Today's Journal Your Christmas prompt encouraged reflection on the role of paper in Christmas traditions. As Shimelle note, when you think about it paper is everywhere in Christmas from wrapping paper and Christmas cards through paper garlands and other decorations. This was the first time I had been drawn to notice the connection between the beautiful papers I use to craft and all the beautiful papers that can be part of Christmas.
I, sadly, am not one of those that has great skill or fascination with fabulous package wrapping. Brent's mom makes gorgeous packages and I feel lucky to receive them. However, the paper story I remember most with Christmas, or any wrapping gift occasion is that of my Grandma Dotter. Grandma Dotter, as with most of her generation was indelibly marked by life in the great depression. Those marks would appear in odd places throughout her life. On the one hand she would make a ziplock bag last forever. On the other, she would buy fabulous jewelry and expensive scarves later in life as a Doctor's wife. I love her love for beauty and try to absorb some of the use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without mentality....to varying degrees of success.
She, more than anyone, was of the school that very carefully unwraps packages using a knife to cut the tape, and saving every piece folded carefully to be used year after year. This was hard for kids to handle, as it was a slow, careful process. Looking back though there was some charm in seeing paper repeated over the years. This paper care was a little thing, but an image of her, and to a lesser extent my Dad who tried this at times too. Small, but now very precious and warm in a Christmas season that neither of them is here to celebrate with us.
What are your "paper" memories?
Ps. Dec Daily is probably going to wait until Monday, but I am collecting the stories as we roll down e interstate this morning.
(Note: This will also appear as Day 12 in my December Daily).
I, sadly, am not one of those that has great skill or fascination with fabulous package wrapping. Brent's mom makes gorgeous packages and I feel lucky to receive them. However, the paper story I remember most with Christmas, or any wrapping gift occasion is that of my Grandma Dotter. Grandma Dotter, as with most of her generation was indelibly marked by life in the great depression. Those marks would appear in odd places throughout her life. On the one hand she would make a ziplock bag last forever. On the other, she would buy fabulous jewelry and expensive scarves later in life as a Doctor's wife. I love her love for beauty and try to absorb some of the use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without mentality....to varying degrees of success.
She, more than anyone, was of the school that very carefully unwraps packages using a knife to cut the tape, and saving every piece folded carefully to be used year after year. This was hard for kids to handle, as it was a slow, careful process. Looking back though there was some charm in seeing paper repeated over the years. This paper care was a little thing, but an image of her, and to a lesser extent my Dad who tried this at times too. Small, but now very precious and warm in a Christmas season that neither of them is here to celebrate with us.
What are your "paper" memories?
Ps. Dec Daily is probably going to wait until Monday, but I am collecting the stories as we roll down e interstate this morning.
(Note: This will also appear as Day 12 in my December Daily).
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