I come from a strong Catholic background. Michael comes from a strong secular humanist background. We are both appalled by the consumerism that drives much of December (and so many other seasons). Early in our marriage we came to an agreement on winter celebrations.

Advent is a means of marking time before Christmas. We start lighting a candle 4 Sundays before Christmas and add one lighted candle every Sunday. We join hands before dinner and sing “O Come O Come Emanuel.” It helps lighten an otherwise dark time … — Advent is a means of marking time before Christmas. We start lighting a candle 4 Sundays before Christmas and add one lighted candle every Sunday. We join hands before dinner and sing “O Come O Come Emanuel.” It helps lighten an otherwise dark time of year.

Yes, those are beer bottles I’m using as candle sticks. I find it easier to move them about, as our dining room table also is project-central in our household.

We cannot cut a tree before December 6, which is St. Nicholas Day. Since our favorite tree cutting helper usually doesn’t arrive before December 20th or so, our tree goes up late in the season. We still mark December 6th with small gifts of food and… — We cannot cut a tree before December 6, which is St. Nicholas Day. Since our favorite tree cutting helper usually doesn’t arrive before December 20th or so, our tree goes up late in the season. We still mark December 6th with small gifts of food and clothing.

Having a child to help decorate is worth the wait.

The Grand Girl and her dad were cookie cutting machines!

We make two types of cookies: gingerbread (Michael prefers them un frosted) and biscochitos (a Mexican anise seed cookie topped with cinnamon sugar).

Michael added pies and bread to the bakery bounty.

Christmas is a birthday party, so we also made a cheesecake.

We managed to squeeze 11 into the dining room. Someday I hope to build a modular table that will seat 12 comfortably, but can be broken down for everyday use. Oh wait, we’ll always be using the dining room table for projects. Just talked myself out… — We managed to squeeze 11 into the dining room. Someday I hope to build a modular table that will seat 12 comfortably, but can be broken down for everyday use. Oh wait, we’ll always be using the dining room table for projects. Just talked myself out of modular!

The Grand Girl is taking over Auntie Sister’s job of distributing presents.

The Grand Girl and I made my Christmas cards on the Third Day of Christmas. Another wonderful Catholic tradition is celebrating the full 12 days, and then having the Feast of the 3 Kings as the close of the season.

We celebrated New Years with noisemakers.

Followed by reading our favorite stories before bed.

Our house feels empty without children filling it to the brim. Michael and I took a few days to clean and then we put away the tree on January 6th. Now we are back in construction mode. It is good to work on making a space for that table I want to build.