Flipping the calendar from November to December was always a big deal to me as a kid. The photo for November is subdued in most calendars, even if the calendar is 12 months of Weimaraners, like the one my grandma displayed in her kitchen. November would be a dog in a scarf, smoking a pipe, or something. December was full-on Santa hat, sleigh, etc. The holiday season started much earlier with my family, but by December 1, everyone is officially allowed to be jaunty.
Because I was the first and only grandchild for quite a while, my grandma went all out in making me two Christmas classics: a stocking and an Advent calendar. A quick glance at the family's stockings was all you'd need to see which one was mine. Stockings for "Mom" "Grandma" "Grandpa" and "Rick" (my uncle) were basic red felt with their names/familial titles written in paltry amounts of green glitter. But the one for "Marc" was something special. Twice the size of standard issue stockings, it was a canvas for my grandma to adorn with a handmade Santa and snowman. Each was covered in sequins and outlined in electric blue glitter. My name splashed across the top of the stocking in gold glitter like a marquee on Fremont Street.
My grandma made my Advent calendar in a similar motif. Instead of candy, each pocket of the calendar contained a handmade piece of glittered, sequined felt to hang on giant felt Christmas tree.
Some of the pieces make sense, others seem out of place, and a few are insane.
Gingerbread Man-- With two plastic "googly eyes" and no mouth, his tragicomic appearance made it seem like he was there against his will.
Plane, Train and Car-- Classic symbols of toys beneath the Christmas tree. These usually covered the middle of the tree.
Stocking-- Not nearly as flashy as my stocking, but very well made for its small size. Usually anchored somewhere on the right side of the tree.
Holly, Candle, Wreath and Christmas Tree--All of the pieces were well made and have survived 40 years. These were two of the best. I often wondered why you would want an ornament that looked like a Christmas tree on a Christmas tree, but I was too dazzled by its quality to go down the rabbit hole. The tree was always placed toward the bottom so as not to distract from other pieces. The candle was often placed beneath the Gingerbread Man to torture him.
Star-- A five-point star with a sequin on each point. Three sequins have survived. Always the last piece placed on the tree often with solemnity.
Drum-- A classic symbol marred by questionable color choices. Pink and lime green? I'm guessing grandma was running out of felt or wished I was a girl.
Angel, Santa and Rudolph-- This trifecta always appeared in the last week before Christmas. They always occupied the coveted top of the tree just under the star. Rudolph was always under Santa and the angel. The angel was always on the right side of the tree, my reason being that God would want her there, and to mess with that might jeopardize presents from Santa. The angel lost her sequined eyes in the 90s and now has a certain gravitas about her. I suppose grandma didn't want to mess with the potential spiritual implications of giving an angel "googly eyes." Or she may have just run out.
Rudolph was very mature-looking. A five-point buck with a red nose that didn't fit his majestic profile. He also had a sequin for an eye. A googly eye may have been too much embarrassment for him.
Partridge-- I was about 20 before I knew what this was. It's yellow and a bit abstract. I'm assuming grandma had to cut around "C'mon Get Happy" to make it.
Pig, Fish and Butterfly-- I think grandma started to run out of ideas here. Pig and fish may be tangentially conected to Christmas. Pig by the manger? Fish as the symbol for Christianity? Either way, bonus points for originality and "googly eyes." I never knew quite where to put the butterfly. It was made from the same felt as the partridge. Grandma probably had to cut around a logo for a 70s nursery or organic co-op to make it.
Apple-- Nod to Adam & Eve? Well made, but often one of the first pieces to get out of the way the first week of December.
Valentine Heart-- Sigh. Placed off to the side of the tree on December 2 or 3.
Brown Mushroom-- ???
Pink Mushroom- !!!! The same shape as a magic mushroom with colorful metallic leaves glued on it. I'm not sure what was happening. Did grandma see something I didn't? Does it explain all the sequins, glitter and googly eyes?
Unidentified Pink Amorphous Blob and Unidentified White Amorphous Blob-- You know, we had a Lava Lamp on our TV. Were Lawrence Welk and sleep deprivation involved? So many questions...
I've forgotten what the last piece is and I'm looking forward to finding out when I pull the calendar out of storage this week. Will it be a classic Christmas symbol? Or an unintended reference to Timothy Leary?
At any rate, it's December so tune in, drop out, tear open (the shutters) and throw up (the sash).
