Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. – The Grinch
Christmas felt a little different when we moved to Arizona. I wasn’t necessarily concerned about the spirit. That is easy. The reason for the season doesn’t change, and honestly when we turn the radio to the Holly station, we feel all the feels. I wondered about the snow, the sledding, the reindeer, and the cute, winter sweaters I was missing out on.
It didn’t last long. We now tie jingle bells onto our flip flops, enjoy sledding on grassy hills, and we think with a southwest flair.
It is Christmas …the most wonderful time of the year.
This week, I am inspired by Amy of Lens-Artists as we share a bit of what celebrating might look like in different parts of the world. Terri of Sunday Stills encourages us to sing it out! Join me.
Welcome to a touch of…
Christmas in the Southwest
Baking: Christmas baking doesn’t change, we just use the mitten cookie cutter differently. After all… We need a little Christmas right this very minute.
Decorating: Santa Claus IS coming to town…
Morning walks: Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.
Hikes: Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock.
PS. This IS Bell Rock in Sedona. Apropos? I think so.
Reindeer: Rudolph has taken a back seat to Dominik the Donkey. Best. Song. EVER! It is worth the listen, and laugh. And gosh, isn’t a burro most symbolic of our season?
Traditions: Last year our annual Santa Hustle was canceled..for everyone else. Before dawn, I chalked the sidewalk with Christmas songs, and tied Santa hats to the light posts, to encourage neighborhood spirit. Fa la la la la la la la la!
I do hope you sang along, and found a new favorite in Dominik. But at the end of the day, none of that really matters. What matters is what brings a smile to your world in your ways. And for goodness sake, if… All you want for Christmas is your two front teeth. Then sing it out, and sing it loud.
Be reminded, there is no greater gift than the gift of time.
Wind Kisses, Donna
Wind Kisses 
Listening to Dominick now! 😀 Happy December!
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I figured you would be the only one to already know the song. Lol.
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Nooo, I didn’t know it! I was happy to get acquainted. 🙂
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Aww, Donna, I just loved this post and all the desert Christmas spirit you enjoy! With several of our family members living in various parts of Phoenix, we hope to see some Southwest Christmas cheer if we can take our winter road trip before the New Year. Lovely images of your Christmas traditions and songs!!
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Chihilly is at the Desert Botanical Garden right now. Put that on your list, if you come down.
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Hi Donna, I love your Christmas celebrating post! Fun and colorful. TheArizona snowball is really, really cool! 🙂
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All in good fun this time. Thanks Amy.
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Almost like an Aussie Christmas – without the cactus 🙂
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And I don’t have any happy Christmas trees. lol. My husband won’t pay $200 for a tree that will die in a week. lol. so I have to be creative .
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Creative trees are much better than shop bought real or fake 🙂
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Yes. I agree. When we were first married we didn’t have money for a tree . It was a fluffy branch from the yard and I loved that tree. Now I have a tree of different types in every room of my house, and I still think of that first tree. That’s the true spirit of Christmas.
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It’s a different sort of Christmas in some ways but the Reason for the Season remains the same. Just the symbols are different. I love seeing the Santa hats on the cacti. 🙂
janet
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I might head to Chihuly tomorrow….
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I’d forgotten about that. I need to see it. I saw the first one some years ago. He’s amazing!
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Yes. Clouds kept me home. Another day.
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It was a cloudy one but magnificent sunrise here.
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What a most beautiful post filled with Holiday Cheer from our beloved Southwest! I am a wee bit concerned for the desert snowball … yikes!
But I do love the Dominick Burro. I’m off to listen now.
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I have learned to love the desert during the holidays. I know you do as well. I love being outside, seeing the lights on foot, wearing t-shirts to decorate the house, and on and on. I know you can relate.
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I do! I really do!
🌵🎄🌵🎄
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Love this post so filled with holiday cheer. We are spending our second Christmas ever in Arizona thanks to the pandemic, so your post is a welcome reminder that Christmas is where the heart is. We’ll be home for Christmas, if only in our dreams.
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Thanks John. We have learned to love Christmas here. Two more things. It is snowing in Flagstaff as I write so if you need snow… And Chihully has arrived at the Botanical Garden. Donna.
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I saw the news about Chihuly and it is on my list to visit the gardens again.
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Your Christmas landscape is delightful – so very different from ours in Singapore even. I love the cacti juxtaposed with festive icons!
Was the Santa Hustle an community-wide event? So glad you’ve decided to keep it going!
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Yes. An annual event that was cancelled last year. In fact, this years event is Saturday. Looking forward to it. Thank you so much ju-Lyn. It IS a very different landscape from my upbringing too. We have grown to love it.
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Donna, you create the best posts! …I LOVE the donkey, and the song 🙂 …now I wish I lived in your neighborhood!!
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Always appreciate you Lisa. Thank you.
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Very cute post, Donna. Dominik was a hit for sure in this Italian household.
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Heard it for the first time last year. If feels so perfect for the desert too.
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True that.very cute!
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I’m a bit of a Grinch, but I loved your post. That wonderful last image I think says it all.
By the way, I don’t think I see your posts in the reader. I will try to visit your blog more often, because I see that I am missing a lot of things.
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No worries. I think sometimes WordPress does that. I’ve had a few friends say that and I have notice too, that I was certain I was following someone and…nope. We all figure it out. I think that’s why I love the “community “ I belong to.. names come back up and I can say…oh ya…. Let’s check in.
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Christmas in Arizona looks like a lot of fun!
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Christmas is fun anywhere. Lol.
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Dominic the Donkey is one of my favorites! Hee haw Hee Haw Hee Haw. Love the snow-capped mountains of Arizona because that is something many don’t know. Cheers to your Bell Rock creativity. Thanks for this feel-good post and for my reactions of smiles. Are you in northern Arizona?
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Hi frank. Those snow capped mountains were a real treat a few years ago. To be in shorts and see that in the distance is extraordinary .
We live in north Phoenix. Many of the burro photos I post are from Lake Pleasant, a short drive for me.
Thanks for always swinging by.
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🙂
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What a super post, full of the cheer of Christmas! You’ve proved you don’t need traditionally ‘seasonal’ weather to enjoy this time of year. Actually, I envy you your warmth – there’s a chilly wind blowing in London this week 🥶
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It took a bit of getting used to, but we do love it. We are continuing to walk our hill a few days a week in shorts.
I cut of tea in London sounds quite nice. We were there a few years ago the week they were decorating the streets. It was so festive. The store windows, the lights and signs above the streets, and the music. I’m not much of a shopper, but I loved going in the stores in that trip,
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Yes, London always makes a good effort to look festive 🙂
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You photos wouldn’t load from my phone last night, I’ll take a closer look at your celebration later today. Donna
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A really terrific post Donna! Dominik is a hoot (or would that be a hee-haw?!) but the little boy at the end with his missing two front teeth stole the day! A fun and festive read with wonderful images. And good for you for the fa-la-la! Happy Holidays to you and yours.
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I lived in Arizona until 2016. What a great state. My brother, niece and nephew are still there, along with a whole host of friends I worked with, before I retired. These are great pics!
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Thanks Dave, we love it here. Now go on…. continue with your celebrating. (Didn’t expect to hear from you, made me smile). Donna
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Great photos. ‘Two front teeff.’ (All I want…) Love the hat on cactus, Grinch, and snowball. I’ve seen a demo of those snowballs. They stick to ya’ and don’t let go!!!!!
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They do. Actually called “teddy bears” as they are so cuddly. Hmmm, only seems to those folks coming from out of town…who THINK they ARE cute. lol.. As hikers, we carry combs in our packs to get spines out. I have used them plenty of times, on others. (and yes, I am nice about it) Thanks for stopping by. Donna
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A christmas cactus! And a grinch. Neat 🙂
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