It's Time For The "Christmas-Mystery" Award ~

Category: Zuzu's Homefront Blog | Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:05 pm

I used to decorate much more elaborately for the holidays . . .

. . . when I was younger.

One year, I built a couple of deer out of chicken wire
and some grapevine freshly cut from our back lot.

Hubby built a plywood sleigh, that was big enough to hold
a small cedar tree, which we picked up from a brush pile
at the side of the road.
I "harnessed" the deer to the sleigh with ribbon.

And the following year I built and added
a life-sized figure of St. Nick and another deer, this one lying down.

(No, that's NOT hubby

)

We eventually developed a little bit of a reputation,
and the traffic flow on our street picked up noticeably
in the week or so around Christmas.
I got such a kick out of watching the cars slow to a crawl,
or even stop. And, each night, through the front windows,
we could see the spark of flash bulbs, and occasionally,
the steady gleam of a cam-corder light.
I was just so flattered to think that people wanted
to come and see what I'd done,
and some even wanted to keep or maybe share it on film.

Every year I made a new and different display.

Gosh, I used to go all out, back then! Looking at these old photos,
I wonder where I got the time and energy??
Well,

I was younger . . . did I already mention that part?

Anyway, it was because of one of those "productions" of mine,
that our annual award tradition was born.

One day, near Christmas, I came home to find
a pretty little poinsettia plant on my doorstep.
With it, there was a short and very sweet, but unsigned. note.
It said how much they enjoyed seeing our display,
and how seeing it had been a much-needed bright spot
in an otherwise difficult season.
It was a sort of a "Thank you" note.

It really touched my heart.
It made me feel so appreciated and humble all at the same time.
I was reminded how we can sometimes touch a life
in a positive way without ever realizing it,
just by being who we are, and doing what we do naturally.

I asked around for weeks afterward,
but I never worked out who it had been,
all of our neighbors denied any part in it.
Hubby called it "The Christmas-Mystery Award"

In the years since then, my outdoor holiday decorations
have become distinctly more subdued,
I can't seem to find the energy and time that I used to have,
but hubby and I have replaced that old tradition
with a new one.

We started giving out "Christmas-Mystery Awards" each year.
I just pick up a little something extra when I'm shopping,
an ornament, a small gift or maybe a seasonal plant.
Then, while we're riding around, enjoying everyone else's
lights and decorations, we choose one place,
and leave the little gift, along with a card, saying
"Thank you for making our Christmas brighter with your lovely display"

I've got everything ready, we'll go out one evening later this week.
It's a lot of fun . . .

. . . so long as we don't get shot or arrested.

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Comments

Gardenstew wrote on Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:11 pm:

I'm so glad you found us here Zuzu because I really enjoy reading your witty posts and looking at your amazing work! Those reindeer would definitely turn my head. St. Nick would scare me though probably.

Imagine being the lucky person to pick up the "Christmas Mystery" award :-D What a surprise.

pondlady wrote on Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:25 pm:

How wonderful Zuzu. Your posts and pics certainly brighten my days.
And if that is not hubby, is he your paramour? (Can that be a man or must it be a woman?)

cajunbelle wrote on Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:37 pm:

ZuZu, your reindeer are lovely, and I love St. Nick. Of course, green is my favorite color and that shade of green is my very favorite green, so that helps in my liking him a lot. How did you do his face, it is so lifelike.

Your award idea is very nice, one I would like to do.

eileen wrote on Tue Dec 19, 2006 1:49 am:

Zuzu your deer as absolutely fantastic!! Neither wonder folks used to stop to take photographs. If I'd lived anywhere near you I'd have done the same.
I love the idea of a 'Christmas Mystery Award' so much. What a lovely way to 'make' someones Christmas.

glendann wrote on Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:36 am:

I to am so glad you found the Stew Zuzu.I love to see all the wonderful things you and hubby do .I have made so many friends in the Stew and love seeing all the great art that comes our way..I try to remember what I did without you all and the Stew .I can't, and you know what I don't want to either.