A CHRISTMAS WISH

This would be the view from our front door.

This holiday, I have a Christmas wish, one whose fate will be revealed months from now. I posted earlier this year about wanting a home with a few, non-negotiable features. Since that post, BTG and I discovered a darling rambler, nestled within a diminutive forest, yet have delayed acting upon our desires. Fed up with abrasive conditions of our current locale, the bucolic charms of this gem with a mountain view beckons. Unfortunately the home is leased for six months as of a week ago. The sting from my own procrastination is palpable. I can already envision the large bay window lit from within, welcoming us home every evening. Thankfully, my inquiry was welcomed warmly and my wish for 2011, dear reader, is to have the honor to call this jewel ensconced within the trees home.

What is your Christmas wish?

Ancient Industries : Living + Extinct

This holiday when I found myself in want of a perfect gift for BTG’s mother, I happened upon Ancient Industries. It wasn’t my first visit; I had already swooned over their Bauer cat dishes and Redecker wooden scoops weeks prior. I settled on the Brown Betty Teapot, somewhat of a legend amongst tea enthusiasts, and the hand knitted tea cosy.

Everything progressed according to plan, except for a minor hiccup which delayed delivery of my packages past my date of departure. AI’s proprietor, Megan, swooped in on angel’s wings and not only ensured prompt delivery of the packages directly to BTG’s mother, but she also wrapped each gift in delightfully charming brown paper with red & white accoutrements. In a world where retailers tend to respond to matters of urgency with a simple shrug and mumbled “better luck next time", I was overwhelmed by Megan’s helpfulness and genuine concern regarding the incident. Aside from the stellar customer service, the teapot and cosy were absolutely perfect.

It wasn’t until I began to write this post that I revisited Ancient Industries and realized that their modus operandi is quite aligned with that of the Modern Traditionalist. If you are searching for an item that has a history, a story and a soul, Ancient Industries is your ideal destination.

Last Minute Children's Gifts

I’m sure BTG isn’t the only one who has delayed his gift purchases until the last possible moment. If you find yourself in want of a proper children’s gift, worry no longer. I happened upon the books pictured above at Anthropologie. They are reprints of Munro Leaf’s classics “How To Speak Politely And Why” and “Manners Can Be Fun”. Their lessons will provide a solid foundation in speaking and polite behavior for even the youngest child. They can also act as a reminder for adults who over the course of time may have let a few things slip.

Tradition: Christmas Gift Lists

The young Modern Traditionalist with Santa

Anybody who knows me well, knows I am the consummate list maker. I catalog everything from grocery items, weekend activities, suitcase contents, and my life plan for the next ten years. Conversely, I loathe compiling Christmas lists. Each time I’m asked to supply one, I cringe.

The habit of providing gift lists is instilled at an early age when, as children, we are instructed to complete a list for Santa. I certainly don’t recommend abolishing this tradition for young children; however, my opinion on gift giving outside of the realm of St. Nick has been established for many years. Simply put, if you do not know me well enough to select a gift you think I may adore, then don’t waste your money. With the exception of extreme financial hardship, asking a person to list what they need is rather gauche. The goal of gift giving is to surprise and delight. Nothing is lovelier than receiving an unsolicited item true to your character. The greatest gift is the knowledge that someone understands you, listens and cares enough to present you with an ideal representation of yourself. What greater compliment exists?

Holiday Traditions: The Conundrum

Now that the first day of December has officially passed, I must hunker down and commit myself to the art of holiday correspondence. I do not wish to incorrectly imply a burdensome sentiment when describing this ubiquitous holiday tradition; sending holiday greetings has always been a means of playing catch-up with distant friends and relations for a corporate gypsy such as myself. My stress lies in locating holiday cards which truly reflect my personality. Am I religiously conservative or festively non-denominational? Classic or contemporary? One thing is certain, I’m a Luddite in my unwavering belief that holiday correspondence should be delivered in the traditional written form and not digitally.

Today I will head off in search of the perfect demonstration(s) of The Modern Traditionalist in paper form. I’m keen on Habitually Chic’s idea of choosing a variety card types depending on the intended recipient. Not only does it provide a personalized solution, giving the receiver a sense that you chose that card especially for them, but it also avoids the monotony of seeing the same card displayed at holiday fête after holiday fête.

Perhaps next year I can commission Hollister Hovey to design the perfect card just for me!

Habitually Chic™: Holiday Traditions

Habitually Chic™: Holiday Traditions

No sooner do I start a blog about tradition and one of my favorite bloggers writes a post about Christmas traditions. I was cautious about starting such an endeavor during my busiest personal and professional season yet the holidays seems an apt genesis for a digital tome dedicated to formality, tradition, and etiquette.