone.

[Artemisia]

I'd like to go back to Colonial Williamsburg once more. I understand it's changed a lot, but still I'd like to visit the shops, see the decorations, and enjoy the food!

[Mary Jo Putney]

And the same to you, Cara/Andrea! New England does traditional Christmas well.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Artemesia, I visited Colonial Williamsburg once during the holiday decoration season (it was after Christmas, but still decorated), and it was beautiful. Like you, I'denjoy going back. I particularly remember the gorgeous wreaths with fruit like apples included.

[Anne Gracie]

Anne here, waving from my little corner of Australia where it's currently 39°C (just over 100F)

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Christmas or whatever holiday you're celebrating.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Anne--

Enjoy the plum pudding ice cream and the trip to the beach. *g*

[Christina Courtenay]

My dream Christmas would be one spent with ALL my relatives - yes, all of them! I'd love a massive family Christmas with lots of fun and laughter, complete mayhem in other words :-) But there's also something to be said for a quiet one with just the immediate family (which I've had this year and it was lovely!). As for locations, I think I'm with Nicola and Mary Jo - great choices!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Christina--it's fun to dream, isn't it? An advantage of Ashford Castle is that it's large enough for a grand family gathering, but one can also withdraw into one's suite and sit around the fireplace with the nearest and dearest. *g*

Happy Boxing Day!

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