I remember my first Christmas in USA was magical. I had never seen so much display of lights inside and outside the homes and had never seen so much stuff decorating the homes. I felt living in a Christmas fairy tale. At the beginning I questioned where people stored all that stuff, or if they threw it away to buy new things every year, if they gave it away, or even how many days took them to decorate so heavily. I realized very soon that homes in America are containers of stuff and Christmas decorations have their cozy places in the garage each in its own box.
Stores really got my attention, their visual displays were works of art to my eyes, not knowing all that production was intended to push sales. After all, in the Christian world we celebrate with lights to welcome a Newborn spiritual light coming into our world. However, after a few years in the country, this whole business of overly decorating Christmas became pavement to the point that now I only pay attention to extravagant displays in window shops, as theatrical expressions. Once in a while I drive through neighborhoods at night to enjoy the storyboards some homeowner create with their Christmas displays. Christmas to me is still a spiritual moment.
Having said that, you can just imagine by now how little I decorate my home. Through the years, I collected hand painted homes of Charles Dickens time that now fill a half wall I have in the kitchen, then I create vignettes with my displays and keep it simple, add lights where needed and use small items to add the flavor of Christmas. I am a practical person, putting up and taking down Christmas stuff doesn’t have to be more work for me. My efforts instead go towards exceptional food.
Enjoy the slide show of my vignettes.
Happy Christmas to all and if you don’t celebrate it, take time to reflect on your spirituality. Ciao,
Valentina
http://www.valentinadesigns.com
Copyright © 2014 Valentina Cirasola, All Rights Reserved
As a designer in business since 1990, I am interested in helping people designing their interior and exterior spaces to add an overall feeling of peace and relaxation. Find copies of my three books on
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Valentina Expressions 
Jun 01, 2018 @ 02:30:16
How are you
On Mon, Jan 19, 2015, 11:51 AM michael edmund henry wrote:
> So nice my friend, i wish for your always good health take care and miss > you > On Dec 19, 2014 4:18 AM, “Valentina Expressions” comment-reply@wordpress.com> wrote: > >> Valentina posted: “I remember my first Christmas in USA was magical. I >> had never seen so much display of lights inside and outside the homes and >> had never seen so much stuff decorating the homes. I felt living in a >> Christmas fairy tale. At the beginning I questioned where p” >>
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Jun 01, 2018 @ 02:54:39
I am fine, thank you for the visit. I hope everything is fine with you too.
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Jan 19, 2015 @ 03:51:09
So nice my friend, i wish for your always good health take care and miss you
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Jan 20, 2015 @ 01:39:08
Thank you for the note Michael. Happy New Year.
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Dec 18, 2014 @ 21:36:13
How beautiful and special, Valentina! Merry Christmas to you!
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Dec 21, 2014 @ 20:36:40
Amy, thank you so much. Merry Christmas to you and family.
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