12 Days of Home for the Holidays: Patti Milazzo

I had the privilege of "playing" with Patti at Keepsakes back when I first started scrapbooking.  Matter-of-fact she is the one who encouraged me down the path I've gone with my crafts.  Patti's art and crafts have always inspired me.  I made my first tag by following the design of a tag in a Creating Keepsakes ad.  When Patti saw it she told me it was her's.  Amazing from there I became a tag-a-holic.

Patti designs for several premier manufacturers in the crafting industry: FISKARS Americas - Craft Designer; Glue Arts Design Team; and Project Manager for Bo Bunny.  Patti's blog is full of inspiration and tutorials:  {Crafting Life} ...  Welcome Patti!

Patti Milazzo

 

When I asked my family what their favorite holiday tradition was they unanimously said it was putting up the Christmas tree over the extended Thanksgiving weekend.  I have to say that I agree!  At our house it’s the official kick-off to the Christmas season.  Everyone is home, no other plans are made, we forgo any Black Friday shopping and instead opt to find our “perfect” Christmas tree that year.     

We take our time and put it up but don’t decorate right away.  I love waking up to the smell of fresh pine the next morning knowing that we’ll spend the day decorating the tree together.  It’s the most relaxing weekend where we don’t rush one bit.  And after a fall season of running around for various sports and extracurricular activities, it is soooo needed!

Egg Nog is poured and Christmas music or a favorite movie is usually playing in the background.  I’m a stickler for the Bells of St. Mary, but the kids are happy to sing along with any of the animated classics like Rudolph or Santa Claus is Coming to Town.  Once Joe and the kids have the lights strung, we start pulling out the ornaments.
   

 

We never fail to reminisce a bit over those special ones that hold memories and stories.  And they don’t seem to tire of that even though we tell the same tales every year.  There are ornaments from our first Christmas together (Joe and I), each babies’ first Christmas, handmade ornaments they’ve each made for us, ornaments gifted from friends and family and so many more.  Often we’ll add a few new ornaments that reflect what’s going on in our lives at the moment.  Some years I’ll add a few handmade ornaments too.  They all hold meaningful memories for us.

We finish the top of the tree with the angel that Joe and I have had since the first Christmas we were married.  Joe used to put one of the kids atop his shoulders to place it on the tree, but as the kids get older (10 and 15 now) and the tree seems to get taller over the years, that’s become quite a challenge!  And the final touch is my son’s favorite part, setting up the manger under the tree.  He so enjoys making it look just right.  My favorite moment is when it’s all done – the tree is lit and decorated and everyone sits around chatting and enjoying the warmth and glow.  We’re together, having fun and nothing could be better than that for me.

I am very glad that we’ve made this weekend a time for us to be together as a family without the crazy pressures life sometimes brings.  I’m looking forward to carrying on this tradition in the coming years as our family grows.  It’s a wonderful way for us to greet the season with excitement, anticipation and warmth and I hope it will be among my children’s favorite memories growing up.  I hope you too are enjoying your own traditions this holiday season and finding time to be with family and friends to carry on your most loved traditions and creating new ones together too.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you all!

Warm wishes,

Patti Milazzo

{Crafting Life} Blog

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Thank you Patti!  Tomorrow's guest is Hilde Stolk.