Have you seen the line of Marks and Spencer items available at Target? They are so cute. This line features fun items from the iconic British department store. Tea tins, cookie tins, tea cups, chocolates, ornaments and more.
The double decker bus had to come home with me. And the Scottish shortbread cookies inside? Well, let's just say that they didn't last until Christmas in our house.
I have a shelf in my craft room, at the tippy top, where I display a small collection of tins. Scottie dogs, a crofter's cottage, a red British phone box. The bus fits right in.
Some years, I find the holiday décor themes irresistible. The "everything Nordic" years. The "mad about plaid" years. The "woodland animals" years. The "gnome and toadstool" years.
This year? Nothing has really excited me. Giant nutcrackers? Not my jam. Pastel pink and mint green flocked Christmas? No thanks. Skinny brass modern reindeer? Pass.
That's fine. I like repurposing the things I already have. And I have plenty. Enough in storage that I can say "Let's not do all the woodland this year, but pull out nativities and stars instead."
Or "I think I'll keep the Nordic stuff in the pantry and leave it off the hutch. This year, I'll just use my tea pots, my Johnson Brothers dishes, and my red and green Longaberger."
I've really been enjoying my afternoon teas this season.
We still have to put up the Christmas tree. And I may need to remove a few pumpkins outside and put out the Christmas lights. Sigh. When you are a retail family, a lot of holiday expectations have to be put on the back burner. You get to it when you find the time.
We make time for the important things. Advent services. Family. Work. Walking outside. Eating healthy, mostly. Except for those buttery and delicious M and S shortbread cookies.
Tell me...have you found any cute things in the stores this holiday?
I was at Target yesterday and didn't notice this! I did find lots of gnome candle decor at Yankee Candle, though, so I brought those home 😄 And my youngest daughter bought 2 large gnomes at Aldi last week to flank our fireplace. Can't resist the gnomes still.
ReplyDeleteYou have an afternoon tea, too? I go for a walk - sometimes with the dog, sometimes without, depends on the temperature (she despises wind and cold) - and then enjoy afternoon tea. I've gotten into baking biscotti recently as we are testing recipes for my oldest daughter's bridal shower and wedding cookie table so a couple of those are enjoyed with the afternoon tea. It's a comforting ritual!
I love the tradition of the cookie table! Hoping when my youngest gets married, he and his bride will be on board for this!
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