This is our treelet. From this angle, it looks like a small tree. But look at the top - there are two of them. This is really the end of two large fir branches from the fir tree up the hill from Bella's mooring. We put two flat branches on top of each other and sandwiched the twinkle lights in between. Elizabeth tied it all together with sparkly red bows which have turned into the ornaments. The white and gold wreath on top is made from ties which were around the Christmas Crackers at our Blue Haven Marina friends Christmas dinner last year. So already, this most recent part of our story is part of our Christmas tradition. It is all 'planted' in a vase tied to the wall behind so that it doesn't fall over in a lock (!). The animal standing in front of the tree is Hobbe - our Yulbok from Sweden. In Sweden, there is no Father Christmas, but the Christmas goat who delivers presents (why?). So when we were on holiday in Sweden, we were given a tiny version. Our large version, a present from many years ago, sits in storage for James or Jeffrey.
The US influence on our Christmas is Father Christmas, made in the US and given to Elizabeth, but really depicts the European traditions.
Then there is the Kenyan influence. When James arrived back from Kenya in June, he proudly displayed our early Christmas present - this stunning Nativity set. One picture is the three Wise Men waiting for their entry to the drama and the other picture is Angels (musicians!) and Shepherds. In a wonderful rush box awaits the manager with child. Mary (oddly enough, not dressed in blue with blond hair!) and Joseph await just outside. James met the crafter who created the set and we were all touched with his own story to create this timeless one. We have always balked at the European version of the nativity, wanting something a bit less sanitised and more, in our eyes, real. Not only is this set perfect for that wish of ours, but it is also beautifully narrowboat size. Such thanks to James. Now, just so you know why the set is not presently in one single tableau. Pete lives out the drama each year with whatever set we have. As the weeks of advent progress, he moves the characters closer as we both retell the story to each other. Sad (:-) and wonderful.
