GINA MORTIMER STORR

I have so many wonderful memories and fun traditions of Christmas. This was always such a magical time for my entire family and I have continued to keep that magic alive!

I especially remember how special Christmas was to my father. While we were off attending colleges abroad (a total of five of us at one time!) my father was adamant about one thing: we all had to be home for Christmas. Because my mother worked for an airline at the time, we got to travel the world fairly unrestricted so most holidays, we found ourselves all over, visiting families of room mates and college friends. However, inevitably a few days before Christmas, most of us could be found sleeping in some airport, on the way to Nassau for Christmas!

When I first relocated to the US in 1998, I was adamant that this was a time for me to create new Christmas traditions with my new family. Well, that lasted exactly one year and after being completely miserably away from Nassau and the rich traditions of my extended family, Jim and I have made the trek to Nassau for every Christmas since!

This year is no different and we are excited and looking forward to all that Nassau and our families have to offer for the holidays.

Despite the fact that we will be gone, I still take the time to “dress up” our home for the holidays. Right after I clear the table following our Thanksgiving meal, I begin the transformation! I use the traditional decorations at the center of which is my collection of angels and ornaments from every trip that I have ever taken since college and, a few from family members and friends from their own travels.

This year, my newest ornaments are:

Hand crafted Australian Ornament

Handcrafted Wooden Bell from Australia

This ornament, was purchased at the Darling Harbour Plaza in Sydney Australia during my trip in November. The wood is from the Australian tropical forests and is called Golden Satinwood (Rhodosphaera rhodanthema). It is hard like maple and its golden color is natural. Australian artisans create a lot of arts and craft from natural woods found throughout the dense tropical forests found throughout the country.

Pres Barack Obama

Obama bust from Washington DC

Purchased on my trip to DC in September 2009. This is my second “Obama” ornament and I am an avid supporter of the President whom I met in 2007! I also own an “Official” ornament that the campaign issued in 2008. (have to keep an eye on that one whenever I have visitors while my tree is up!) I look forward to lots of presents from the President, especially health care reform!

White House 2009 Ornament

Official 2009 White House Ornament

(a gift from one of my sisters-in-law). This is my second White House ornament and it is has the following inscription on the back: “There will be a great Christmas tree gorgeous in its beautiful trimmings, all sorts and conditions of dolls, and toys of every description. 1894 – 1st Christmas tree with electrical lights” The sitting president in 1894 was President was Grover Cleveland.

Although my ornament collection is by far my absolute favorite part of my preparing for Christmas, there is one other item that ranks right up there. My singing Christmas farmer! Say what? You have to hear him and know the story to understand why: My very first Christmas as a resident of the US in 1998, I came across this funky little singing farmer who belts out the most annoying tune whenever there is any motion around him! I usually place him in an inconspicuous place so that he catches people of guard with his country tune!

Well, my father, the late Lester Mortimer Sr, when he first heard this, (he and my mother visited for New Years) was absolutely taken (he loved anything Christmas!) and had me search for another. I don’t remember if I ever did find another one but I do know that of all the Christmas memories I have, my singing farmer brings me the most joy as every time I hear him sing, I can picture Daddy’s broad smile as he sang and danced along! Check out  my Singing Farmer below and share a smile!

Did I mention my ornament collection? Here are some of my favorites:

• First three are related to our national festival – Junkanoo
• Conch shell angel is made from local conch shells and was bought on the island of Abaco, Bahamas
• The glass ornament is in memory of my father
• The stocking ornament is made from corn starch and was bought at a Christmas Festival in DC when I first moved to US

As if the singing farmer was not enough, I stumbled across this hilarious Christmas item buried in the back of a gift store somewhere in Florida. (Yeah, I’m “that” kind of shopper!) The lovely Asian couple that ran the store apologized for “hiding these colored people” but explained that not many of “us” shopped there and they had it for some time, intending to send it back as it was just a sample!!!! I promptly offered to “take it of their hands” and paid only a few dollars for it.

Well here they are, starring on You Tube no less!!!!!:

Wishing you a peaceful and memorable Christmas

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