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 Maria DiGiorgio is a devoted wife and mother, an educator and designer. Visit her Etsy shop: LaPetiteFleurbyMaria, for beautiful, one-of-a-kind, hand embellished floral picture frames. |
| The holidays are a time for celebration! Sharing faith, food and tradition with family and friends is the earmark of the season. This special time of year affords us an opportunity to reflect upon our personal, religious and communal convictions. We seek to be united with those we know and love, as well as with those we know are in need of love, care and generosity. Our hearts, homes, and tables overflow with an abundance of all things representative of love. It is a singularly unique occasion to marry the secular and the spiritual, through beautiful decorations, cherished family recipes, as well as traditions and practices reserved for this very wonderful time of year. The holidays provide us with an extended period of time in which to showcase our personal sense of style, our culinary prowess and our ability to incorporate the old with the new. Decorating at this time of year is not for the faint of heart, although you can enjoy the over-the-top adornments of others, while maintaining a more minimalist approach for yourself, if preferred. Stores like Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Pier 1 Imports, local florists and gift shops have a veritable treasure trove of beautiful and festive tableware, lighting, home décor and seasonal accents, all designed to enhance your home and holiday experience. One way to make your table extra special, is to break out your finest china and serving pieces of personal significance to your family (for example, Grandma’s casserole dish or Mom’s soup tureen). It doesn’t matter if they compliment each other aesthetically; the importance of blending meaning and memories is the object of desire, here. Fresh flowers or greenery, candles and holiday potpourri add additional beauty and flare. Here, too, you may wish to display these items in family heirloom vases, candlesticks or other vessels. Spending time selecting and executing favorite family recipes, as well as choosing objects of religious importance to display on your table, sideboard or anywhere else in your home, make the atmosphere more personal and meaningful. Home is where the heart is, and it may be more evident than ever during the holidays. Our homes are an extension of ourselves. They reflect the sentiments we embody and furnish us with a haven of love, honor and tradition, in which to commemorate the old and celebrate the new. This is the very essence of the holiday season, and in doing so, we pave the way for future generations to come. Happy Holidays! |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 