It's Beginning To . . .

Look a lot like Christmas in many places with less than 2 weeks to go until the big day.

The Hudson Senior Center in NH where we're members is always decked out for the holidays and even more so at this time of year. Members, including myself, volunteer to put up (and later take down) all of the trees, figures and extensive holiday village.

Above are some of the 12 trees that are displayed in every room from the director's office to the lunchroom and game areas. 

Santa and snowman are in other areas of the center along with holiday signs.

A holiday-themed village is displayed on several bookcase shelves. All of the individual pieces were unpacked and set up and will be removed and stored the same way.

The center's resident senior, Maxine, is also decked out in a holiday outfit. She's always dressed for the seasons and holidays by center members.

Several Main Street store windows and restaurants were decorated in downtown Nashua, NH.

The displays in the windows of a local jewelry store features Wee Forest Folk®, which began in 1972 as a New England business started by Annette Petersen at the family farm in Concord, MA. The company produces a line of miniatures, most of which are mice figures and handcrafted entirely in the U.S. in Carlisle, MA.

Each mouse begins as an original clay piece which is hand sculpted by one of three sculptors in the Petersen family. The finished sculpture is molded and hand cast at the mouse factory in Carlisle, MA, then selected artistisians hand paint each one. 

These mice are tiny, but their prices are not so small as many have become collectibles over the years. The cost of some of those shown in the photos above ranges from a couple hundred dollars to over 500 for three in the Santa train as each are individually priced.

Crosswalks display seasonal greenery as does Nashua City Hall.

Thanks to freezing temperatures the past week, ice sculptures created during the Holiday Stroll on Thanksgiving weekend are still in a downtown park area.

The Parc de Notre Renaissance Française, a riverfront park close to the mill apartments of Clocktower Place was opened during Thanksgiving weekend after renovations of 18 months were completed. The park honors the Franco-American community's contributions to the city's textile industry with the centerpiece La Dame et son fils Émile sculpture. It now includes a walking path, seating areas, bike racks and a covered amphitheater for summertime concerts.

Christmas trees have been set up in both lobbies Clocktower Place apartments. The one on the left is in the building we call home. The one on the right is in the other building. A resident holiday party will be held tonight including a visit by Santa.

Decorations outside our apartment entry were done last week with many familiar pieces. The interior decorations will be completed this week. Holiday card writing took precedence this past week. Yes, despite ever-increasing USPS rates, I prefer to send cards in the post versus through text messages. However, I can understand that rising costs deter many from doing the same.

Your turn — do you decorate for the holidays and/or send cards?