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Original Home Magazine
Holiday Special 2013
Almost Free Decor
Decorations of Ice • Collectibles
Vintage Christmas Ornaments • Do It Yourself
Orange and Clove Pomanders • In the Details
Create Atmosphere with 12 Days of Music
How to Decorate a Christmas Mantel - Even If You Don’t Actually Own One!
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! H O Editor Ngaire Genge Acquisitions Manager Lorna Hamilton Advertising Elaine Sainsbury Tap here to reach us! originalhomemagazine @gmail.com
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Table of Contents • • • Tap any title to read! • • •
Holiday Editorial
A Christmas To Delight All Your Senses! A Scent-sational Fragrant Christmas Traditional Orange-Clove Pomanders A Contemporary Orange-Clove Garland Naturally Fragrant Wreaths
A Joyful Noise The 12 Albums of Christmas
A Feast for the Eyes A 100 Years of Collectible Vintage Ornaments Decorating the Mantel - Even When You Don’t Have One
Warming Winter Nights Let Ice Warm Your Home! Ways to Warm Your Home This Winter Five Warm Winter Drinks
A Little Taste of Christmas Our Cover this Issue: Vintage Madonna & Child Ornament MK74 - Dreamstime.com
Festive Desserts to Share
TO
Welcome
ORIGINAL HOME Magazine T
he song “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” remains one of my favourites. When Bing Crosby first recorded it in 1943, it touched the heart of nations in the depth of war, of those at home and of soldiers who could only dream of Christmas at the family home. More than two decades later, astronauts Frank Borman and Jim Lovall, aboard Gemini VII in December of 1965, asked the NASA ground crew to play it for them too. It remains the most-requested carol ever on college radio stations. “Home” is a feeling as much as it is a place. At no time is that more evident than at Christmas. “Home” comes in many guises. At various times, I’ve called graceful Victorians, the tiny third room in a student apartment, someone else’s basement, and even a borrowed travel trailer “home.” The grandeaur - or its lack - had little to do with the fondness with which I remember those spaces. I’ve felt safer with less, been left cold by more. That sense of relief and contentment that leaves you smiling on your way “home” - even from a great vacation in some exotic locale! - is, I think, universal. Christmas memories resonate with us for good reason, touching as they do on all our senses. The scent of a real tree, the stuffing made from a tattered recipe card, and the cinnamon in the apple pie instantly transport us to earlier times. The glimmer of Christmas lights, candles, and firelight - even if it’s the fireplace channel! - illuminate our holiday memories. Family ornaments, that tablecloth we only bring out for special
occasions, the feel of ribbons and bows, they all delight our fingers as well as our eyes. And, of course, the sound of carols, the laughter of children, and that squeal of delight when the door opens on another friend we haven’t seen in ages, that just makes the sensory scene complete. While the necessities of life, jobs, education - and, yes, still more service overseas - means many families can’t be together at “home” this year, we hope this edition can help bring a little “home” to you - or start some new traditions wherever you may be. We’ve gathered together some of our favourite scents, tastes, sights even sounds! We have recipes for the whole bunch, or for just one special cup sipped while slowly flipping through the old photo albums. You’ll find projects and ideas to make your home more welcoming, more enjoyable. Whether your home is large enough to accommodate the whole family at once, or as small as, well, a single stable stall, we’ll help you decorate them all, personally, economically, and memorably. We hope you enjoy this free issue, our gift to our readers, along with our most sincere hope that the season brings you peace and health and joy. Merry Christmas!
! H O
Ngaire Genge
We welcome your suggestions - drop us a line at OriginalHomeMagazine@gmail.com
KEEP THE HOLIDAYS FRESH! Welcome Guests with Lush Scents S
Rekindle holiday memories throughout the year with a lovely bay wreath. Make one with edible bay, hang it in your kitchen after the holidays, and pluck a few leaves to enliven your savory dishes until the next holiday - if it lasts that long! Mong Saetern shows you how to easily create your wreath for the holidays or all year round.
cents trigger our deepest memories, evoking vivid images and bringing warm feelings of comfort and nostalgia. Modern commercial decorations create treats for the eye, but, you can add layers of wonderful, natural tastes and aromas to your home this season - even if you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bake! Every visitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience begins at the same place, your front door. Imagine their pleasure at being wrapped in the scents of the season - bay, pine, even holly - right on the theshold to your home. It can happen with a wreath of natural greenery, dried berries, or fresh herbs. Once inside, a new spectrum of scents - and tastes! opens up. Ornaments of orange and cloves, strings of dried cranberries, cinammon sticks and oven-dried apple slices delight the nose and whet the appetite for the great meals yet to come. Three creative designers show us how to tickle all our senses with holiday projects: A great traditional orange-clove pomander by Alec Holland. A new take on the traditional with a beautiful orange-clove ornamental swag by Julia. Mong Saetern and Gina Cheltham combine to show us how to create natural wreaths with wonderful, natural scents!
Delightful orange ornaments can add seasonal scents to your guest rooms or be unique hostess gifts! A totally-contemporary take on the orange-clove fragrance theme, these oh-sosweet citrus snowflakes make incredible garland!
Orange & Clove Pomanders A How-To from Alec Holland
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lec Holland, designer of both lush Hollywood sets and casual country retreats, believes creating great spaces - and memories - means engaging as many senses as possible, and sharing that experience with great company. “We like our holiday decor to touch all five senses and orange and clove pomanders do just that. Well, except sound. They don't make a sound. And you don't eat them. Okay, well the sweet scent permeating the house, the elegant visual of the classic decoration, and the fact that they feel cool when you hold them... there's three out of five,” says Holland. They’re also inexpensive and “really easy to make.” One caveat, says Holland, “We’d be lying if
we didn’t say it hurts to push those pointy cloves into the orange, so we wrap a little masking tape around the tips of our fingers to act like a thimble of sorts.” You could, of course, use an actual thimble if you have one. “Pre-puncture the design you want in the orange with a toothpick or nail or such - before inserting the clove,” he advises. “You can do any design, though the more cloves on the orange, the stronger the smell. You can use a rubber band or tape on the orange to create a straight line to follow, or just free-form it - whatever it takes to get ‘er done.” The holidays are meant to bring people together, and this is a project Holland enjoys with guests. “We think a nice idea
What You’ll Need to Make Pomanders 1. Oranges - Good, large unflawed ones 2. Whole cloves 3. Rubber band or tape 4. Gloves, thimble, or masking tape to protect your fingers 5. Ribbon - if you want to hang them Optionally, if you want to preserve them: 6. Orris root powder OR 7. Sandalwood oil You don’t need both, unless you want them.
Orange & Clove Pomanders is to put out a big bowl of oranges and a little dish of the cloves on your coffee table. That way, people can make their own pomander, while watching TV or while sitting around drinking their winter-time Nescafe®. Place the finished pomanders all over the house for that perfect holiday touch.” You can make that scent last if you’d like, or keep it special by restricting it to just the holidays. “While we love these for the winter months, in truth, the clove is not a scent that we dig year round, so we toss out our pomanders after the holidays,” says Holland. “What we are making are just for show (And smell! And touch!) Ours will get tossed after a few weeks. If you want to keep these forever - or at least a year or two - you must
dry-cure them first.” Fortunately, that’s not a difficult or expensive process. “If you want to dry out your pomanders so they’ll keep longer, roll your finished pomanders in orris root or a few drops of sandalwood oil, then place in a paper bag and let sit in a cool, dry place for a few weeks until the pomanders dry out,” he says. “They will feel hollow when they’re done.” While giving artificiallyscented gifts is always a bit risky, oranges, cloves, orris root, and sandalwood provide rich natural aromas that are unlikely to irritate those with scent sensitivities so they make wonderful gifts for guests to take away, or to share as hostess gifts with those you’ll visit over the holidays! • Ngaire Genge All photographs courtesy of Alec Holland
Designer Alec Holland’s philosophy is simple:
“Every home should be beautiful - and beauty has nothing to do with cost.”
Tap his photo for an interview with Laura Ingle of FoxNews about these pomanders and other economically beautiful projects! Tap to visit Alec Holland’s website, SmarterAlec!
Scent-sational Christmas Garland! A s Christmas approaches, artist Julia creates gorgeous tree ornaments and a garland which is a truly original take on a well-loved classic. Perfect for traditional or contemporary spaces, this project brightens your tree, a mantel, or your doorway. You’ll want to gather with friends and family to make a mile or so of this one while you share a cocoa and catch up on the year just past!
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his is one more quick DIY for you. It’s inspired by the traditional orange and clove pomanders. It can be done in a few minutes and helps to spread Christmas feeling in your home. All you need is an orange, some cloves, and a small cookie cutter. I used a snowflake, but any seasonal shape - star or reindeer? - can be used. 1. Carefully peel orange and press peel flat. 2. Punch out your snowflakes (or other shape). It works best with
the white side on top. 3. Spike orange snowflakes with cloves. That’s it! If you want, you can bead some of the orange ornaments on a string and hang them on your windows, for example, or make a whole garland for your Christmas tree! The little ornaments just look cute and the perfume of Christmas will diffuse through your home.” • Julia!
Julia blogs about her passions - handcrafting, food, friends and family from a small town in southern Germany. Her most recent passion, photography, is a growing part of her online presence and is an additional focus to her creative works.
Tap to visit Julia’s website, nadelundgabel!
Fragrant Festive Wreaths: Make a Great First Impression!
Make a Wreath With Mong!
Mong Saetern shows how easy it is to utilize your tree trimmings for beautiful, fragrant, natural wreathes to adorn your home this holiday season! Just tap the icon. Project by Mong Saetern Video by David John - Aped Aperture
E
ver wonder what “resting on your laurels” means? If comes from the Greek tradition of giving laurel wreathes to those making special achievements or victories. To “rest on your laurels” was to depend on previous efforts to carry you through future events. Wreaths continue to mark special things and places and are surprisingly easy to make.
Photo: TACLUDA - RGB Stock
Arborist Gina Chelton says, “It is actually hard to go wrong with greenery for fragrant wreaths, so no one should be intimidated!” Things she suggests would be great wreath making material? “Anything you would trim off your own tree is a good place to start,” she says. “Obviously, you wouldn’t bring a tree that smells bad into your home, so, all those popular firs will give your wreath that ‘Christmas season’ smell. It’s a very economical way to create a wreath! If you aren’t having a real tree, stop by a tree lot and just ask if you could have some of the fallen material for a
reasonable price.” Fraser and Douglas firs are popular tree stock, and Nobel fir is a great choice “for its lush, dense needles.” She also favours cedar “because they not only smell wonderful, but, they also have awesome texture. The “needles” lie flat too, which can be really helpful in putting together a wreath.” Gina is not a fan of pine for wreaths. “It’s partly because some pines do smell sort of funny, and, if you’re looking for twigs outside, along the roadway or something, you may bring them home and not realize until you’re inside that they smell... funky.” Pine from Christmas trees or tree farms are fine, of course, and do add an interesting texture to a larger wreath. “Yes, scale is important,” agrees Gina. “If you have these sort of big, bottle-brush, pine twigs, you’ll want to use them on a big wreath.” Boxwood isn’t as fragrant, she notes, “But, in a smaller area, like a more enclosed porch, or
What You’ll Need to Make Natural, Fragrant Wreaths 1. Wire wreath ring 2. Tree trimmings and fragrant greenery 3. Wire
4. Wire cutters 5. Branch cutters 6. Optionally, fake or real berries, ribbon, ornaments
Different greenery provides different textures - from spike-y to shaggy - as well as smells. Bare Eucalyptus, six-herb , Fraser fir and cedar, and bay wreaths illustrate that variety and beauty. inside, it is very pleasant.” She also loves its appearance. “It has small leaves that are almost curly, with this incredible shine,” she notes. “It’s less common though, so nab some if you have the opportunity! For fragrant wreaths, Chelton has some special additions she likes to employ. “There is nothing like a bay - also called laurel - wreath,” she says. “It just wraps your porch in wonderful scents. If you have to pick just one type of greenery, make it bay! And, if you choose edible varieties, well, you can just hang an extra one in the kitchen and use it up in all your savory holiday meals!” Gina’s other frequent choice? “Eucalyptus. Again, it has a very attractive smell, and a distinct visual appearance as well. You can bend it into circles, leave it stiff and use it at the top of a wreath as a sort of ‘natural bow,’ sticking off in both directions, or cut it into shorter pieces to mix with your other greenery.” For real fragrant punch, however, she turns to her herb garden. “These plants are grown for their scent as well
as their taste,” she says. “Is there anything better than coming in to a home full of the scents of savory, or basil, or a mix like dill and chives and rosemary and sage and... well, almost any herb!” A popular gift to foodies is an “herb wreath” which can be displayed through the holiday season and then moved to the kitchen later, bringing the wonderful scents indoors. “When working with really fragrant plants, you’ll want to use your sniffer a lot,” says Chelton. “While I have yet to meet many herb or greenery smells I dislike, a bunch together can be overpowering. So, if you’re not sure, or want to mix a lot of things, just let them sit together in a small room - an inside porch is great - and walk away for an hour or so. If you like what you smell when you come back in, go for it!” Another great advantage of natural greenery this season? “Well, you’ll likely have lots of visitors. If you have man-made scents like air fresheners, people may be allergic to those type of things. Very few people are bothered by natural herbs or leaves!” • Ngaire Genge
Mong Saetern is a researcher in the biotech world who keeps herself busy with many relaxing hobbies. She enjoys making DIY decorations for her home, tending to her organic garden, and shopping to dress her petite body frame. To see how she styles herself and her garden, visit her at www.petitetomatoes.com. David John is a producer-videographer with Aped Aperture.
Tap to visit Mong Saetern’s website, Petite Tomatoes!
Tap to visit David John’s website, Aped Aperture!
Photo: MediaStock - RGB Stock
Make a Joyful Noise! 12 Albums for Christmas Fill your home with music for all ages this Christmas!
If
scents are our earliest memories, then music must be a close second. Certainly no Christmas season is complete without a little “White Christmas,” which has topped the holiday charts every year since its introduction usually by more than one artist each year!
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With headphone wires trailing inside almost every new Christmas sweater, music has never been as personal a statement as it is today. Your playlist, and who you share it with? Right up there with your fingerprints for personal. Whether at church, at the office party, or around the family table, however, there will be lots of occasions to share music once again. Stock up your device with tracks from these twelve albums and you’ll find something for almost everyone. Load them all up, hit “random,” and you’ll be free to circulate during even the longest holiday event!
Why not start with a winner? Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” released in 1949, is just one of an even dozen memorable songs on the album of the same name. Try the tonguetwisting “Mele Kalikimaka,” if you’d rather imagine Christmas at the beach, or “Christmas in Kilarney,” for those whose green Christmas needs a touch of the Irish. For many, Crosby’s voice is the sound of the Christmas season. A mix of secular and religous, with moments both thoughtful and peppy, this is the perfect album if you don’t mind the guests breaking into spontaneous sing-alongs.
If Bing is the go-to guy for traditional Christmas, then Boney M is the group to put a pop twist on those tunes. With their unique styling - Caribbean rhythm rolled up in 1970s disco - they revitalized many carols on the Christmas with Boney M album. Upbeat carols, like “Mary’s Boy Child” and “Zion’s Daughter,” not only made them favourites of a younger generation, but made carols danceable! Haunting numbers such as “Darkness is Falling” provide a different mood and rhythm. Boney M’s version of “Auld Lang Syne” remains the mostrequested of its era, still highly popular
Tap any album cover to sample the songs!
Holiday Harmony: 12 Albums of Christmas
4 3 in ours. This is definitely not an album where you simply slip from one song to the next. Decades after the original recording, all nineteen songs of the album remain distinct, engaging, and entertaining.
pop, contemporary, and folk. It’s just Anne Murrary, finding the heart of every song she performs, making them all sound new. There’s a narrative quality to Murray’s performances, like she’s telling you a story - whether of joy or sorrow - for the very first time. Listen to Murray’s “Oh, Holy Night” and you could believe a friend - an incredibly talented friend - was telling you what she saw last night, with joy and wonder, while her “Blue Christmas” is a heartbreaking appeal. A career of forty years has only strengthened a well-exercised voice, A confessed romantic, crooner Michael Buble brings something special refining it to the essentials, letting it to the season with Christmas: romance. laugh through “Winter Wonderland,” Second only to Valentine’s Day flirt though a duet with Michael Buble, and belt out “Go, Tell It on the for engagement announcements, the holidays aren’t just for children. Mountain” in best blues style. Mary J. Blige took ten years to This one is a keeper for music “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” put out her first Christmas album, A “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “Blue lovers of all kinds. Mary Christmas. It shows. It was worth Christmas,” “Cold December Night,” it! A rich voice, an ease with complex and a personalized version of “Santa arrangements, and roots solidly planted Baby” acknowledge how difficult the in a decade of R&B excellence combine season can be for families and lovers with a strong list to create an album forced to spend it apart - and the joy completely satisfying. of being with the ones you love at Opening with “Little Drummer Christmas. Boy” would, for most artists, be a sure The rest of the tracks split evenly way to put listeners to sleep. Blige’s between traditional carols and pop version soars. Cascades of notes give an favourites, all with a real orchestra often-dry tune texture and depth. And backing up some serious vocal chops. that’s just for starters. “Mary, Did You Your guests will love it, but snag this Know” and “When You Wish Upon a one for that holiday evening with Star,” with Barbra Streisand, continue If Murray is eclectic, Randy someone special. the rich experience. Even “Rudolph, Travis is as comfortable with his The Red-nosed Reindeer” gets the big country roots as he is in his oldest treatment, arranged in big band style boots. An Old Time Christmas delivers and taking full advantage of an even on its promise, in spades. bigger voice. Starting with song selection In a market full of Christmas real country Christmas tunes like the albums best described as title song, “White Christmas Makes “interchangeable,” Blige’s is absolutely Me Blue,” and “Pretty Paper” - and memorable. Put this one on and all following up with a sure, unhurried your guests will want to know who’s delivery, Travis’s album showcases Christmas from a decidedly country viewpoint. “How Do I Wrap My Heart Up Attempts to pigeon-hole Anne For Christmas” was written specifically Murray’s style invariably fail. She owns for this album, but, while technically a star on almost every walk of fame new, it’s theme is classic country. there is, yet, sit down with this album Eschewing the classic “Silent Night,” he and there’s no line between country, instead embraces a country boy, alone,
Tap any album cover to sample the songs!
entertaining them.
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Holiday Harmony: 12 Albums of Christmas in “Oh, What a Silent Night.” This isn’t a playlist you’ll find on other Christmas collections. Travis has done lots of albums since this one in 1989, including a second Christmas album, but, for an immersion in a country Christmas, you’ll find this one pretty special.
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Kenny G’s Miracles: The Holiday Album has gone 8x Platinum since its release nearly a decade ago, and still sets the mark for a holiday album in any category! As an instrumental album, it excels at invoking a range of emotion. A spritely arrangement of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” manages to sit happily beside a version of “Miracles” that holds listeners start to finish with its deep, complex sound. A timeless collection of songs, beautifully arranged, and flawlessly performed, Miracles remains a solid addition to your holiday music library. For those moments when the music is all you want or need.
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It seems every Christmas needs a good novelty album to round out the
musical season - we’ll recommend two! Alvin and the Chipmunks race to the top of the holiday charts almost every year, suprisingly requested as often by adults as the kiddie set - which explains their trip to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles chart with “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late) as well as three Grammy Awards! The staying power of those squeaky carols - The Chipmunk Song was first released in 1981! - makes Alvin & The Chipmunks: A Chipmunk Christmas a great bet for any events including young people - and those older folk who can’t helping grinning nostalgically while they play. Put these eighteen tunes on in the rec room and the kids will be singing and dancing right to the end.
This year’s unexpected entry into the Christmas album arena, Duck Dynasty’s Robertson family and guests, strikes the perfect novelty balance of funny takes and surprisingly-good renditions of classic carols. “Hairy Christmas” and the titular “Duck the Halls” will delight fans of the show and Uncle Si’s Grinch will leave anyone rolling, while the dynasty’s version of “Silent Night” remains perfectly credible right down to its kiddie-choir-and-family moments. Missy Robertson’s sweet soprano is another surprising standout, making their take on “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” memorable. Fifteen tracks, all entertaining. Even if you’re not into duck calls.
With time short during the holiday season, the ability to drop 167 quality Christmas songs into your library - entertainment for the entire season in a single download - certainly appeals. When the artists are the likes of Elvis Presley, Nat “King” Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Cluney, Perry Como, Peggy Lee, Doris Day, Patti Page, Judy Garland, and more, all performing time-tested arrangements of the most popular songs, well, you’re sure to please any crowd. The Greatest Christmas Hits Ever Made is not only a time-saver, it’s good value too. At $34.99 for the 167 tracks, you’re getting those great voices for just 21 cents per song - which leaves you more pennies to spend on something else this year!
W hat’s personal? In a recent survey, women’s top five most personal gifts were:
Lingerie Perfume Music Jewelry Books
Holiday Harmony: 12 Albums of Christmas
11 12 If The Greatest Christmas Hits Ever Made is skewing a little “mom and dad’s generation” -or “grandma and grandpa’s generation!” - for you, rounding up this trio of Christmas albums should appeal to the younger set. With a great chorus of voices that also stand up individually, and a “Gleeful” arrangement, Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album (all three of them) is another set that can carry
you easily through your entire big family do! You’ll find updated versions of traditional tunes like “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and contemporary entries like “Christmas Eve With You.” The advantage of a chorus, especially this chorus, is the ability to match a voice to the mood and style of almost every melody - even the Grinch song. Few of the 30+ songs are
Bonus originals, but, they are solidly arranged, and one of the few opportunities to hear choral music performed by talented young singers who like to dip their toes in a lot of stylistic pools. For fans of the show, it’s a collection of well-loved voices; for everyone else, it’s still a pleasant way to kick back for an evening and relax into the season. Make memories with music this Christmas.
Tap any album cover to sample the songs! Original Home Magazine test drives dozens of products and services every month. Some we love and some we loathe. We always love good value. Drop by our website to find our recommendations on everything from luxury chocolate to great reads to funky kitchen gear!
Vintage Ornaments: A Feast for the Eyes W
hether it starts with a trip to the woods, the tree yard, or the attic for the Pinus plasticus - or with deciding to decorate something as unique as your antique mannequin instead, setting up the bare “tree,” ready to receive its mantle of lights, swags and ornaments remains the official start of the Christmas season. In our household, Dad wrangled lights, Mom was queen of “icicles’ - those individual glittering strands that turned into a snarled mass in anyone else’s hands, while the wee ones were handed the indestructible plastic balls to hang on the very bottom branches. All that was just the holiday infrastructure, though, the must-do-before-the-fun-begins stuff. The heart of the tree - the ornaments! remained to be released from billows of tissue paper and individual nests in carefully preserved original packaging. As each one emerged, so did the story behind it. “Poppy brought this one back to Nanny from England - they tied them up with string then because all the wire hangers were melted for the war.” “Oh! Look, this little apple is the first ornament I bought your Mom, ‘cause she was the ‘apple of my eye!’” “Careful with the car! That’s the only 1967 Ford Mustang GT I’m gonna own!” Then came the ornaments with our names, given to us in cards every year by a favourite aunt. These we could hang ourselves because she thoughtfully sent us ornaments of shiny, unbreakable brass. Finally, the feathered birds, just three of them, were attached to the high branches by the
Photo: Mei Teng - RGB Stock
Vintage Ornaments: A Feast for the Eyes
Photo: Michael Genge
bendy wire sticking out their feet. “Gentle, gentle! They’re old!” It’s not an antique, or valuable, but, one of those birds still sits on my tree - wire feet intact! - and is still the very last one placed, the one whose appearance from its individual cocoon announces, “This tree is done!” In the forty or so years since I was first allowed to add it to the tree, literally hundreds of ornaments joined it on my tree. Ornaments bought on family trips, to celebrate the birth of my own children, exchanged with co-workers, marking the addition of newly minted in-laws, or purchased just because they were “perfect for....” make it rather hard to find the tree today! Most families have special baubles, but, for others, it’s a collection they live with year-round, a gleaming array of history, culture, and art. Morry Thompson hasn’t counted his ornaments this year, but, at last count, there were a “little over 10,000 danglers, about a thousand more that sit atop branches - including ones meant to hold candles, and, of course, there’s the tree toppers, glass bead garland- and vintage lights.” His home, admittedly bought “because it has great spots for trees,” is a sprawling Victorian with lots of bay windows - all fitted with the best UVblocking glass available. “I hated putting them away after the holidays, so, I stopped. I keep
the most delicate ones out of the light altogether, but the UV glass lets me enjoy the play of light on the others. Wife Amelia likes the trees, “as long as he does the dusting!” It’s not a small job. “We have nine trees up yearround. That includes two small Victorian feather trees,” he says. “I have ornaments from all periods, but, generally, I like the older ones best, so, it sort of fits the era of the house as well.” What draws him to ornaments in particular? “A lot of things. First, of course, is the association. My Dad made ornaments for us every year. There was so much detail, he made me really look at them. Older ornaments are handmade. Hand-blown glass, handpainted finishes, hand-carved figures, and, in the case of the Dresdens, hand-assembled - a little cottage industry! So, in a very real sense, they are art, on a very small scale.” That manageable size was another factor in his collecting habit. “I think Amelia would balk at a thousand paintings, or vases, or tea cups, much less 10,000 of them - even if I did the dusting,” he laughs. “There’s a finite amount of space in any home, I can just about manage this without feeling overwhelmed.” While trees occupy all three floors, it’s not a forest. “There’s only a single tree visible from most places,” he says. “You’d
have to get into some queer corners to see more than one at a time. And, the ornaments are grouped by type, so, they’re more uniform, less chaotic than a typical family tree.” To avoid drowning in a collection, Morry has simple advice, “Find one style or period of ornament that most appeals and stick to it - if you can.” Morry doesn’t have much personal discipline. His collection “sprawls” into what he calls “pre-tree ornaments.” “Wherever there were glassmakers, or carvers, you likely find ornaments, they weren’t all made for Christmas tree ornaments,” he says. “Miniatures are popular with all kinds of artists, some of them were later hung on trees. There’s “end of days” glass pieces made from leftover scraps, little dodahs kept because they were pretty and, eventually, ending up on windowsills - or trees - because there’s light in those places and glass and light go naturally together.” For real tree ornaments, he says you have to start in Christmas tree places, namely Germany and nearby regions. “The tree was a German thing really, and, when Prince Albert married Queen Victoria, it ‘went viral’ in England, and the Empire! Lots of things were added to early trees, including flowers, which don’t survive, and birds’ nests and other natural elements, which weren’t
Vintage Ornaments: A Feast for the Eyes
Past and present kugel ornaments, silvered on the interior, all gleam in the light of the Christmas tree, but, the cost to achieve the classic effect varies considerably, depending on age, size, condition, and colour. Amethyst, for example, generally brings higher prices than amber. The modern group of five green grape ornaments above - each one measuring 11” top to tip - sold for just $US 20 at Live Auctions. An authentic antique like this 4” amber clump of grapes, at right, however, recently sold at auction on eBay for over $US 650.
usually kept for the next year. “If you’re a serious collector, you need to be careful “Cookies were popular, and candy, which, of course, about reproductions,” notes Morry. “However, if you’re disappeared in short order,” he says. “As did fruit, which decorating a contemporary tree with contemporary was very special and rare in winter.” ornaments, reproduction glass ornaments continue to be He sees it as “almost inevitable” beautiful additions, especially when a Germany would produce the first glass tree is lit and they all glow.” ornaments designed specifically for The trappings of candle-lit trees are also trees. collectable. “You had the tree tradition, the “It’s a bit of a modern myth, the artisans already making incredible glass notion that trees were lit up throughout products, and a cottage industry to the holidays,” says Morry. “Very support it,” he says. “Lauscha calls itself romantic, but, expensive, dangerous, the birthplace of Christmas ornaments, and probably not true. Most accounts the glass ones, and that’s probably of the time suggest trees were lit very pretty accurate.” briefly. Still, the holders, especially Kugels, heavy coloured glass the glass ones, are pretty in their own pieces, typically from Germany, which right and can still hold candles - I just began in clear colours and were later wouldn’t recommend lighting them!” silvered on the interior, didn’t start as Spun cotton and cloth ornaments tree ornaments. Some as big as 30” developed quite early as well. across, were hung at ceiling height, in “Variety was key with those windows, and atop stakes in gardens, materials,” notes Morry. “Animals, the classic “witch ball,” believed to keep people, anything was possible, and away evil. Balls, or spheres, remained the handmade nature of them again Treats like this “sugar man” were popular common, but shaped pieces of all types, worked well in the pre-factory, cottage early “ornaments” for trees. They including all sorts of fruit, proved very industry setting. The availability of raw disappeared pretty quickly! popular. cotton and cotton cloth in America Photo: SalsaChia - RGB Stock Spanning from the 1880s, when made cotton ornaments cost-effective American firms began to import for companies and crafters alike.” them from Europe, glass ornaments, kugels, remained in Paper proved popular in American decorations production and wide-spread right up until today. of the early period as well, mostly simple cut outs from
Vintage Ornaments: A Feast for the Eyes
Photo: Dave Rumsey
Photo: Boriss Sokolov
Dresden ornaments, delicate paper survivors, remain glittering additions to any tree. Rare antiques can command high prices. The centre ornament, a large, complicated, many-part ornament that was also a candy container, in excellent condition including the drawstring candy bag and the “dresden trim” paper around the base of the neck, recently sold for over $US1250 . The beautiful 7” sun ornament, equally rare, but a little less complicated and less three-dimensional, brought a price just over $US 800. Not all of these shimmery delights are out of range for the average budget, however! The delightful stag on the right, for example, is an authentic Russian antique - catalogued in several guides - that remains available for about $US 20. Modern day Dresdens are also being made. Tap the icon to see a variety of these pieces of early Christmas tree history.
printed sources, or cut shapes. A very particular form of paper decoration, however, the Dresdens, from, as the name implies, the Dresden region, were also on the rise as favourite pieces for the tree. “Dresdens came in almost any form you could imagine,” says Morry, who has, not surprisingly, a tree dedicated to them, though not a huge one by any means.
“Paper is delicate, making them rarer as time goes by, and the hey-deyfor these lovelies was over a hundred years ago, 1890-1920, so, they are actual antiques now. It’s amazing that ornaments that started as damp cardboard remain available at all.” notes Morry. “The fact they were so beautifully made, with deeply embossed details, hand-painting, and gilding and silvering, and all
assembled by hand, made them very special then - and now.” Some of the early Dresdens, made of many pieces, were intended as hanging candy containers. These larger, three-dimensional pieces, with many intricate parts and handpainting, command premium prices, but, not all are out of reach. “Dresdens also came in ‘flats,’ one-dimensional pieces, and most
Dresden trims and “scrap,” the embossed cardboard used by Victorian scrapbookers, were incorporated into homemade Christmas ornaments. The pretty lady at the left is a piece of “scrap,” spun cotton, and vintage tinsel while the rabbit and chick ornaments are Dresden “flats” pasted to a spun glass backing. Authentic scrap and Dresden wings like these are available from antique dealers who curate paper and ephemera of the Victorian era, or, you can purchase modern reproductions of all these materials for just a few dollars in craft shops catering to contemporary scrapbookers.
Vintage Ornaments: A Feast for the Eyes
Photo: DYET - RGB Stock
were small, just a couple of inches, more red in America, celluloid’s so, these are less expensive to collect ability to recreate that brighter image today. I’ve seen very pretty flat birds, made it a great match from a visual for example, for less than $20.” As with most old, beautiful, and rare things, there are also modern replicas. “Most new pieces have modern identification, perfect to add to your tree and start contemporary collections,” says Morry. “If collecting vintage ornaments, though, at hundreds of dollars per item on the low end, you need to know your market and find trustworthy dealers.” Celluloid enjoyed a relatively brief but colourful period in toy and ornament production. “Celluloid, as it is known today, originally duplicated natural materials like ivory, shell, and woods. It was sometimes marketed as Ivorine or French Ivory,” says Morry. “It was also used in film, which helps explain it’s short history in ornaments and toys. It was made, in large part. of camphor, which is highly flammable. Film in early theatres often caught fire from the heat of the lamps. Obviously, also a problem for ornaments on trees with bulbs, never mind candles.” A celluloid Santa of the 1930s, by Irwin The advantage of celluloid also the toy company - took advantage ornaments, however, was their ability of the brilliant reds and and multitude of to be blown like glass, into any shape, blown shapes possible with this short-lived and to be made in brilliant colours. material. Unfortunately, its flamability “As Santa became more and made it less than ideal.
standpoint,” says Morry. “However, celluloid breaks down fairly quickly, easily, if not cared for, so, it’s difficult for collectors. Oddly, the big use for celluloid today is ping-pong balls, which have no colour, and guitar picks, precisely because it deforms so easily.” History is reflected in little things, including Christmas ornaments. The Second World War, which restricted the availability of some traditional ornament materials, and the political restrictions that interrupted trade with Germany, had long-lasting effects on Christmas ornaments in the United States. “Metal was simply unavailable,” says Morry. “There was none to ‘waste’ on silvering or gilding ornaments, or making tinsel, or caps and hooks for hanging them. The 1940s and 1950s also saw new materials, like plastics and aluminum - remember aluminum trees? - become readily, cheaply, available.” In the United States, “ribbon glass,” which was available for the electric light bulb, made mechanized ornament production possible. They would be decorated with plain paint or left clear. Later, plastic products from Japan would create not just ornaments, but, illuminated figures and other new items. “You can tell the glass
Vintage Ornaments: A Feast for the Eyes
Glass ornaments are the “painted pretties” of the ornament world. Originally, they were handblown and handpainted - and some, very special ones are today as well. Glass ornaments, with more than a century-long tradition, have represented every imaginable subject and remain brilliant additions to any tree. The 5.5” soldier ornament on the left dates back to 1900 and recently sold for just over $US 400. The centre ornament is a modern period piece in the very collectable Radko line entitled “Celebrate Adoption.” It was released in 2002 and realized a price a smidgeon under $US 200 in 2013. On the right is a glass ornament available this year at slightly under $US 20. There really is a price point for all collectors! Tap the icons to browse more colourful glass offerings! Photos courtesy of Susan Tario, Tricia Cosgrove, and Paula Petty-Jones
ornaments of mass production because, like light bulbs, there are no mold marks, or seams, or ‘dimples’ in the glass.” Adds Morry, “At first, it was almost all spheres that were produced, but, that changed fairly quickly. The ‘mid-century modern’ period, my childhood, along with most boomers, had a new rush of different kinds of ornaments. If you’re my age, and want to collect the things you remember, you have a huge amount of choice.” Morry does have one tree even he considers “a bit unusual.” “In Russia, Christmas was banned after the 1917 revolution, so were Christmas symbols, like the trees and ornaments. Which was really unfortunate, because, they did have some lovely ornaments before that.” Instead, almost twenty years later, a re-visioned tree, the New Year’s Tree, was permitted. “There have always been non-Christmas-y ornaments, ones that aren’t religious, or even Santa Claus-y, but post-Revolutionary Russia were very ‘Soviet,’” he says. “Just as
excellence in sport was seen as a reflection of the superiority of the state system, ornaments of the period often ‘celebrate’ Soviet achievement, so, you see many military figures, oil derricks, space themes later on, and Soviet trains and cars. They’re a little trail of Soviet history and, because they were so tied to events of the moment, you can date them pretty precisely.” A half-dozen “true oddities” hang from a window frame. “Many ornaments in the 1950s and 60s were being made in Japan,” he notes. “Japan is not, generally, a Christian country, so, some of their items did miss the mark.” Dangling in the sunlight are six “dredl” ornaments. “I guess, in the beginning, they didn’t understand that the person buying dredls for the kids wasn’t likely to be celebrating Christmas!” Even Morry’s displays have their limits though. The collection “would swell beyond even Amelia’s good graces!” if he continued accumulating modern
material, so, his collection ends with their “family tree,” the one shared with their children in the 1970s and 1980s. “This tree has ornaments inherited from my parents, that’s 50s and 60s material, the ones we bought as newlyweds, and while our children were growing up - it only comes out at Christmas.” Morry thinks new collectors, however, have a wonderful opportunity to begin collections now. “The so-called modern age of ornament collecting is a little more stratified,” he says. “Companies plan into the future to bring out a series of ornaments. That’s a modern thing. Early companies thought it was better to continue with popular things and add new ones pretty randomly. They had no concept of the ‘annual collectible.” A deep sigh is followed by a laugh. “Honestly though, I sort of envy new collectors the opportunity to pick up the best of modern collectibles. I just missed the Hallmark period by cutting off when I did, and the Dept 56 things, so, I’ll never have a Star Trek Enterprise ornament, or
Vintage Ornaments: A Feast for the Eyes a AAA tow truck - but I do have a few Snow Babies.” If he were starting again today, what would he pick? “Funny, but, I’d go back to Germany. Krebs Glas - back in Lauscha! - or Christmas by Krebs here in North America, still makes the most glorious ornaments! You could pick up a couple a year from their collections and, in a very short time, have a spectacular display. The whimsy, the quality, and the variety are all right there, same as they were a century ago.” A small box of unsorted ornaments sits next to the duster in Morry’s office and he points to it with childlike glee. “I got that at a yard sale the
A Soviet soldier is the subject of this ornament made of fabric and spun cotton. Quality pieces of this era average $US120.
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other day, the whole thing for $10. I know there are some nice ornaments there in my time frame, but, you could collect by theme, by colour, by maker. It doesn’t matter. Going through that box is just like Christmas morning all over again - and I’m 60! That can’t be a bad thing.” He hopes everyone gets as much pleasure from their family tree as he does. “The thing is, collections start every day with the ornaments of the day, with that one ornament you just can’t put down - so, collect what you love, not for the investment, and it will make you happy every day, not just at Christmas.” • Ngaire Genge
Krebs Glas Lauscha made what is believed to be the most expensive ornament ever. For your 20,000 Euro, $US 31,400 in 2008, you receive a handblown glass ball encased in swirling 12K gold and decorated with 120 VS1 diamonds totalling 5.1 carats.
T he Golden Glow of Christmas Past Do you wish Christmas was a year-round holiday? Curious about where your heirloom ornament originated? Or what it might be worth? Suspect you might be a closet ornament-a-phile? Then you’ll probably make a friend or two among the 1000+ members of The Golden Glow of Christmas Past, a volunteer organization for collectors of pre-1966 Christmas memorabilia! Tap here for their Facebook Page
Like to keep the Christmas spirit throughout the year? The Golden Glow of Christmas Past members enjoy: Annual Convention at a different location each summer. “The Glow” newsletter with informative articles and great illustrations delivered six times a year.
Dress Your Christmas Mantel Even If You Don’t Have One!
Photos and Project by Dawn Mohrmann, owner of Hydrangea Home. A beautifully decoated mantel? No, not quite - but it certainly fulfills all the functions of a generously embellished display area! Step back a little, and you’ll realize this “mantel” has a “day job” as a delighftully painted vintage dresser and hall mirror! Tap the icon for more beautiful decor projects by Dawn Morhmann!
If
your home doesn’t have a twelve-foot ceiling and a convenient bay window to hold that dream Christmas tree, or a mantel over a roaring holiday fire to hold up the Christmas stockings, well, you’re in the majority! That doesn’t mean you don’t have a spot somewhere in your home that could function as a mantel, or that you can’t hang your socks in style! What does a mantel do? Designer Greg LeMayne sums it up succinctly, “Lets you put more of the good stuff up without looking silly!” Oh, and hold the stockings. “A mantel is a display area,” says Greg. “Traditionally, you’ll find a really nice clock, your best candlesticks, some gorgeous objects of art, photos of great meaning to you. It’s a curated space, a thematic space, a place for the good stuff.” LeMayne loves Dawn Morhmann’s work (above and inset) in the “nowhere space” of an entryway.
“Here’s an example of all the things you would expect to find on a holiday mantel, in an otherwise wasted space, and - tell me! - who wouldn’t think they were pretty special if they got to dangle their sock off those sweet little crystal drawer pulls? I sure would!” Breaking down the dresser-topand-mirror tableaux, LeMayne points to some “key elements” that “can be replicated in a number of other spaces, and ways, in almost any home.” “First, there are your building blocks. A ‘mantel’ must have depth and the space above must have height. The mirror is really important here. Look at a traditional mantel and you have two things a horizontal space, and a vertical space above it. That vertical space is filled with either a prized piece of art or? - a mirror!” At holiday time, it wasn’t unusual for the Victorians to swap out their art for “an ambitious mirror.” A mirror with presence through size, or beveling
Deck Your Mantel - Even If You Don’t Have One! that gave extra sparkle, or a gilded frame. that could well be a ‘mantel’ space!” “This was a way to double the sumptuousness of LeMayne likes console tables for this role too. holiday decorations without buying more stuff,” says “If you have one between the couch and the wall, LeMayne. “It also drew the eye up, which adds presence to pull it out for a week or so. Decorate it with your favourite a space. And, it was things, add a pile of votives for generously decorated that bit of fire you might be itself!” missing this season without a He points to the fireplace, and hang a mirror, swagged garland across or wreath, or a collection of Mohrmann’s pretty favourite family photos from mirror. some bright Christmas ribbon “This mirror, above it.” beautiful in itself, If you have a console decorated in greenery, table behind the couch in an is very traditionally open plan room, don’t even dressed, even though bother to move it, says Greg. there is no fireplace “Decorate it in place, below. So much so, pop some gifts under it, and you might have to look dangle some of your favourite Stocking hangers like this one from Merry Stockings, are beautiful, twice to realize that’s a ornaments from fine line or personal, and happy to sit on a window ledge, shelf, or console table! It’ll also save a real mantle from nail and tack holes! dresser!” ribbon above it - and you’re The dresser done!” decorations also fulfill traditional roles. A sideboard in the dining room is another great space “You don’t have to go all glitzy to suggest ‘holiday,’” to co-opt as your mantel for the season. says Greg. “This is a very ‘wintery’ theme actually - great “Leave room for your practicalities, like serving your because it can be altered holiday meals, but, otherwise, very slightly to last well go foolish with the part closest beyond Christmas. to the wall and, if you don’t It’s the elements that have something beautiful she’s encorporated that above it now, put something make it such a success. there for the season!” There’s light. There’s If you haven’t shimmer. There’s lush, mounted your TV on the dense decoration. wall, you likely have it sitting There’s greenery. atop some sort of table, prime There’s old pieces that territory in LeMayne’s view. give that heritage “The holidays are handed-down feel that about being together, so, shove goes with Christmas.” the TV in the bedroom for a There’s unity of week and steal that table for theme, as well. your family stocking spot. You Okay, so you don’t have a mantle. Doesn’t mean you can’t have one. “The trees, the can put a tabletop tree there, Eclectic stores like The Door Store in Toronto have lots of them! cones, the greenery, the or a row of them - beautiful They’re happy to help get one to you. swags... it is all parts of feather trees like Mohrmann one piece.” used would be outstanding! If you can create a space with all those elements, says - and get some shelf-sitter ornaments to hold the stockings. LeMayne, it shouldn’t be difficult to make a space that works Put up that mirror, or have the kids create art of their own to like a traditional mantel. brighten the wall until the TV comes back in a day or two for First, find a space! the football.” “Look around you. Do you have a window ledge Can’t find any place that looks like mantel potential? that’s deep enough to add those holiday things? Candles. “Then make one!” Treasured old keepsakes and ornaments. Can you lay a few “You know, a mantel doesn’t really take up much bits of greenery atop it? Or swag some on the front edge? If floor space,” says LeMayne. “You may not be able to put you do, and you hang a beautiful wreath in the window that in a whole fireplace, of course, but, you can certainly have draws the eye up, that shimmers a little, or holds a light, well, the look without the fire hazard easily enough - just buy a
Deck Your Mantel - Even If You Don’t Have One! mantel!” - literally.” A bit extreme for a week at Christmas? LeMayne says “legs” for your shelf can come from “Well, yes, maybe,” he admits. “But, it really doesn’t many sources, “as long as they add a little something take up that much space. It’s a personal or creative to the shelf.” beautiful piece of architecture. You It’s not about cost, he notes, can use it as display space year round, but, getting into the spirit of the as a headboard if you don’t have occasion and the project. one. It’s like adding crown molding “You could drop a fantastic to a room, instant character - and, fabric right to the ground, but, if you if you’re renting, you can prop it want to use the new shelf year-round, temporarily and take it with you, you might want to consider nice legs unlike the crown molding.” - especially if you’ll be taking those If you wanted to go the extra classic pictures of people hanging up step, he adds, “If you own, you can stockings. Architectural elements retrofit a gas or electric fire almost are wonderful, and often very anywhere these days. If you’re in affordable at reclaimation locations!” rental accommodation, an electric You can use ceramic garden unit is also absolutely portable.” seats, industrial workhorses in your And if you don’t have the modern loft, or a pair of shapely square footage, or the desire, to own a stools. mantel? With a solid shelf, deep “Everyone can always use an window ledge, or dresser, it’s time to extra shelf,” he says. “You can get a create the mantel experience. very economical floating shelf from “The Victorians had guides Elegant mantel scarves like these, available from the box store and build from there The Victorian Fireplace Shop, are a great base for for everything, even how to organize your holiday mantel - or shelf! - decorations. - you don’t even have to leave it up a deathbed,” says LeMayne. “Their after the holiday if you don’t want to, ideas about appropriate mantel fare or, you can move it to where you have endured - because it works!” would actually like to have one.” To indulge a little cultural He suggests two options for nostalgia, you need “pretty much dressing up a plain shelf. the same things they used then!” “Back to the Victorians Specifically? for a moment - they were great “The natural touch is what mantel decorators! - get a piece gives you the right texture and of sumptous fabric or a table scent as well as look,” says Greg. runner with a bit of shimmer and “Greens are traditional, but, let it dangle. They were called bunches of dried herbs or fresh mantelpiece or fireplace cloths, or flowers do the trick - lush is lovely.” mantel scarves, if you’re up for a bit The shimmer comes from of a rummage for vintage ones.” metal, glass, crystal, and light. Lovely modern examples “The candlesticks needn’t in everything from lace to burlap be the best house silver,” he ensure something to complement laughs, “But, your favourite shiny your decor. baubles can all come out. A bowl “Mantel scarves even come of ornaments? More mirrors, Project by Jerry Jacobs, in Hallowe’en varieties that look smaller ones, behind candles. Your INT'L AIA, CAM, ASID like big spiders on a black lace web, favourite string of beads. Glass Jacobs Design, Inc. and romantic heart patterns - so, vases, pretty crystal, the gilt edge For elegant “legs,” corbels, like these used by architect you could decorate your mantel on a vintage tea cup - whatever and designer Jerry Jacobs, come in an array of materials shelf year round, not just for makes you happy,” he says. “Dust - concrete, cast stone, terra cotta, plaster, or wood, Christmas.” sizes, and prices - $100 - $5,000 per pair, depending on some glitter over shells collected The second option to give from your days at the beach, if that whether you like wood or Italian marble! yourself a great base for a holiday makes you happy - and the socks!” shelf is to “give yourself a great base • Ngaire Genge
Warming Winter Nights
A Warmer Home: More than Numbers
Ever
walked into a home and gotten an instant chill, even though the air-conditioning was gathering dust and the furnace was on bust? Other homes welcome you in, even before you touch the thermostat. “Warm” is more than a number on the thermometer, it is a feeling, a sense of welcome, an invisible hug. Designer Anna Deviak’s parents came from northern Sweden, where cold is a way of life, but, she says, “I’ve never felt warmer than walking into our family home. You can add ‘warmth’ in lots of ways that have nothing to do with putting another log on the fire.” “Colour is everything,” she says. “Whites and blues make us feel cool. Rich deep colours like red, orange, and gold make us feel warm.” Obviously, you aren’t going to paint your house every season, but, there are simpler ways to add that pop of warm colour. “If your rooms are basically neutral, you have complete control over your colour thermometer,” says Anna. “Add icy blue cushions to your taupe couch to cool down a summer day, toss on garnet velvet ones and you’ll start warming things up.” Anna says accessories are generally less expensive than main pieces, so, it’s possible to have seasonal extras. “I have a white wicker footstool I like in summer with a white cushion for extra seating,”
she says. “In winter, I put that one away and pull out a little vintage number I found in a second-hand shop. It’s dark wood that still gleams when you polish it, and the top is covered in a velvet patchwork of plums and oranges and reds. It makes my toes feel warmer even before I put it closer to the fire! Texture has a much bigger effect than people realize. “Velvets, brocades, well-worn leather, faux furs, weathered woods, all these things have awesome texture,” notes Deviak. “If you have these surfaces in your room, instead of marble or metal or tile, the space feels warmer, for a couple reasons. First, they stop the place from echoing. An echo in a house is a cold, empty sound. You don’t want those. Secondly, texture makes objects more inviting to the fingers. You want to touch them. When was the last time you wanted to hug a vinyl chair? Never. A wooly blanket slung over the back of the couch will get used, guaranteed.” Warmth and excess go hand in hand according to Anna. “I’m not talking expensive, just a lot of something,” she says. “If you come in and there is one cushion in this end of the couch and one more way down at the other end of it, you get a totally different feeling about the space than if you have a couple lap blankets on either end, one across the back, and a half dozen pillowy cushions in between!” The first one is nice, the second setup makes people dive
Warming Winter Nights
“... safe from the night, tucked in at home with my tiny warm light!” onto the couch with a mug of cocoa! “It’s all about layering, like sweaters in winter!” Another spot to layer? “Under your feet! With so many people going with hardwoods and stone, well, it’s not very soft, is it? Drop a plush-y rug down by your bed, in the living room, under the dining room table, even layer them over your installed carpets. Nothing warms a room faster than a dense, colourful rug!” Light equals warmth is Anna’s design lexicon. “White walls and harsh light will leave you cold, regardless of the actual temperature. Soften it up a little in winter. Add table lamps for pools of light on dark nights, light those candles that have been gathering dust!” Although everyone is turning to “greener” lighting options, lighting manufacturers are creating softer, warmer energy-efficient options. “And, if you’re still not happy with those new bulbs, go all romantic and get some lamps with softly coloured glass shades,” suggests Anna. “Pink boudoir lamps were wonderful things! Made you look luscious while creating an intimate and warm space! You might not want a pink livingroom shade, but, ambers and golds, and rich opalescent shades will give a
golden hue to your light.” She likes lights that arc out over the sofa too. “You don’t want those ones that make it look like you’re gonna spend an hour under the dryer at the hair salon,” she advises. “But, a more traditional lamp with a jointed pole? It creates this little puddle of light - and warmth! - that invites you in. Leave the overhead stuff off in winter and create little islands of light instead.” Anything that provides a golden shimmer warms up your rooms. “At Christmas, that isn’t hard to find,” notes Anna. “Ornaments, garland, candles, and bright wrapping paper all give a little extra glow. You can bump up your glow factor after the holiday decorations disappear with hints of metal in other things, like a gold thread in a pillow fabric, adding a shimmering ribbon to hold back drapes, or rejuvenating some old flower pots with a coat of metallic spray paint.” Beyond the things in the room, however, Anna says there are two keys to making your home a warm, welcoming haven. “Hospitality and cheer,” she says. “You can live in an ice house and, if you master the art of hospitality, and deliver it with a genuine smile, then your home will seem the warmest place
Warming Winter Nights ever. You know the people who do this well, they’re the neighbours in the house with all the cars out front all the time!” Being that go-to place where people like to gather isn’t hard. “If you think about it, just do what you’d like others to do for you. A basket of warm slippers in all sizes, right by a comfortable spot to sit and take off winter shoes? That says “I want you to feel at home!’ in a big way. So does an extra stack of towels in the powder room. The smell of good food when you open the door.” In Sweden, Anna’s mother always “put visitors boots next to the fireplace to warm.” Anna doesn’t have a fireplace, but, she props boots atop her electric baseboard heater, “to ensure they’re warm when they leave.” Having something warm to drink on hand when people arrive for a winter visit is “a foregone conclusion” in Anna’s homeland. “We tend to offer coffee or tea in North America,” she says. “A simmering pot of rich hot chocolate, mulled beer, or a winter soup like leek-and-potato, is really no more difficult - and will make such an impression on your guests when they can come in and you wrap their hands around a mug like that.” Keep the warm tidbits coming throughout the evening with a retro fondue - broth, chocolate, or cheese. “Cold courses and trays are often the only solution for a large gathering of family and friends, says Anna. “But, even if it is just one dish, try to provide a hot something
“For me it is sufficient to have a corner by my hearth, a book and a friend, and a nap undisturbed by creditors or grief.” - Fernandez de Andrada they can hold in one hand - you’ll probably find it’s the most popular item of the entire night.” “If you are having a big party, give people the opportunity to talk by ensuring you have some quiet spots amid the crush and providing an opportunity for people to step away and chat before rejoining the boisterous activities.” “Even the activities you choose can heighten that sense of intimacy and warmth,” says Anna. “Instead of swirling through a house full of guests at one big party, you might try smaller groups and activities like a round of cards or other games that keep your hands busy while you share that coffee and catch up.” An “open house” can be fun, but, being asked to come to a much smaller gathering makes people feel special - and that’s really what makes any home warm, ensuring your guests know how important they are to you.” When it’s time for guests to leave, Anna suggests a “loot bag for adults” to take away with them. “If you bake a sheet of cookies, you can pop a half dozen in each of a bunch of paper bags, tie them up with a bit of string and leave them in a low oven until it’s time to wave them away from your door,” she says. “What could say ‘warm’ better than giving them a warm little package to take out into the night and nibble together on the drive home?” • Ngaire Genge
Warming Winter Nights Mulled Cider Cider comes in alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions, so you can choose one or offer both, just remember to label the “leaded” and “unleaded” varieties. Once mulled, this cider can also be refrigerated and served cold - if there is any left over, which there probably won’t be. 1 hefty orange 2 quarts apple cider 2 tbsp honey 5 whole allspice berries 6 whole cloves 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg 8 5-inch pieces stick cinnamon With a vegetable peeler, zest the orange in long strips. Eat orange. In a medium pan, bring cider, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and orange zest to a simmer. Don’t boil it. Add rest. Let simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Serve in cups with cinnamon sticks.
Austrian Chocolate Coffee This is not the hot chocolate served with candy canes to the wee ones at this time of year, this is strictly for the adults who want a real cup of coffee and that chocolate-y Christmas goodness. A favourite in Vienese coffee houses yearround, with good reason. 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/3 cup sugar 2 1/2 cups milk 1 1/2 cups freshly brewed strong coffee or, even better, espresso. Photo: AnyOne71 - RGB Stock
In a heavy medium saucepan, stir sugar and cocoa together, squish any resulting lumps until mixture looks evenly distributed. Add just enough milk to moisten the mix, no more than 1/2 cup. Stir again, squishing against the sides of the pan to get as evenly distributed as you can. Over low heat, whisk in the coffee and the rest of the milk. then cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occassionally. When it steams, but hasn’t boiled, it’s ready. Pour into mugs and serve.
Warming Up from the Inside Out:
Great holiday drinks! “All you need is love. But, a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” Charles M. Schulz
Warming Winter Nights Hot Cranberry Punch
Mexican Hot Chocolate
This warming drink is worth making for the smell alone - but it also tastes great. It’s a good choice for those trying to cut down on the caffeine and for children. With a wealth of nutrients, it’s one Christmas treat that is also actually good for you!
Mexican Hot Chocolate is a wonderful mix of chocolate and spicesthat is less sweet than other versions. With its combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and almond tastes, it is perfect at Christmas.
2 qts cranberry juice 3 cups orange juice 1/4 cup white sugar 1/4 cup dark brown sugar 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice 1/8 tsp salt 2 3-inch pieces stick cinnamon In a large slow cooker, add cranberry juice and bring to high heat. Add sugars, stir to dissolve. Add remaining ingredients. Leave covered on high heat for 4 hours, then reduce to low setting to keep warm for serving.
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1 tbsp boiling water 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp dark brown sugar 1/8 tsp nutmeg 1 cup 1% milk 1/8 tsp almond extract
In a small pan, heat milk until hot, but not to boiling, about three minutes. Alternatively, heat in microwave until steaming, but not to the boiling point. Meanwhile, in a large mug, stir dry ingredients (cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar) until even distributed and without lumps. Add the boiling water and stir until smooth. Add hot milk and stir again until combined, add vanilla and almond. Serve.
Not-Too-Hard Chai Tea Yes, you can buy chai tea in a packet - with the sugar and some milk powder already included, and that would be the easiest chai tea. This one is “easy” compared to the long process to make absolutely authentic chai tea - and will taste so much better than the packet! 8 cardamon 8 cloves 4 black peppercorns 2 3-inch cinnamon sticks 1 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced thin 2 cups whole milk 2 cups water 4 bags black tea (or loose in tea ball) 8 tsp sugar (maybe a litte more, taste first) Put cardamon, cloves, and peppercorns in a plastic bag and crush them with an iron skillet or other heavy implement. Put crushed seeds in a medium saucepan and toast lightly over medium heat until you start to smell their scent. Allow pan to cool. Add milk, water, ginger, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add tea. Cover, wrap in a tea towel, and let it steep undisturbed for 10 minutes. Strain into four cups, add 2 tsp of sugar to each cup, serve. If you like the “bubble” variety, prepare tapioca bobas while tea steeps, add before serving. Photo: SailinJohn Photography - RGB Stock
“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” C.S. Lewis
Warming Winter Nights Photo: Michael Genge
Light from Darkness, Warmth from Ice! F
or ancient peoples watching the sun sink lower on the horizon, the days shortening, and ice beginning to catch in woodland pools, fire was life. A single tiny flame, the sun held captive on the hearth, was both a guide home through the night, and warmth to make it through until morning. Small wonder then that fire - on modern hearths, in massed pillar candles, or community bonfires - remains part of every mid-winter celebration, including the Christian celebration of the Light of the World. These two projects will bring light to your window sills, porch, or walkway, welcoming guests on dark winter nights, warming spirits and fingertips! The juxtaposition of finding fire inside ice speaks to the warmth that follows winter, and the snug sense of security
Michael and Peter Genge demonstrate the making of Scandinavian Ice Candles. Materials needed: • A large plastic container • Water • A candle • A cold night or two Make a bunch of these to decorate outside all winter long, not just for the holidays.
felt on returning home from the cold outdoors - or being welcomed inside by a good friend. Both these projects create decorative “Scandinavian candles,” just on different scales. For a big statement, follow the example in our video tutorial by Peter and Michael Genge. To create a bunch of smaller candles for that winter BBQ night, or to include more decorative elements, or to make inside if it isn’t quite cold enough for an outdoor project, Michael Genge’s step by step is the thing. Either project is a great family activity. The kids can help gather decorations and check the thickness of the ice - and you can make as many as you’d like! It would certainly be hard to find a more economical decoration - just add water!
Making Scandinavian Ice Candles Peter Genge and Michael Genge
Warming Winter Nights
Scandinavian Style Ice Votive Holders S
imple, seasonal, and fun to make with children, this smaller version of the Scandinavian ice candle can be made indoors in the freezer. A row up the front steps, along a porch rail, or leading from the driveway to the front step welcomes visitors. In an apartment or condo? Because they have a smaller base, they fit neatly along any window ledge outside! You won’t need to purchase materials for this one. All you need is a pair of plastic containers - this one was made with a peanut butter jar and a smaller, squeezy mustard container! As long as they’re smooth, so they’ll slide off the ice, and one is bigger than the other, you’re good to go! Your decorations can be anything. Wild berries left over in the garden make this candle holder cheerful in daylight, but you can include anything you have around the house: tiny ornaments, glitter, or a string of beaded garland. Then just add water! Step One: Pour an inch or two of water in the bottom of the large container. Lay it outside or in the freezer until it freezes solid.
Step Three: Once the bottom freezes, centre your smaller container inside the
Tip #1
Tip #2
Tip #3
Water straight from the tap will contain a lot of air.
The thicker your ice block wall, the longer it will last outside.
If you let it sit for a moment before freezing, you’ll have fewer bubbles in your ice blocks.
The thinner your ice block wall, the more light you’ll get from your votive or tealight candles.
The deeper the candle space, the less likely your candles are to blow out in breezy weather. To avoid melting your holder, light candles before dropping them inside.
Step Two: While the bottom is freezing, decide if you want to put anything in the ice block. We’ve put some twigs with bright red berries in our example, but, they are equally lovely as pure ice. If you want to embellish your votive, remember to leave some clear ice to let light through!
Photos: Michael Genge
produces a swirl effect.
larger one and and fill the space between with water. If you’re small container wants to float, you can weigh it down with sand or beans, or just lay a plate on top! If your decorative objects float, you’ll want to add water in layers. Put in just enough water to freeze your first lot of decorations in place, then add more layers of decoration and water until you reach the top. Layering takes a little longer, but, it is a very pretty effect if you’re adding, for example, glitter. Tipping the container a little while it freezes
Step Four: Once everything freezes, slide out the inside container. If it doesn’t slip out easily, a little warm water inside the small container should melt it just enough to see it come free. Now, slide the ice block out of the larger container. If this one seems sticky, set the whole thing in some warm water for just a few moments - being careful not to get water inside. Step Five: Light a votive or a tealight candle and drop it inside for a lovely glow!
A Taste of Home
Gluten-Free Dessert d’ Chocolate
Decadent Brownies Less than 150 Calories per Serving!
Giving up gluten doesn’t mean givng up decadent chocolate dessert for the holidays. This yummy version of chocolate pudding pots can be served with the most elegant meal - for everyone to enjoy!
4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (1 cup) 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup butter 2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped 1 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup 1% low-fat milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 large egg yolks 1 large egg Cooking spray Preheat oven to 350°. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, cocoa, and salt in a medium bowl; stir with a whisk. Place butter and chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl, and microwave at HIGH for 45 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds. Stir until smooth, and set aside. Cool slightly. Add 1 cup sugar, milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, egg yolks, and egg; stir with a whisk to combine. Add butter mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until combined. Pour batter into an 8-inch square metal baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean.
2/3 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 3 cups whole milk 4 large egg yolks 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon of confectioner’s sugar In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add 1/3 cup of the milk, stirring to form a smooth paste. Whisk in the egg yolks and the remaining milk. Cook the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula until thickened, 12 to 15 minutes (do not allow to boil). Remove from heat. Add the vanilla and chocolate, stirring until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour into eight 4-ounce ramekins, glasses, or teacups. Refrigerate, covered, until chilled, at least 2 hours and up to 2 days. Sprinkle with the cocoa powder and a touch of powdered sugar before serving.
Old Fashioned Gingerbread
Directions
Ingredients
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch square pan.
1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup butter 1 egg 1 cup molasses 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup hot water Photo: Michelina Photography - RGB Stock
In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the egg, and mix in the molasses. In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Blend into the creamed mixture. Stir in the hot water. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan before serving.
! H O Original Home Magazine welcomes your ideas and contributions to our publication. Do you have: • an article that helps our readers personalize their living space • a book we can excerpt • a project that our readers can adapt to their home • a strong image illustrating a creative idea Click here to reach us! originalhomemagazine @gmail.com
Our Talented Contributors We would like to recognize the creative individuals and firms who helped bring this issue together! Alec Holland, designer Julia - NadalundGabel.com Dawn Mohrmann - Hydrangea Home Mei Teng, photographer MK74 Photography - Dreamstime.com Mong Saetern - www.Petitetomatoes.com David John - Aped Aperture Tacluda Photography - RGB Stock MediaStock - RGB Stock SalsaChia - RGB Stock DYET - RGB Stock Dave Rumsey, photographer Boriss Sokolov, photographer Susan Tario, photographer Tricia Cosgrove, photographer The Door Store Merry Stockings The Victorian Fireplace Shop Jerry Jacobs Design, Inc. Michael Genge, photographer AnyOne71 Photography - RGB Stock Sailin John Photography - RGB Stock Roger Moen - RE/MAX Properties of the Summit Michelina Photography - RGB Stock