Family in Feast and Feria

Kathryn at The Bookworm is hosting the Loveliness of Preparation Fair. If you looked around my house, you'd see I'm in no way ready for Christmas. This has been an Advent of errands, interruptions, and appointments that sap time away from home. Plus a week on the couch due to a minor foot injury at the beginning of Advent and I'm way behind. Everything is in process, or halfway done. I have Christmas cards, stamps, addresses, waiting for the pictures. The Christmas tree only has lights. The presents aren't wrapped, and some aren't even bought. I'm not despairing or lamenting. I recognize it as a work in progress, and chipping away slowly.

I'm enjoying seeing our Advent saints and feasts filling up our house giving visible signs that Christmas is nearing. First it was the Advent Wreath and Advent Calendars, then St. Barbara's candle. St. Nicholas added ornaments and statues and cookies, and our Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe candles are on display. And our Mary Candle is on the mantle since the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Tonight it was the Lucia Crown and Swedish Candle Chimes.

But there is one part of our preparation that is done, and that is thanks to my husband. Well, even that needs one little touch, but it's minor. I had an informal poll at 4Real if anyone had Christmas tree platforms. Only a few people who responded knew what they were, but there were happy memories attached to those who knew of it. I'm beginning to think it's commonly found in areas that had railroading, or families who were big train people.

My husband grew up in Western Pennsylvania, in Altoona (big train area), and always had a Christmas tree platform. In fact, they had two platforms. One was on the floor (this one was used all-year round for his brother's Lionel train), and the other was raised off the ground. My mil still uses hers. It is about 4 x 6 feet, with a hole cut out in the middle for the tree and the light cords. It is covered in the green paper for train displays, with detachable legs to make it either on the ground or about 18 inches high, with the brick corrugated paper around to disguise the bottom. The top displays a village, a nativity, and a train.

Dh decided that this year we would make a platform part of our family tradition. For those with handyman husbands who already have a home workshop, this means nothing. But this was momentous for us. Dh had to purchase some power tools and this was his first real woodworking project. It's a beautiful job, and I'm really proud of him. And our son just loves it. And that's what it's about -- making happy family memories.











Our Thomas wooden railway has already made its arrival on the platform. Dh also built a little box to stand the tree higher, so that's what you see under the platform. I still have to add the faux brick corrugated paper (called Corobuff) around the edges to hide the bottom, but it's wonderful as it is right now. I'm happy to embrace my husband's family tradition for our home. I'm looking forward to struggling over the decision of what kind of train, shall we do a village, and if so what kind, shall we just set a manger with Jesus or a whole nativity scene or both--and what kind? Planning is so much fun!

ETA: Here are the final pictures. We decided against an elaborate train set for awhile, as our son is so young and hands-on. We thought it would be better to incorporate the Wooden Railway. We did buy the battery operated Christmas set, and it works so nicely with the rest of the trains, but I don't have to worry about ds touching and breaking things. And he's enjoying it so much, although I couldn't catch a smile on the film, there have been plenty!