2020 - The year we decorated Christmas early

I don’t know what words come to your mind when you think about the year 2020, but some of mine include not only blessings, but also frustration and disappointment.  It’s been a year of lockdowns, social distancing and at times flat out loneliness, so to say we need something beautiful in our lives is probably an understatement.  

Those of us that love to decorate our homes in holiday decor got a start early this year.  It was around August when people started putting up and showing off their Halloween displays.  It gave all of us something to do, something to talk about and something to look at other than the same bland walls we have seen since March and the beginning of the COVID crisis and being in lockdown.  Some people dressed their homes in haunts and spooks while others used whimsical displays of cats and pumpkins.  Those that are Rae Dunn or Johanna Parker collectors enjoyed the new beautiful colors and creations that were brought into our lives.  

What happened next though was quite the shocker, at least to me.  So many people skipped the fall and Thanksgiving decor right after Halloween and went straight for Christmas.  Christmas is beautiful and serene.  It makes us think of our childhood memories of opening presents and playing in the snow. So many people wanted to jump to that.  The beauty of the displays bringing out happiness and joy.  Another word that comes to mind is 'peace' and we all needed a bit a that! 

So where did Thanksgiving go?  Where were the fall colors and the different hues of orange, yellows and brown?  I didn’t skip it.  I stayed the course and decorated with my Rae Dunn Pumpkin Spice and Rae Dunn Gobble mugs.  I wanted to see, at least for a short time, my favorite colors floating through my home, but inspiration for Christmas was all around me.  All the white, red and green.  I had to suppress the urge to hurry and change!

 Christmas approached quickly.  I, too, started to decorate and take out the ornaments and boxes of decor so I can sprinkle in the idea that something nice is around the corner.  I would rather focus on the good rather than the rise of COVID cases and potentially more lock downs.  I would look at my friend’s displays and search Pinterest for all the new trends of snowmen and Santas while bringing out my vintage set.  I would bring out my new Johanna Parker Carnival Cottage whimsical snowmen amongst my Rae Dunn canisters and blend in with fake snow and bows and ribbons.  I would sing Eartha Kitt’s version of Santa Baby while I would pitter about and fill my home with happiness.  I would see how the new Johanna Parker Carnival Cottage Snowman Teapot and Retro Inspired Snowman and Santa mugs would fit in with my display and I would enjoy seeing the cute faces and sweet cheeks and darling smiles of the Johanna Parker Carnival Cottage characters.

I love Christmas time.  I know many of you do too.  I know that 2021 may be a repeat of 2020 and we are all looking forward to the new Christmas releases as well as the return of the Johanna Parker Nostalgic Santas and Snowmen.  We are also hoping for a return of some of the 2020 items that we missed.  But this year also brings Johanna Parker's Fall theme filled with scarecrows and critters!  I can't wait to see all the new displays and do hope we will see more of Fall before the reds and greens of Christmas return!

As always, we are here to help bring pizzazz to ALL of your holidays!  If you can't find what you are looking for, send us a note.  We'll do all we can to help!