While I don't start decking the halls till Thanksgiving, my official start to the holiday season is the annual Northville greens market, which I always attend with my friend, Jan, like THIS LAST VISIT in 2019.)
We missed it last year for Covid reasons, but this year we ventured out to do our traditional day -- the market, shopping at our favorite store (Gardenviews), lunch at a favorite restaurant and then a stop at Trader Joe's!
The annual start to my personal Christmas season is the holiday greens market in the charming town of Northville, MI. (Cue the music!)
For at least ten years, and probably a number more, my friend Jan and I have ventured to the market on the weekend before Thanksgiving, select our wreaths and then enjoy shopping in our favorite shop, Gardenviews, before lunching at Guernsey, a local restaurant, and stocking up for Thanksgiving at Trader Joe's.
The market is always packed with a terrific selection of wreaths and arrangements, along with greens for decking the halls. On this day, the weather was reasonable -- that is, not too cold, definitely not damp but not so unseasonably warm it doesn't feel like Christmas!
This booth looked almost empty by the time we left!
Santa is there and the town square is festively decorated with a huge tree and lovely arrangements.
Across the street, the theatre had a live children's show playing. Honestly, this town looks like something that fell out of a Hallmark movie!
Once we had our greens safely tucked away, we hit Gardenviews and if we weren't in the holiday mood, we would have instantly discovered it right here in this magical world of tinsel and lights!
I always love seeing what's new this year. I always think I've seen it all, and then something will pop up that is just so darned cute, I smile. Big smile. Lots of teeth and happy eyes!
I was pretty good about buying this year, but I did capture a few felted creatures to inspire me with my own. Even though the style is different, you can always learn!
These super-sized ornaments wouldn't work for my tree, but I loved them!
And there's something about the word "Believe" that always captures my imagination.
I came really close to getting this -- I love chickadees! But again, too big!
Our shopping trip came to a close and soon it home where Thanksgiving would await.
These little Campbell kids have been in the family since I was a child. They used to have hats but I gave them to the cats a long time ago and they seem to have disappeared. Good thing that was before Lizzie's time!
If you celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you had a lovely holiday! We did!
One more post before we start England (which will indeed be interrupted more than once for holiday cheer!). It is now December but we hit the Northville Greens Market in November and it is my official start to the holiday season! My friend Jan and I always head down to this charming town to get our Christmas wreaths. They are always plain and we jazz them up later!
There are beautiful baskets which we never buy because we are sure we will have time to make our own (and often don't!).
And those glorious winter berries.
Then we check out our favorite home-dec store, Gardenviews.
I loved these towels...
...and this tinsel tree had my heart a fluttering. (Bad backlighting!)
This one was pretty, too.
Lots of red and white this year! I think that's so cheerful.
And this pillow was tempting!
Love the little glittery houses -- and it's a reminder that I have one to paint and glitter myself!
And I can't resist a little snow fellow!
Or a jolly old elf, for that matter! (I sort of wish I'd bought this one!)
Nearby shop windows were enchanting.
Too bad we won't be around to see this! It looks fun!
Loads of pretty, loads of fun. Let's hear it for Frosty!
What's on your Christmas list?
Have you posted your letter to Santa yet? (Let's hope the government doesn't shut down till after the holidays.)
I've updated my Gypsy Caravan -- you can click here or on the menu tab above to order 5x7 and smaller note cards from my photos and watercolors. (Original watercolors coming soon!)
For the past I-don't-know-how-many years, my friend Jan and I have made the trip to the Northville Greens Market, the weekend before Thanksgiving, our official start to the holiday season. So, join me and the elves for a day in Northville!
Northville is a charming town about an hour from us and among its charms are our favorite store, Gardenviews, a delightful Walt-Disney-like feel and a nearby Trader Joe's. We always wrap our visit with a visit to Guernsey's, a restaurant with broasted chicken to die for.
We have experienced the Greens Market in a number of meteorological conditions -- sunny days, brisk but dry, subzero temps and windy. But we have never been there in a deluge.
Normally, I would share photos with you like this:
Or this:
But today it was just pouring rain, grab-and-go. So grab we did and then we headed for shelter at Gardenviews, which was a Christmas wonderland.
And it was a wonderland, filled with lots of pretty trees...
...tempting ornaments...
...adorable little glittery houses...
...and snowy branches of loveliness.
There were vintage Kris Kringles...
...and slightly more traditional Santas...
...and the right jolly old elf himself.
But most of all, it was warm, cheerful and dry!
And despite the rain (and later snow) it was glorious fun.
Every year the weekend before Thanksgiving, my friend Jan and I head to the charming town of Northville, MI for what I consider my official start to the holiday season. Our primary destination is the greens market where we get wreaths along with cuttings to make our own baskets.
After, we hit some of our favorite shops -- and we'll do that too, too! Read on!
The day before we left it was 73. But that morning it was cold and snowing. Sort of snow-rain-hail. Needless to say we bundled up!
There are scores of beautiful wreaths, festive baskets and kissing balls.
Of course, we're both into picking the best we can find. But when there are so many choices it is both easy and yet difficult!
I liked this heart shaped wreath but opted for the traditional circle.
Kids could even mail their letter to Santa!
Our favorite shop in Northville is one called Gardenviews. We've been coming here for years and years. It was as festive as you could imagine.
There were beautiful trees everywhere.
And lots of magical displays.
You won't forget about the magic of Santa here...
...nor will you miss some country charm.
And if your style is more formal, well, we saw that, too!
You'll find woodland joy in sweet animals...
...and lovely ornaments.
And if being at Gardenviews doesn't get you in the holiday spirit, I'm not sure what can!
As we left town I couldn't help but notice how charming it all was -- "The Snow Queen" at the theatre, the town clock with its wreath, the church on the corner and the American flag. Yes, even the town felt a little magical this day.
Onward! Let the holiday season begin. A Happy Thanksgiving to you and a Merry December!
