November 1, 2009

Vintage Deal of the Day: November 1, 2009




{I couldn’t resist, I know that many of us are still staring yesterday’s jack-o-lanterns square in the eyes, but the moment the clock ticks from October into November, I’m biting at the chomp to get the winter holiday season under way! What better way to begin preparing for the festivities that November and December bring than with a plate full of treats whipped up from this darling 1949, illustrated Christmas cookie cookbook? It’s a sweet deal for just $7.50 (US) from etsy seller Vintage Vice’s Paper Emporium.}


Growing up my family had a lovely annual tradition in which, at the stroke of midnight, we would play one Christmas song (it varied from year-to-year) to usher in the beginning of the winter holiday season. From November 1st onwards Christmas tunes were free to waft through the air any time from that point until the start of January. I don’t know if anyone else in my family still carries on this fun little practise, but I (or more accurately, my husband and I) do, for I love time-honoured traditions.

This year’s song of choice was Silver Bells, a delightful and upbeat holiday tune that I often hum throughout the year. This jaunty tune was first sung by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in 1950 for the movie The Lemon Drop Kid, though most of us are more inclined to remember Bing Crosby and Carol Richard’s version which was released later that same year. Since then dozens of other artists (from Anne Murray to Stevie Wonder) have covered this classic Christmas Carole, though I definitely have a soft spot for the Bing Crosby version.

If you’re in the mood to begin filling your home with the “feeling of Christmas”, why not take a moment and listen to Silver Bells today, too? Here’s a charming Youtube clip someone filmed of their record player playing an original 45 recording of this beautiful Christmas carol.





I know I may be jumping on the holiday bandwagon a tad quick, but I do adore Christmas and love having a celebration to look forward to. And speaking of festivities, how was your Halloween? Mine was lots of fun, low key, but still terrific. My husband shot a few snaps of me in my Halloween outfit (not a costume per se, but an outfit sporting Halloween hues) that I’m planning to post here very soon.

I hope that you each had a marvelous Halloween and that the winter holiday season will be magical for everyone!

22 comments:

  1. What a lovely tradition! One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the music and my all time favorite song is Silver Bells too!

    I don't think you're jumping the holiday bandwagon, it's a beautiful time of the year...I hope you enjoy every sweet moment of it!!

    Love and hugs,
    Karyn

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  2. What a delightful tradition! I am always so excited to start getting into the holiday spirit (today we went to the store and started looking at Christmas decorations - never mind that we already have around four trees-worth of ornaments!). I think we may borrow that from you...

    iamemmamusic.blogspot.com

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  3. My girls and I always start playing Christmas music on halloween. It is much too early for my hubby tho, so we have to play it when he is not around. :) It has been a fun tradition and one I always look forward to!

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  4. Oh I forgot to mention How cute that cookbook is. It makes me smile just looking at the cover :)

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  5. Hi there, hon! I just love your blog. Yep, trying to put away the Halloween decor and start preparing for Turkey Day which of course means getting the house ready for Christmas. Yes ... I am one of those that begins their decorating right before Thanksgiving. Happy Day, Hon!

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  6. I cannot wait to see your costume!!!

    I'm definitely not ready for Christmas or Christmas music :-)

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  7. I love the tradition! I absolutely adore Christmas, and usually put my decorations up November 1st! I have to say I'm a little behind this year and need to get a move on. Things are going so well for me this year that I just know it's going to be a wonderful holiday season. Thanks for the post and getting me excited!

    Also, your welcome for the compliments Jessica. I love the feedback you always give me, and really look forward to your posts. I hope you have an amazing Monday girlie. Kori xoxo

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  8. That's such a wonderful tradition :)
    Christmas is my favorite holiday and holiday season of all. I usually try to wait a little later (more mid-November) to start playing Christmas music myself because it gets me too ready and excited for Christmas.

    Great find for your vintage deal, I love making Christmas cookies and it would be even more fun with vintage recipes ;)

    Hope you had a happy Halloween!

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  9. Oh I love your tradition, I think they are great to keep going.

    I love Silver Bells by Bing and Carol, I play his Christmas songs very year! This one actually makes me feel misty ... in a good way.
    xxxx

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  10. What a great tradition, and Christmas is all so much more enjoyable with the whole family. It also gives a little hope and light in the dark evenings as they get colder!

    Your feedback is always a delight to read, have a fabulous Monday my sweet!

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  11. I'm with you. As much as I love Halloween, once it's over, I completely devote myself to Christmas throughout November and December.

    Enjoy the season.(If you don't already have it, Christmas with the Rat Pack is a great CD.)

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  12. That Christmas cookie book looks awesome!

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  13. I had the sheet music for Silver Bells when I was a teen and played it on the piano again and again. Fortunately, my mother loved to hear anything I would play on the piano so she never tired of hearing it...I don't know about the rest of the family.( HeHe!) Love this post...thanks for the memories! Hugs, Coralie

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  14. What a cool post. Nothing wrong with getting into the Christmas spirit already. We could probably all use it. I had a great Halloween. Take care. Enjoy the week ahead. Cheers!

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  15. So nice tradition indeed! American Christmas songs are the best!

    And the book sounds lovely as well :-)

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  16. Ohhhhhhh, I love that song! I'm so in the Christmas spirit already!

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  17. I love this tradition, to me it's never too soon to start celebrating the most...wonderful time...of the year! lol

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  18. What a fun tradition! I hold back, grimacing, as best I can until the day after Thanksgiving. I like to take my holidays in order :) But I have been caught watching "White Christmas" in July!

    Thanks for following, by the way :)

    Happy Monday,
    Jen

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  19. Your outfit and makeup looked lovely, dear. Pity about no T-o-T arrivals. Halloween just isn't what it used to be. :(

    Forgive me for skipping over the Christmas portion of your post. I tend to go lalalalalalalala and block out Christmas things in a rather bah-humbug sort of way until at least the week after Thanksgiving. I'm slowly losing this battle, with the allowance of the 5 others in my family to watch Christmas movies starting yesterday. *sigh* 5 to 1, it's hard to beat, even if you're the Momma.

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  20. Humongous thanks, one and all, for your marvelous comments. It touches my heart to know that many of you like this tradition of mine. I'm going to be sure to blog about it again next year, and the next, and...as a way of ensuring I keep the tradition alive with the help of my wonderful online friends.

    Thank you again so much, everybody, I hope that each of your months are off to an excellent start!
    ♥ Jessica

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